For many teenagers, the transition from high school to college involves moving away from home and settling into a dorm on campus. While this can be an eye-opening and exciting experience, you’ll now need to learn how to fix things yourself. Learning a few basic sewing techniques is genuinely one of the most helpful steps a student can take before leaving the nest—and they don’t even require a sewing machine. Here are a few simple tactics that might come in handy during an unexpected dorm emergency.

What Sewing Skills Should College Kids Learn?

1. Sewing a Button

Losing a button on a shirt or skirt isn’t uncommon. Fortunately, sewing on a replacement button is easy. To do so, simply thread a needle and knot the thread at the end. Then, immerse the needle into the fabric, through a hole in the button, into the button’s other hole, and then into the fabric again. Repeat this process until the button is tightly sewn, and then knot the remaining thread.

2. Hemming Your Clothes

Dealing with alterations can be problematic, especially if you’re on a budget or aren’t familiar with area tailors. Learning how to sew can prevent your pants from dragging along the ground, fix a dress that’s just slightly too long, and shorten sleeves that extend a bit too long for comfort. One of the most common hand-stitching techniques is the running stitch. You’ll simply pierce a needle through both layers of fabric, and then pierce it again a quarter of an inch away. Pull taut to create a single stitch, and continue in this manner until you have hemmed the entire piece. Then, pull the needle about halfway through a final piercing and push it through the open loop. Repeat this until you’ve created a secure knot.   

3. Replacing a Drawstring

Whether for fashion or practical purposes, students might decide to replace the drawstring in their yoga pants, sweatpants, pajamas, or shorts. It may come loose in the wash, or you might simply want to change the look of those clothes. To do so, you’ll need a seam ripper, which is a standard sewing tool, to create a small opening in the waist so that you can break the stitch that holds the drawstring in place. Then, insert the drawstring into a bodkin, another sewing tool, and pressure the device into the hole in the garment. Push it through so that it carries the drawstring with it, and then remove the bodkin when it emerges from the other drawstring hole.

Learning a few basic sewing techniques is an easy way for college students to feel more comfortable when they move away from home. If you’re ready to build a sewing kit, turn to The Sewing Center in Kalispell, MT. They carry everything that both novices and experts need, from quality sewing machines to reliable accessories to perform quick hand stitches. They also offer sewing lessons to help you build your skill set. Visit them online to learn more about their services, or call (406) 752-7058 to speak with a friendly representative.