Elbow Tears on Dress Shirts

[Joffrey]

Lately, I have found some tears on some of my dress shirts. The damage are basically horizontal tears approximately wear my elbow rests when my arms are bent at work (typing or hands resting on table/chin). This has happened to two older shirts of mine (2-2.5 years old) and I found a small one on a more recent shirt of mine (~1.5 years old). Can someone confirm what this damage is? I'm thinking it's simply due to age. I wear the shirts quite often (once a week) but I think they are decent quality (Jcrew). Is there a neat way to fix this?

The folks that do clothing alterations for me put these ugly patches on the first two shirts that had this problem (which I will relegate to undersweater usage or toss out) so I would rather avoid this fate for the current shirt that has this problem. I am wondering how come a simple sewing of the tear wouldn't do?

 

[grimslade]

It's wear, and it's hard to fix, since the surrounding fabric may be compromised as well, and even in the best case you'd have to sew it back together.

The only real solution is to sand down your elbows, which are obviously too sharp.

 

[imatlas]

Originally Posted by grimslade

The only real solution is to sand down your elbows, which are obviously too sharp.

+1

 

[Joffrey]

Originally Posted by grimslade

It's wear, and it's hard to fix, since the surrounding fabric may be compromised as well, and even in the best case you'd have to sew it back together.

The only real solution is to sand down your elbows, which are obviously too sharp.

Thanks! Do you have any brand recommendations on how or where to get my elbows sanded? And by how much? I did a search and couldn't find anything.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by Jodum5

Thanks! Do you have any brand recommendations on how or where to get my elbows sanded? And by how much? I did a search and couldn't find anything.

I think 80 grit should be about right. The paper paper is cheaper, but plastic paper lasts longer and can be used wet.

 

[82-Greg]

Originally Posted by grimslade

I think 80 grit should be about right. The paper paper is cheaper, but plastic paper lasts longer and can be used wet.

Remember after using 80 grit, you have to step down in stages to a fine grit to get the nice smooth finish you're looking for.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by 82-Greg

Remember after using 80 grit, you have to step down in stages to a fine grit to get the nice smooth finish you're looking for.

That's true, actually. If you don't finish with at least 220, your formerly sharp elbows will now be rough elbows, which will abrade your shirtings and defeat the purpose.

 

[Cary Grant]

While my esteemed colleagues have it generally correct, I think you'll get a better result by cold-grinding to remove the flesh layer and give a basic reshape to the bone first. Saves labor.

Then start with 80 grit to 220- WET SANDING to finish.

 

[Joffrey]

awesome! I'll post pics of my progress this weekend.