Tear Mender

This is for all you non-sewers out there who find something ripped — an umbrella, a leather couch or a loose hem — and don’t know what to do. Tear mender is a permanent fix and it’s been around since 1932. It’s also probably for people who rip the crotch of their work slacks in such a way that it’s un-sewable but they are too cheap to buy a new pair— and you know who you are.

I sew, I am not a tailor, but I sew. So when I saw this at first I thought,  “What’s the point? Just go to a tailor if you can’t sew.” But, then when I was reading the write-up about it on Daily Grommet and all of the back and forth posts between Daily Grommet followers and Tear Mender’s founder’s grandson Jeff Cismoski, I was astounded by it’s uses. Plus, depending on the rip, sewing it up doesn’t always do such a great job. I realize I sound like a commercial, but with Tear Mender, not only can you mend a tear in an umbrella, patch up a leather couch or fix a loose hem, apparently you can fix moth holes in sweaters. I find those almost impossible to fix.

Invented in 1932 by Val “the Bish” Cismoski to help farmers quickly (and permanently) repair canvas belts on steam powered machinery, Tear Mender is still around today helping people out with his son, Jerry, at the helm.  It works by bonding permanently with porous surfaces. It sticks to non-porous surfaces too but rubs right off. Apparently, people use it as a substitute magnet on those new fridge’s that don’t take magnets. Rubs right off when you’re done.

The overarching helpful tip I gleaned from the Q&A with Jeff is that if you have a dime size plus hole/rip, you should also use a patch in conjunction with Tear Mender—put the patch in the back and do the repair from there. It takes 3 minutes to set and is non-toxic, permanent, and water-proof. All for $12.99. In addition to Daily Grommet, you can find it at most hardware stores and Jo-Ann Fabrics.