<p>The "Stitching" on the edge of your sleeve, is actually a strip of fabric, that was folded around the raw edge of the loden cloth, and sewn to the loden cloth. </p>

<p>This strip of fabric is called "Binding". (it's not piping, because there's no cord running through it. The puffiness comes from the thickness of the boiled wool loden cloth inside it). </p>

<p>The binding on your coat has a knit construction, making it flexible.</p>

<p>If I wanted to fix this coat by hand, I would find some yarn (worsted wool, cotton, or synthetic) that matches the binding (yarn comes in a great range of colors and weights) and sew it over the binding with a close-set blanket stitch. The blanket stitch creates a binding, because it wraps around the edge of the jacket. So it will cover the frayed part of the old binding. 
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0a/d3/91/0ad391d598c823cf864f51ff6f30edfc.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0a/d3/91/0ad391d598c823cf864f51ff6f30edfc.jpg</a></p>

<p>Blanket stitch is easy to learn - find a youtube video. Use a heavy crewel embroidery needle.</p>

<p>Fiber choice - For durability, avoid rayon. Nylon and polyester are strongest. Choose yarn or binding that is smooth/firm/tight rather than fuzzy/soft/loose, for dirt and abrasion resistance. (cuff is subject to dirt and abrasion). Avoid eyelash, chenille, and other novelty yarns. Worsted (tightly twisted) wool sheds dirt.</p>

<p>Binding examples</p>

<ul>
<li>Jute foldover braid
<a href="http://www.dritz.com/quilting-sewing-supplies/home-decor/decorative-accents/trims/44220/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.dritz.com/quilting-sewing-supplies/home-decor/decorative-accents/trims/44220/</a></li>
<li>Foldover braid <a href="https://www.vintagetrims.com/collections/braid-flat" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.vintagetrims.com/collections/braid-flat</a>  </li>
<li>Knit wool binding
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/485483369/12-wool-ribbon-126-yard-knitted-ribbon?ref=market" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.etsy.com/listing/485483369/12-wool-ribbon-126-yard-knitted-ribbon?ref=market</a></li>
<li>Worsted wool twill tape <a href="http://www.wmboothdraper.com/TapeLace/indexwithnav.html?tapelace.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.wmboothdraper.com/TapeLace/indexwithnav.html?tapelace.htm</a></li>
<li>Bias tape <a href="http://www.joann.com/wrights-x-wide-double-fold-bias-tape/prd34710.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.joann.com/wrights-x-wide-double-fold-bias-tape/prd34710.html</a></li>
<li>One way to attach bias tape <a href="http://sewtospeak.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-attach-bias-tape-with-mitered.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://sewtospeak.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-attach-bias-tape-with-mitered.html</a></li>
</ul>

<p>Yarn examples</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/supplies/patons-classic-wool-worsted-yarn/46556" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/supplies/patons-classic-wool-worsted-yarn/46556</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Brava_Worsted_Yarn__D5420219.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Brava_Worsted_Yarn__D5420219.html</a> </li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-14T06:49:17.260Z
2017-05-24T07:36:30.663Z
2017-05-24T07:36:30.663Z
Robin L.
<p>In order to answer, I want to back up a minute, and explain a bit about how loden fabric is made. Loden is a type of felted/fulled wool fabric, which means that an original fabric is created by weaving or knitting (per <a href="http://www.landauprinceton.com/loden-coats/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this website</a>, loden fabric is woven). Once the fabric has been created, you basically get the fabric wet and then abuse it mercilessly until the wool yarn attaches itself to its neighboring yarns, and shrinks in size. This creates a dense, fairly waterproof, hard-wearing fabric. </p>

<p>This fabric is what is used for the body of your jacket--however, fulled/felted wool fabric is not particularly flexible and so instead of using the felted fabric to make the piping on the edges of your sleeves, the manufacturers used fabric made by knitting the yarn that matches the jacket color in stockinette stitch (they actually used two types of yarn when knitting, matching wool and some sort of embroidery silk or cotton, but I can't really tell what the other yarn type is from this picture).  </p>

<p>The knitted fabric was then wrapped around a cord of some sort (it looks dark brown or black in the pictures), and then sewn closed to make piping. Imagine that the inner cord is a hot dog, and the knitted fabric is the hot dog bun. The knitted bun is wrapped around the hot dog and then fastened closed at the top so that you can no longer see the hot dog at all. This piping was then sewn onto the sleeve edges (actually, this is where the hot dog analogy breaks down, unless you can imagine a very long flexible hot dog that is bendy enough to make a circle the exact diameter of the cuffs of your jacket).</p>

<p>I think you will have a very difficult time finding materials that are an exact match to the sleeve that doesn't need repair, so I would recommend doing the same thing on both sleeves.</p>

<p>Basically, I would take a sharp pair of scissors, and cut the cuffs off of each sleeve. As long as you cut the felted fabric, the edge will remain nice and neat, because felt does not ravel. You can find some woolen fabric that you think will look good with the jacket, and create new piping for the sleeves (there are lots of good tutorials for creating piping--<a href="https://www.thespruce.com/create-your-own-piping-2978445" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here's one</a>).  Then re-sew your piping to the cuffs of the sleeves.  </p>

<p>You could also look for pre-made piping and sew that to the sleeve cuffs yourself. However, most pre-made piping is used for home decor, and might not hold up to laundering or look right with the jacket. You could look on a site like Etsy to find someone who makes piping out of a variety of fabrics--maybe you can find someone to make something to your specifications, so that you can use a fabric that is appropriate to your jacket.</p>

<p>There are a few other thoughts that I have about potential repairs, but I think this is going to be your best option for long term durability. </p>

<p>Edited to add:  After reading @Robin L.'s response, I think she is correct that this is not a piped edge treatment, but simply knitted fabric wrapped over the edge of the sleeve.  I think that her suggestion for blanket stitching with a matching yarn is a good option (and much simpler than mine). I actually have a boiled wool jacket myself that has sleeves finished with blanket stitch.    </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-12T17:49:46.660Z
2017-05-15T14:55:29.377Z
2017-05-15T14:55:29.377Z
magerber
<p>Both sleeve ends of a jacket end in this type of stitching, which after a decade, is starting to come apart. The jacket itself is Tyrolean, made of <em>loden</em>, which is a type of melton wool. I don't know what the yarn used for the hem is, but the thicker one is almost certainly a wool.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/3YX1Q.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/3YX1Q.jpg" alt="Outside, mostly intact"></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/qusyq.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qusyq.jpg" alt="Inside"></a>
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/xupOb.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/xupOb.jpg" alt="Deterioration"></a></p>

<p>How could a novice sewer like me go about replicating and fixing this by hand?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-12T15:05:20.453Z
I wonder if this should be two questions. One to ask about identifying the stitching and technique. Another about the feasibility of sewing it. The latter right know if phrased looking for yes/no. I imagine you would be looking for more information than that.
Matt
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-12T15:12:18.457Z
Thanks, @Matt ... I've tried to re-word it to ask only one question in the body.
David
<sewing><clothing><technique-identification>
Does this type of hemming have a name, and is it fixable by hand?
David
# Does this type of hemming have a name, and is it fixable by hand?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-12)

Both sleeve ends of a jacket end in this type of stitching, which after a decade, is starting to come apart. The jacket itself is Tyrolean, made of *loden*, which is a type of melton wool. I don't know what the yarn used for the hem is, but the thicker one is almost certainly a wool.

[![Outside, mostly intact](https://i.sstatic.net/3YX1Q.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/3YX1Q.jpg)
[![Inside](https://i.sstatic.net/qusyq.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/qusyq.jpg)
[![Deterioration](https://i.sstatic.net/xupOb.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/xupOb.jpg)

How could a novice sewer like me go about replicating and fixing this by hand?

**Tags:** sewing, clothing, technique-identification

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I wonder if this should be two questions. One to ask about identifying the stitching and technique. Another about the feasibility of sewing it. The latter right know if phrased looking for yes/no. I imagine you would be looking for more information than that.  
> **username_0**: Thanks, @username_1 ... I've tried to re-word it to ask only one question in the body.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-05-14. Score: 7 | Accepted answer

The "Stitching" on the edge of your sleeve, is actually a strip of fabric, that was folded around the raw edge of the loden cloth, and sewn to the loden cloth.

This strip of fabric is called "Binding". (it's not piping, because there's no cord running through it. The puffiness comes from the thickness of the boiled wool loden cloth inside it).

The binding on your coat has a knit construction, making it flexible.

If I wanted to fix this coat by hand, I would find some yarn (worsted wool, cotton, or synthetic) that matches the binding (yarn comes in a great range of colors and weights) and sew it over the binding with a close-set blanket stitch. The blanket stitch creates a binding, because it wraps around the edge of the jacket. So it will cover the frayed part of the old binding.
<https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0a/d3/91/0ad391d598c823cf864f51ff6f30edfc.jpg>

Blanket stitch is easy to learn - find a youtube video. Use a heavy crewel embroidery needle.

Fiber choice - For durability, avoid rayon. Nylon and polyester are strongest. Choose yarn or binding that is smooth/firm/tight rather than fuzzy/soft/loose, for dirt and abrasion resistance. (cuff is subject to dirt and abrasion). Avoid eyelash, chenille, and other novelty yarns. Worsted (tightly twisted) wool sheds dirt.

Binding examples

* Jute foldover braid
  <http://www.dritz.com/quilting-sewing-supplies/home-decor/decorative-accents/trims/44220/>
* Foldover braid <https://www.vintagetrims.com/collections/braid-flat>
* Knit wool binding
  <https://www.etsy.com/listing/485483369/12-wool-ribbon-126-yard-knitted-ribbon?ref=market>
* Worsted wool twill tape <http://www.wmboothdraper.com/TapeLace/indexwithnav.html?tapelace.htm>
* Bias tape <http://www.joann.com/wrights-x-wide-double-fold-bias-tape/prd34710.html>
* One way to attach bias tape <http://sewtospeak.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-attach-bias-tape-with-mitered.html>

Yarn examples

* <https://www.craftsy.com/knitting/supplies/patons-classic-wool-worsted-yarn/46556>
* <http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Brava_Worsted_Yarn__D5420219.html>


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-05-12. Score: 5

In order to answer, I want to back up a minute, and explain a bit about how loden fabric is made. Loden is a type of felted/fulled wool fabric, which means that an original fabric is created by weaving or knitting (per [this website](http://www.landauprinceton.com/loden-coats/), loden fabric is woven). Once the fabric has been created, you basically get the fabric wet and then abuse it mercilessly until the wool yarn attaches itself to its neighboring yarns, and shrinks in size. This creates a dense, fairly waterproof, hard-wearing fabric.

This fabric is what is used for the body of your jacket--however, fulled/felted wool fabric is not particularly flexible and so instead of using the felted fabric to make the piping on the edges of your sleeves, the manufacturers used fabric made by knitting the yarn that matches the jacket color in stockinette stitch (they actually used two types of yarn when knitting, matching wool and some sort of embroidery silk or cotton, but I can't really tell what the other yarn type is from this picture).

The knitted fabric was then wrapped around a cord of some sort (it looks dark brown or black in the pictures), and then sewn closed to make piping. Imagine that the inner cord is a hot dog, and the knitted fabric is the hot dog bun. The knitted bun is wrapped around the hot dog and then fastened closed at the top so that you can no longer see the hot dog at all. This piping was then sewn onto the sleeve edges (actually, this is where the hot dog analogy breaks down, unless you can imagine a very long flexible hot dog that is bendy enough to make a circle the exact diameter of the cuffs of your jacket).

I think you will have a very difficult time finding materials that are an exact match to the sleeve that doesn't need repair, so I would recommend doing the same thing on both sleeves.

Basically, I would take a sharp pair of scissors, and cut the cuffs off of each sleeve. As long as you cut the felted fabric, the edge will remain nice and neat, because felt does not ravel. You can find some woolen fabric that you think will look good with the jacket, and create new piping for the sleeves (there are lots of good tutorials for creating piping--[here's one](https://www.thespruce.com/create-your-own-piping-2978445)). Then re-sew your piping to the cuffs of the sleeves.

You could also look for pre-made piping and sew that to the sleeve cuffs yourself. However, most pre-made piping is used for home decor, and might not hold up to laundering or look right with the jacket. You could look on a site like Etsy to find someone who makes piping out of a variety of fabrics--maybe you can find someone to make something to your specifications, so that you can use a fabric that is appropriate to your jacket.

There are a few other thoughts that I have about potential repairs, but I think this is going to be your best option for long term durability.

Edited to add: After reading @username_2 L.'s response, I think she is correct that this is not a piped edge treatment, but simply knitted fabric wrapped over the edge of the sleeve. I think that her suggestion for blanket stitching with a matching yarn is a good option (and much simpler than mine). I actually have a boiled wool jacket myself that has sleeves finished with blanket stitch.


---

