TM 10-8400-201-23 2-5.  REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF UNIFORMS-Continued (3) Patching Garments may be patched by either the iron on or stitched patches. (4)  Sewing  machine  repairs,  stitching  and  restitching.    All  sewing,  except  emergency  repair,  shall  be  machine  sewn. When ends of machine stitching type 301 are not caught in other seams or stitching, they shall be backstitched not less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) at each break. Ends of a continuous line of stitching shall overlap not less than 1/2 inch (1.27  cm).    Thread  breaks  (all  stitch  types)  shall  be  repaired  by  stitching  back  of  the  break  not  less  than  1/2  inch (1.27 cm).  Thread tension shall be properly maintained to avoid loose stitching and locks shall be imbedded in the center of the material sewn.  Thread breaks in edge stitching shall be overlocked not less than 3/4 inch (1.91 cm) at each break.  Stitch spacing used for restitching and type of seams, shall be the same as in all construction.  Seams with loose and/or weak thread shall be restitched.  For illustrations of the various types of stitches used, see FED STD.-751.  The following types of stitch, thread size and stitches per inch 2.54 cm) are required for the repair (table 2-3). Table 2-3.  Stitching Instruction ITEM NO. LOCATION STITCH TYPE THREAD STITCHES NEEDLE BOBBIN PER INCH 1 and 2 GENERAL 301 50/3 50/3 10-14 1 and 2 GENERAL 401 50/3 50/3 10-14 1 and 2 OVEREDGE 502 50/3 50/3 6-10 STITCHING 503 504 1 and 2 *BARTACKS BARTACKS 50/3 50/3 28 PER BARTACK 1 and 2 *BUTTONHOLES BUTTONHOLES 50/3 50/3 44-46 PER BUTTONHOLE 1 and 2 *BUTTONS 101 OR 50/3 20-24 PER BUTTON 301 50/3 50/3 14-16 PER BUTTON 1 and 2 *EYELETS EYELET 50/3 50/3 19-24 PER EYELET MACHINE * May be repaired by hand using double ply of 50/3 thread. (5) Patching and darning.  Patching and darning may be applied to any area of the two Items.  Repair small tears not more than 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) across with a darning or zigzag stitch. Patch holes with a diameter of 1/4 inch (0.635 cm) or more.  Repair rips, tears, and thin areas greater than 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) by patching.  Patches shall be limited to a maximum of 2 Inches (5.08 cm) in the greatest dimension.  Patches shall match the garment in color and type of material.  Insert patch under damaged area; cut away damaged area and turn edges under approximately 3/8 inch (0.952 cm).  Cut patch large enough to extend not less than 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) and not more than 1 inch (2.54 cm) around the perimeter of the opening with 3/8 inch (0.952 cm) turn-under of all edges except salvage edges.  Pre-cut all patches to provide for symmetry.  Materials shall be those specified in section III. (a)  Buttons.    Replace  missing,  loose,  or  damaged  buttons  with  buttons  conforming  to  those  listed  in  section  III. Attach the buttons securely and aligned with eyelet of respective buttonholes. 2-9