If an intact loop has caught on the outside of a knitted school jumper, guide it to the inside with a small hook. Leave the loop attached. Cutting it can turn one snag into two loose ends that are harder to secure.

A small hole in a medium-weight or heavier knitted jumper can be covered with a woven darn if the surrounding stitches are stable. Fine knits may need a finer or knitted repair, since a woven darn can feel noticeably firmer. A darn builds a bridge of yarn across the gap. For a ladder of unravelling stitches, secure the live loops or seek a knit repair before trying to weave over them.

If a ribbed jumper cuff has opened where its two ends meet, the repair needs to close the seam and still let the cuff expand over the hand. First make sure the thread at the join failed and the ribbing itself has not torn or started to unravel.

For a missing flat button on a woven school shirt, match the spare to the buttonhole before sewing. Use the old thread marks to locate the button and check the shirt closes without a diagonal pull across the placket.

A shank button has a loop on the back. Sew through that loop and the fabric beneath, keeping the button aligned with its hole. Before replacing a school blazer button, check whether a spare from the school uniform shop is needed to match the colour, crest or design.

A sew-on press stud has holes around each half for stitches. Reattach the loose half through those holes after checking that the two pieces still snap together. If the stud is crimped through the cloth and has no sewing holes, use the correct replacement method for that type or take it to an alterations service.

A missing pull tab is an easy problem to mistake for a broken zip. If the slider still joins the teeth and stays closed, the pull may be all you need. If the teeth separate behind the slider, or the tape and teeth are damaged, fitting a new pull will not restore the closure.