11 EVERYDAY CLOTHING REPAIR HACKS You'll Actually Use, by Jady Kreativ on YouTube. 18 min 47 s.
- Video length
- 18 min 47 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Turn the jeans inside out and lay the hole flat on a table. Snip away loose, fuzzy threads around the edge with small scissors so you can see the real shape of the hole.
Cut a denim scrap a little bigger than the hole. Slide it behind the damaged area and pin it in place, or iron a fusible repair patch onto the inside for support.
Thread your needle with a length of heavy polyester thread about the width of your forearm. Double it and tie a knot at the end.
Push the needle up through the fabric just outside the hole edge, then straight across the gap and down the other side. Repeat in close parallel lines until the gap is covered.
Weave a second set of stitches across the first ones at right angles, going over and under the threads. This makes a small woven grid that holds the patch and closes the tear.
Pull each stitch gently so the denim lies flat. Stop if the fabric starts to pucker, and loosen the last stitch slightly.
Finish on the inside with two small backstitches, then tie a knot close to the fabric and trim the thread tail.
Press the repaired spot with a warm iron on the inside, or over a towel, to flatten the stitching. Turn the jeans the right way out and check the patch looks even.
Tips and common mistakes
Pick thread slightly darker than the denim, because lighter thread shows every stitch.
Wear a thimble on your pushing finger, since denim is thick and needles slip easily.
Keep stitches loose enough to let the denim flex, or the repair will pull apart in the wash.
Wash repaired jeans inside out on a cool cycle and skip the tumble dryer to protect the stitches.
Questions
Can I fix a hole in jeans without a sewing machine?
Yes. A simple woven darn with a hand needle and strong thread holds up well on small holes and thin worn spots. It takes a bit longer but needs no machine.
What if the hole is larger than a coin?
Back it with a denim patch or iron-on repair patch first, then stitch over the area. Very large rips across the knee are better patched on a machine or by a tailor.
Which thread should I use?
Use polyester or polyester-cotton thread labelled heavy duty. Standard cotton thread snaps too easily on thick denim seams.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
