How to patch the torn front pocket of denim pants, by Flora Halipot channel on YouTube. 3 min 21 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 21 s
- Time to do it
- 25 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Turn the jeans inside out and pull the pocket bag out so the tear is easy to reach. Check whether the hole sits in the pocket bag itself or along the pocket opening.
Trim loose threads and frayed edges around the hole with small sharp scissors. The patch sits flatter on a clean edge.
Cut a patch from scrap denim or cotton twill about 1 inch larger than the hole on every side. Round the corners so they do not fray.
Pin the patch over the hole on the inside of the pocket bag. Keep the fabric grain of the patch straight and smooth the pocket flat as you pin.
Sew around the edge of the patch with a straight stitch, about 1/8 inch from the raw edge. Backstitch at the start and end to lock the seam.
Add a second row of stitching close to the first, or run a zigzag stitch over the patch edge, to stop the fabric fraying in the wash.
If the tear runs along the pocket opening, sew along the original seam line to close it. Topstitch through the denim so it matches the other pocket.
Trim any loose threads, turn the jeans right side out and press the pocket flat with a warm iron.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a denim needle, size 90/14 or 100/16, so the machine does not skip stitches or bend the needle on thick seams.
Unplug the machine and keep your fingers clear of the needle when you change it or reach under the presser foot.
Test the stitch length and tension on a scrap of the same fabric before you sew the patch in place.
Match your thread to the denim colour if you want the repair to blend in, or pick a contrast colour for a visible mend.
Questions
Can I fix a torn pocket without a sewing machine?
Yes. Use a backstitch or blanket stitch around the patch edge with a hand needle and doubled thread. Work small, even stitches so the patch stays flat.
Will the patch show from the outside?
No, if you sew it on the inside of the pocket bag. You may see a faint outline through the denim, but the pocket opening and outer seam stay the same.
What if the tear is right at the pocket opening?
Sew along the original seam line to close the split, then topstitch through the denim to match the other pocket. A patch on the bag alone will not fix an edge that has pulled apart.
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.
