How to Fix a Frayed Tear in a Shirt

Use a thread color that matches the shirt color.

Just because your shirt tears doesn't mean you have to discard it. Even if the tear has frayed edges, you can repair it with a patch. Although you can sew a patch onto a shirt with a sewing machine, doing it by hand is easier.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Iron
• Tape measure
• Patch
• Pins
• Sewing needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Cut around the tear, making a square or rectangle. Cut to a distance that's just outside the frays.

2. Measure the size of the rectangle or square hole and cut out a patch that's 1/2 inch bigger than the hole.

3. Place the patch over the hole, turn the shirt right side out and pin the patch in place. The pins should be placed 1/4 inch away from the edge of the patch.

4. Turn the shirt inside out again and thread the needle.

5. Push the needle through the patch and through the shirt at a point that's halfway between the pins and outside edge of the hole.

6. Push the needle back through the shirt and the patch. Keep the stitches an equal distant apart but close together. Continue sewing around the patch until you reach the point where you started.

7. Remove the needle and the pins.

References

• Martha Steward: How to Patch a Hole
• Wardrobe Advice; How to Sew a Patch on your T-shirt; 2008