How to Fix a Drawstring on Sweatpants

If the drawstring on your sweatpants is broken or has slipped out, you don't have to spring for a new pair. This quick fix requires only moderately deft hands and a few household items.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drawstring Or Extra-long Shoelace
• Safety Pin

1. Call your local fabric store to find out if it sells cord that can be used as a drawstring; alternatively, use an extra-long shoelace. Be sure it's at least 12 inches (30 cm) longer than the sweatpants' full waist size.

2. If the drawstring is broken, pull out both pieces.

3. Knot one end of the new drawstring--the end that will not be pulled through the waistband.

4. Attach a safety pin securely to the other end. The pin should be as large as possible, but small enough to slide through the opening and the elasticized waistband.

5. Push and pull the safety pin through the waistband by repeating the motion of using one hand to scrunch up the fabric and the other hand to pull it taut.

6. When the safety pin, to which the drawstring is still attached, has gone all the way around the waistband and reappears, remove the pin and knot the drawstring so that it can't slip out. The operation is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to repair a broken drawstring unless the break is very near the end of the string. It will be too weak when it's reknotted or mended.

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[hollyhood314]

on 4/17/2009 thanx i just used this!

[ph3iron]

on 12/22/2006 What do you do if one end has disappeared 3-4" in and you can't withdraw the whole string? Thanks - p

on 8/8/2006 I take a flexible wire, about half the size of a clothes hanger (2 to 3 feet long) and bend a small U on one end. Then I take the drawstring and place the tip end into the U of the wire. Then I crimp the U, so it holds the string tight. I wrap the U with an inch piece of tape, so it doesn't catch on the article of clothing. I thread the other end of the wire through the garment and pull the wire through, thus pulling the drawstring with it. It takes about 20 seconds to thread it through this way.

on 6/30/2006 Take a flexible wire about half the size of a clothes hanger (2 to 3 feet long) and bend a small 'U' on one end. Then take the drawstring and place the tip end into the 'U' of the wire. Crimp the 'U' so it holds the string tight. Wrap the 'U' with a I inch piece of tape, so it doesn't catch on the article of clothing. Thread the other end of the wire through the garment and pull the wire through, thus pulling the draw string with it. It takes about 20 seconds to thread it through this way.