How to Fix a Hole in Jeans

Don't throw away those comfy jeans just because they make a ripping sound every time you move. You can probably preserve your modesty with a strategically placed patch.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Straight Pins
• Needle
• Straight Pins
• Thread
• Scissors
• Iron
• Scissors
• Iron-on Patch

1. 

   Head to a fabric store to buy an iron-on patch large enough to cover the hole. With scissors, trim the patch so that it is about 1/2 inch (12 mm) larger than the hole in every direction (see A).

2. Center the patch over the hole and pin it in place.

3. Using an iron, press the patch onto the jeans according to the instructions on the package.

4. Thread a needle with strong thread and tie a knot.

5. To reinforce the patch, fold the jeans level with one edge of the patch, and whipstitch the edge of the patch to the jeans, making about 10 stitches per inch (2.5 cm). Pull the needle up through both layers of fabric, the jeans and the patch, with the needle at a slant, just a few threads from the edge. Loop the needle over the top of the edge to the back side of the jeans.

6. 

   When you reach the corner, refold the jeans and continue stitching the next side until all sides are stitched (see B).

7. Tie a small knot on the inside of the jeans. Snip off the extra thread, close to the knot you just made.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're short on time, you can simply iron on the patch without sewing it, or vice versa, but since patches on jeans are typically subject to a lot of stress, it's best to do both steps.
• If you use the sew-only method, you can use any sort of decorative fabric you'd like instead of a denim patch, though strong fabrics work best.

Who Can Help:

• Are you tired of cakey makeup? Try RawMinerals Free.

[Eagle]

on 4/2/2007 I don't know why my jeans alway have a hole below back pockets. This is the second jean that breaks a hole below the back pocket.
Actually I never put wallet into the back pockets.

Is there something related to sitting posture?

on 8/4/2006 With fashion being a fickle industry it's surprising that jeans have held out for so long. Especially when people seek out jeans with 'fashionable' holes in them. But what if you've been one of us unfortunate people who have had jeans form the 'unfashionable' hole in the inner thigh/crotch area?! It's a surefire way to burn cash and create embarrassment, not to mention false hope in iron-on patches and highly suspect sew-on jobs. But I've got the preventative solution for you out there! First of all, this type of hole is caused by the following:

- Denim fabric being stretched (ie. tight-fitting).
- Friction from chafing, either by the thighs or other close contact material (eg. bike and horse saddles).
- Perspiration or moisture (forget Shanghai Noon - wet silk may not break but wet jeans do).

Put all three together and that pair of 501's are a paint rag, an expensive paint rag that you hardly broke it, but a paint rag nonetheless. OK, so enough lecturing, here's the solution for prevention. You need the following:
- New or untorn jeans.
- The 'unfashionable' holey jeans (as evidence).
- Oil based clear polyurethane (go for low sheen, no glossy numbers).
- Mineral turpentine.
- Paintbrush with a bristle width of approx 1/2 inch or 10-15mm.
- Cardboard (ie. breakfast cereal box cutout).

Now here's the instructions:
- Place your new/unholey jeans on a surface where you can leave them undisturbed for several hours.
- Investigate your holey jeans for their tell-tale signs of wear-and-tear, this is so you get an idea of where this commonly occurs when you wear the out.
- Arrange the new/unholey jeans material to expose the outside area where the hole is likely to occur (until now, that is!).
- Place your cardboard inside the jeans, underneath the area to be painted, and between the fabric (so they don't adhere and permanently seal up).
- With your brush and polyurethane, paint the target area smoothly and with a thin, even coat. Don't paint too far out of the target area, this may look weird later on.
- When done, leave jeans to air dry (don't use hair dryers or heaters, see the flammable warning on the tin!), and make sure you leave a window or two open (phew!).
- Clean your brush with the turpentine ASAP (unless you've got a serious drinking problem, in which case go buy some more), otherwise your brush will stiffen harder than Viagra.
- Check after 2-3 hours. Re coat can be done typically after this time, but only if really necessary (it shouldn't be as the Denim will absorb it well enough).

And there you have it! Jeans ready for wear-and-tear. The result should be flexible (hence the thin coating) and machine washable/dry. I've had jeans last me for 3-4 years with this technique. However if symptoms persist, see your Personal Trainer and get a StairMaster!

on 11/22/2005 If you have a pair of jeans (or any other kind of pants for that matter) that has a hole in the knee, you can always cut the legs off above the knees, hem the edges, and turn it into a pair of shorts. Or you can cut the legs off completely, sew the bottom, and turn the whole thing into a purse. Jeans work best for this because they have so many pockets, but you can always make your own pockets by taking a patch and sewing the bottom and sides of it on and leaving the top open. Sew a zipper onto the waist and you have your own homemade purse!

on 11/22/2005 To keep a holey pair of jeans hip and stylish, don't even bother ironing or sewing the patch on! Safety-pin the patches in place, and when you get tired of them, you can always switch the patch for a new look.

This method should be used mostly for kneeholes or areas below the rear end. Safety-pinning patches onto holes in your seat can be weird-looking (and untrustworthy).