How to Fix a Hole in Distressed Jeans

You don't have to toss a pair of vintage jeans after a rip.

It's hard to part with your favorite pair of jeans, but you may find yourself mulling the unthinkable when the inevitable happens — a hole. Grungers may appreciate the look, but if you'd rather your jeans look whole again, fix them to look almost as good as new.

Things You'll Need

• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Denim fabric remnants
• Decorative iron-on patches
• Iron

Instructions

1. Stitch up the hole with a simple straight seam using a sewing machine. Pin the two sides of the hole together — with pins about 2 to 3 inches apart — and then use a sewing machine to stitch them together. Stitch forward until you get to the end of the seam; then back-stitch to secure it in place.

2. Cut out a piece of denim fabric from a pair of old jeans using scissors. Stitch the denim patch over the hole. Use a simple stitch along the seam or a zig-zag stitch to secure it in place.

3. Fuse a decorative iron-on patch to the hole with an iron. This not only fixes the tear, but adds a little character and color to the jeans as well.

References

• Sewing & Craft Alliance: Simple Seaming Techniques
• Mademan; How to Repair Vintage Destroyed Jeans; Getitnow; July 2010