How to Fix the Strings on Shorts if They Fall Out

Lost your drawstring?

Most people have had the drawstring on a pair of shorts (or pants) fall out, for various reasons. It can be frustrating when you try to reinsert the string or elastic cord into the tiny holes that are cut into the waistband of your shorts. Even if you do manage to get the tip of the string back into the hole, you still have to thread the string through to the other side to the opposite hole. Using a safety pin makes the process much easier.

Things You'll Need

• Safety pin
• Drawstring

Instructions

1. 

   Attach a safety pin to one end of the drawstring.

   Stick a safety pin to the end of your drawstring and insert the pin (with the string attached) into the drawstring hole in the waistband of your shorts.

2. Push the safety pin in as far as you can. Grab the tip of the safety pin with one hand, and then bunch up as much of the fabric (closest to the hole) as possible with your other hand.

3. Work the safety pin deeper into the channel, as far as it will go, and then pull the bunched up fabric taut, back along the string.

4. Move the safety pin down the drawstring channel with your fingers. Keep bunching up the fabric behind the safety pin, and then pulling it taut along the string. Repeat these steps until you reach the end of the drawstring channel and can pull the string out.

Tips & Warnings

• Different kinds of fabric will present different challenges, depending on the size of the drawstring, and the hole it has to pass through. It can take a few minutes to work a string back into a pair of shorts, so be patient. You’ll get there eventually.