How to Repair a Hole in a T-shirt With Zigzag Stitch Techniques

You're heartbroken because your favorite T-shirt is beginning to show serious signs of wear. Take heart and don't throw that treasured shirt out quite yet. If you have a sewing machine, you can easily mend the hole, and your t-shirt will be good for many more wearings.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine with a regular foot
• Thread in a matching color
• Iron-on interfacing, white or off-white
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut a round piece of iron-on interfacing slightly larger than the hole in the t-shirt.

2. Turn the t-shirt inside out and iron the interfacing on the inside of the shirt.

3. Choose thread that matches the color of the t-shirt as closely as possible. If you have difficulty finding an exact match, it's best to choose a color that is slightly lighter than the t-shirt because the zigzag stitch will make it appear slightly darker.

4. Set the sewing machine on a narrow zigzag stitch. Put the needle in the fabric at the top of the hole and stitch to the other end of the hole. Reverse and zigzag back to the beginning point.

5. Repeat stitching backward and forward several times until the hole is completely covered with the thread. Clip the threads.

Tips & Warnings

• If the hole is large, set the zigzag on a wider stitch. If you have difficulty covering the hole, make the stitch length smaller.

• If the hole is very tiny, you may be able to repair it by applying Fray Check to the edges. This will prevent a tiny hole from getting larger.