How to Fix the Knees of Worn-out Jeans
Extend the life of a pair of jeans by repairing the worn-out knee section. A purchased iron-on patch can cover this tattered area quickly. Either hand- or machine-stitching can prevent the patch from separating from the jeans. A patch can even add a personal touch to jeans with or without worn knees. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Straight pins
- Needle for hand-sewing
- Thread
- Scissors
- Iron
- Iron-on patch
- Sewing machine
- Machine needle for denim fabrics
Instructions
-
Preparation
-
1
Trim the excess threads or frayed sections surrounding the hole.
-
2
Select an iron-on patch that measures at least 1/2 inch larger than the hole in the jeans. Trim the patch to the desired shape.
-
-
3
Pin the patch to overlap the fabric.
Stitching by Hand
-
4
Use tiny whip stitches, at least five stitches per inch, to hand-sew the edge of the patch in place. Pull the needle at a slant as the loops form over the top and through to the wrong side of the jeans. You may need to fold the bulk of the fabric to allow your hand easy access through the leg opening or the waist opening.
-
5
Remove all the pins.
-
6
Set the iron to the temperature setting indicated on the iron-on patch instructions.
-
7
Smooth the fabric. Press the patch.
Machine Sewing
-
8
Set the sewing machine to either a straight-stitch or a zigzag stitch setting.
-
9
Edge-stitch the patch through both layers. Remove each pin just before the material passes through the needle.
-
10
Knot and trim the threads.
-
11
Smooth the fabric. Press the patch.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Select a needle that penetrates the fabric's thickness or heaviness.
Not all sewing machines can sew through thick denim.
References
- Photo Credit denim star image by Antony McAulay from Fotolia.com
