Cigarette ashes, campfires, hot irons and other accidents can cause burn holes in clothing. Don't throw out the damaged clothes; instead, you can fix the burn holes in minutes.
Fixing Burn Holes With a Patch
Step 1
Find a spot on the clothing from which you can cut a patch. The backs of pockets and seam allowances, for example, are an ideal spot since they are not visible from the right side of the material.
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Step 2
Use a ruler and fabric-marking pen to measure and mark a patch that is 1/2 inch larger than the burn hole on all sides. Cut out the patch.
Step 3
Use scissors to trim away any burn marks and loose threads from the hole.
Step 4
Cut a 1/4-inch diagonal notch at each corner of the hole. Fold the edges toward the wrong side of the clothing and iron them flat on the ironing board.
Step 5
With the clothing still inside-out, place the patch on top of the hole. With dressmaker's sewing pins, pin the patch in place on the right side of the clothing.
Step 6
Using the sewing needle and thread, hand-baste around the entire patch. Keep in mind that basting is temporary and will be removed later. Remove the sewing pins.
Step 7
Turn the shirt inside-out-once again. Fold back 1/2 inch of the patch to the wrong side, aligning it with the folded edge of the hole.
Step 8
Insert the sewing needle through the folded edge of the patch, then through the folded edge of the shirt. This will join the two fabrics without showing a seam on the right side of the shirt.
Step 9
Repeat Step 8, working your way around the square.
Step 10
Finish the edges of the patch with a cross-stitch using the sewing needle and thread.
Step 11
Cut off the corners of the patch to reduce bulk.
Fixing Burn Holes by Darning
Step 1
Use scissors to trim away any burn marks and loose threads from the hole.
Step 2
Place the clothing on a flat surface.
Step 3
Thread the sewing needle. Start 1/2 inch from the side of the hole and 1/2 inch from the bottom of the hole, and sew a running stitch from side to side.
Step 4
Sew another row of running stitches as close as possible to the first row. Continue sewing horizontal rows of running stitches until you reach the burn hole.
Step 5
When you reach the hole, stitch a long thread over it, stitching back and forth until you have covered the entire hole with thread.
Step 6
Once you have covered the hole, continue stitching horizontal rows of running stitches 1/2 inch past the hole.
Step 7
Change direction and stitch vertically, starting 1/2 inch from the bottom and working your way to the top until you reach the hole.
Step 8
When you reach the hole, weave the vertical thread in and out of the horizontal threads, creating a woven patch.
Step 9
Continue stitching vertically until the stitches are 1/2 inch from the top of the hole.
Step 10
Knot the thread on the back of the clothing; then cut the thread.
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