Jeans are a lot of people’s favorite article of clothing, but they do still rip and tear occasionally. Learning how to fix ripped jeans isn’t difficult and it usually involves tips on how to fix a hole in jeans since holes are very common. Learning how to fix ripped jeans’ knees is also beneficial, but all of these repairs are easier than you think.
Denim jeans are comfortable and casual, and they even come in different shades of blue. When you find yourself with a pair of jeans that is ripped or torn, the good news is that you don’t have to throw them out because there are numerous ways to repair them so you can wear them once again.
Learning How to Fix Ripped Jeans or How to Fix a Hole in Jeans
The thing is, it’s not the end of the world when your favorite pair of jeans has holes or tears in it. In fact, when learning how to fix ripped jeans, you’ll find there is more than one way to do this. This means you can keep those jeans and decide for yourself the best way to get them back into shape again.
The method you’ll use to repair your jeans will depend on the type and severity of the rip, and what you want the jeans to look like when you’re done. Below are some of the easiest ways to repair an otherwise good pair of jeans.
This method isn’t entirely invisible, but it’s a simple way to sew stitches that are fairly undetectable. The first thing you’ll want to do is trim any frayed edges around the hole with a sharp pair of scissors. Then, place the jeans inside out and find a scrap of denim that matches the jeans as closely as possible.
Place that piece of scrap material face down to make sure the hole is covered completely. You can use something like a basting stitch or a fusible type of material first if you like, but this isn’t a requirement. Once that is completed, go ahead and turn the jeans right side out and sew them with a sewing machine.
Using this method for how to fix a hole in jeans, you’ll find that either a straight stitch or a zig-zag stitch works best. Always use a thread that matches the color of your jeans, and always stitch in the direction of the fabric weave of the jeans. This way, the stitching will look much neater and the patch will be more permanent.
In many ways, sewing ripped jeans by hand is the easiest method to use. If the tear in your jeans is clean and you haven’t lost any fabric yet, stitching the jeans by hand makes more sense and is a lot faster as well.
To start with, take fabric-mending tape and apply it underneath the area that is damaged. Use an iron to apply the tape, then find some thread whose color matches the jeans themselves. Using the overcast stitch, sew over the edges of the rip, then trim any extra fabric from the tape on the inside of your jeans.
If you wish to know how to fix ripped jeans’ knees, this isn’t likely the method you want to use since knee tears are usually very large. But for smaller and “cleaner” rips and tears, this is a good method to choose.
Embroidery thread is nice and thick, usually having six strands of thread per piece. In most cases, all you need are two of those strands for it to be thick enough to sew a pair of jeans securely. With this method, all you have to do is take a patch of fabric and put it behind the hole, then use the embroidery thread to sew the patch to the jeans.
The advantage to this method is that you can use any design you like. In fact, you can easily get very creative with embroidery thread, even using different colors so that the design stands out a little better. If you have an older pair of jeans you want to spruce up a bit, using embroidery thread is the way to go.
Repairing your favorite pair of jeans doesn’t necessarily require a sewing job; instead, you can take a patch and iron it over the hole or tear. There are lots of iron-on patches on the market today, and some of them even come in many different shapes, designs, and colors.
There are advantages and disadvantages to using an iron-on patch when learning how to fix ripped jeans. For one thing, it is super-easy and fast, and unless you decide otherwise, there is no real need to sew the patch on after you iron it onto the fabric.
The disadvantage, however, is that this is usually the most temporary method of repairing your torn jeans. Unless you choose to sew the patch on after ironing it, it is not likely to remain on the jeans for very long. Nevertheless, it is still a good method of repairing torn or ripped jeans.
If you do decide to sew the patch on after you iron it, use the zig-zag stitch for the best results.
Instead of using a patch of fabric or fusible tape, you can actually learn how to fix a hole in jeans using only thread and a needle. The only thing to remember is that you should only use this method when the holes are small and they aren’t running along any seam.
Darning is similar to weaving, and you always start on the underside of your hole. Start by sewing many rows of straight, vertical stitches, and stitch over the entire hole. Always go back and forth sewing in parallel lines that are as close together as you can get them.
Once you realize that the entire hole is covered with vertical stitches, take the thread and weave it in a horizontal fashion, stitching several rows that are perpendicular to the stitches you’ve already sewn. What this does is form a pattern of weaving that will eventually fill in the entire area of the hole.
If you have a darning loom, you can use it for this method, but you can also darn by hand if that’s what you prefer.
Sashiko embroidery is a Japanese type of embroidery that produces an attractive and decorative stitch. The first thing you’ll want to do is select a patch of fabric, and since this is a unique type of design, feel free to choose a patch that is a different color than your jeans are.
The patch has to cover the entire hole, including its borders. Take your patch and sew it under the hole. Take four strands (or more) of embroidery thread and an embroidery needle that is quite large. Then, sew running stitches that are parallel to the edge of the fabric’s side.
At this point, you’ll want to continue sewing your parallel stitches until your patch is filled. It results in a very unique and interesting type of stitch.
How to Fix Ripped Jeans’ Knees: Make It a Little Easier
Learning how to fix ripped jeans’ knees can be a challenge because a hole at the knee is a little different than a small tear or rip on another area of the jeans. This is a tad different than learning how to fix a hole in jeans that is only a small hole.
Since holes in the knee tend to be large, the first thing you’ll want to do is choose a fabric or patch that is the right size. Ideally, you’ll want a patch or piece of fabric that is bigger than the hole itself, preferably half-an-inch bigger or even more.
When you’re sewing the piece of fabric or patch onto the hole, let it overlap so that it covers a larger area than just the hole. Once you sew it on properly, you’ll be able to cut off the excess to a length that is sufficient.
When you’re doing this, never cut too close to the stitch you used to sew on the patch. If you do, you might accidentally cut one of the stitches and the patch or fabric might start to unravel at some point. Leave at least 1/4 inch of space between the very edge of the fabric and the stitches. You can leave more if you like.
Tips for Making Sure the Sewing Job Looks Nice and Neat
When you’re learning how to fix ripped jeans or even how to fix a hole in jeans that is quite large, there are certain tips you can utilize to ensure the job will look much neater when you’re done. These include the following:
- Always make sure the hole is clean when you first get started. Trim all frayed edges with a sharp pair of scissors so the hole looks as neat as possible.
- Unless you’re trying to be decorative, always use thread that is as close to the color of your jeans as possible.
- If you choose to use old scraps of fabric instead of a store-bought patch, save anything you have left over for future projects.
- While hand-sewing is an option, keep in mind that using a sewing machine for sewing denim usually produces much neater and tighter stitches.
- If you can, use a store-bought patch instead of just a scrap piece of fabric because it’s easier to make sure you cover the hole completely.
- When you use glue and tape for fusible tape or other sewing materials, remember these are temporary measures so you’ll need to sew the patch afterwards to keep it secure.
- If you’re going to sew by hand, consider using the drawing stitch. This type of stitch allows you to stitch in different patterns so that it looks like a design and not just a stitch over a hole.
- Consider using unique patches or fabric pieces for a more one-of-a-kind look, such as pieces of lace, patches that come in different shapes, etc.
If your rip or tear is a basic tear and isn’t that big, it’s worth it to go ahead and sew it by hand. If you tried to sew it with a sewing machine, it would be too cumbersome and likely too time-consuming as well. On the other hand, larger holes, such as the ones that often occur at the knee area, are best done with a sewing machine. Zig-zag and straight stitches usually work best, but you can try other types of stitches if you prefer that.
Should You Repair Your Jeans?
Generations ago, men especially worked in their jeans and therefore, they went and had the pants repaired when they started to tear and rip. Recently, that trend has returned not just for practical reasons, but also because jeans with sewn-on patches are becoming very trendy. Repairing your jeans can save you tons of money throughout the years and besides, it’s the perfect solution because it beats throwing out a super-comfortable worn-out pair of jeans!
Of course, if you absolutely hate to sew or don’t own a sewing machine, you can always bring your jeans to a tailor and let them repair them instead. The costs for the repairs will be minimal, and the job will be done to perfection every time.
In Summary
Determining how to fix ripped jeans is a good skill to learn because it beats having to buy a brand-new pair of jeans and then getting used to them all over again. If you want to know how to fix a hole in jeans, just know that hand-sewing is usually best for smaller holes, but larger holes usually are easier with a sewing machine. If you want to know how to fix ripped jeans’ knees, which are usually the largest tears, it’s usually best done when you use either a piece of leftover fabric or a store-bought patch.
