Repairing a tear in jeans is simple. You can sew a small hole using a needle and thread, or you can sew a larger tear using a patch, some matching colored thread and a sewing machine. If you have jeans that just need a little repair, sew the hole and they'll be almost as good as new!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Sew a Small Hole
Step 1. Trim the frayed edges
Before you mend the tear, trim the excess thread along the edges. This will make it easier to mend the hole and the seam will be less visible. Do not cut the fabric around the hole. Cut only the frayed part.
Step 2. Thread the needle
Use a thread that is as close as possible to the color of the fabric. This will help make the seam less visible. A sturdy thread is the best choice when it comes to sewing denim fabric. Pass the end of the thread through the eye of the needle, then pull it until you have approximately 46 cm of thread on both sides.
Step 3. Knot the thread
Cut the thread to a length of 46 cm on both sides. Then, tie the two ends together. By doing this, the thread will remain anchored inside the jeans when you sew.
Step 4. Thread the needle 1.3 cm from the edge of the tear
Start by inserting the needle from the inside of the jeans about 1.3 cm from the hole. This allows you to cover it all with the thread which, in turn, will remain anchored in a firm point of the fabric.
If the denim is not very strong at 1.3 cm, insert the needle 2.5 cm away from the tear
Step 5. Weave the thread on the fabric along the edges of the hole
Start by making stitches across the area just next to the tear and continue inward. Insert the needle about 0.64 cm from the top of the tear to about 0.64 cm from the bottom. When the needle comes out of the bottom of the hole, it goes back retracing the stitched area back to the starting point.
Step 6. Work through and over the hole
Continue weaving the thread into and out of the fabric on the sides of the tear. After a few stitches, occasionally pull the thread lightly to close the hole. Continue like this until you reach the point 1.3 cm on the other side of the tear.
Step 7. Tie the thread inside the jeans
Once you are done stitching the hole, insert the needle through the denim at the point at 1.3 cm. Then, tie the thread on the inside of the fabric to secure the stitches.
Method 2 of 2: Sew a Patch over an Extended Hole
Step 1. Trim the frayed edges
A patched hole will look neater if you cut the frayed hems first. Use a sharp pair of scissors to trim the excess threads, but don't cut the fabric. Leave the surrounding tissue intact.
Step 2. Cut out a piece of similar colored denim fabric to cover the hole
You can purchase denim patch material in a similar color to yours or a similar denim fabric. Either way, you'll need to cut the material to the size you need to patch up the tear. Measure the hole and add 2.5cm for each measurement. This way you will have about 1.3 cm of extra fabric beyond the tear area.
- For example, if the hole you want to mend measures 7.6cm by 10cm, you will cut out a patch that measures 10cm by 13cm.
- If the fabric around the hole is weak, add a few extra inches to the measurements you took to make sure you sew where the denim fabric is solid.
Step 3. Carefully place the patch over the hole and pin it in place
Place it in such a way that the outside of the denim is visible. Then, secure it well with pins that you will put along the sides of the patch.
Step 4. Sew around the edges of the patch
To sew a patch in the right position, the best thing to do is to use a sewing machine. Set the machine to zigzag stitch and sew around the outside sides of the patch to secure it.
