How to Mend a Hole in Jeans by Hand

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Follow this quick guide to sew ripped jeans and patch up holes

Co-authored by David Pew and Mason Martinez, BA

Last Updated: April 14, 2024 Fact Checked

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Sewing Up a Small Hole

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Sewing on a Patch

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Video

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Expert Q&A

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Things You'll Need

Have you ever slipped on your favorite pair of jeans only to discover a hole in them? As frustrating as it may be, fixing them is a fairly easy task—and you don’t have to be an experienced tailor to get the job done! All you need is some thread, a heavy-duty needle, and patience. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to sew a small tear closed or patch larger holes with matching denim fabric with expert advice from Professional Tailor David Pew.

Best Way to Stitch a Hole in Jeans

Use fabric scissors to trim excess thread or frayed edges of the hole.
Thread a heavy-duty needle with all-purpose polyester thread and tie a knot.
Turn your garment inside-out and insert the needle below the hole.
Weave vertical straight stitches across the hole until you reach the end.
Tie off the thread inside your jeans to secure it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

How to Sew Up a Small Hole

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Before sewing over the hole, trim excess thread around the edges of the hole with fabric scissors. This will make it easier to sew the hole closed and reduce the visibility of the seam.^{[1]
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Thread a heavy-duty needle and tie a knot for security. Use all-purpose polyester thread that matches the color of your denim.^{[2]
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Research source} Slip the thread through the eye of a heavy-duty needle until about 18 inches (46 cm) extends from either side of the needle's eye. Then, cut the ends and tie a knot to secure.
- Use a 90/14 needle for light- and medium-weight denim or a 100/16 needle for heavyweight denim.^{[3]
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3
Turn the jeans inside out and insert the needle below the hole. Weave your needle from the inside of your jeans 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) from the hole. This anchors the thread at the strongest point in the denim, allowing you to fully cover the hole.^{[4]
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- If the denim isn’t strong enough on the edges, insert the needle 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the edge of the hole instead.
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Weave vertical straight stitches across the back of the hole. With your needle inserted, pull the thread through. Grab one edge of the hole with the needle and straight stitch across the hole to the other edge. Move the needle below the new stitch to create another vertical stitch. Repeat this process, working from side to side until the length of the hole is stitched.^{[5]
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- Tug on the thread after every few stitches to close the hole.^{[6]
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- A straight stitch allows you to move in and out of the fabric in a straight line to mend fabrics.^{[7]
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- Use a sewing machine's straight stitch or running stitch setting. Cut a small piece of fabric to act as a patch—don’t worry, the stitches will cover it! Move the fabric back and forth as you press on the machine’s peddle until the hole is secured.^{[8]
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After sewing the hole shut, add 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) worth of stitches to ensure the hole won’t rip again. Then, tie off the thread inside the jeans to secure the stitches..^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

How to Sew a Patch on Jeans

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1
Trim the hole's frayed edges and cut a piece of matching fabric. For a clean look, trim away the frayed edges of the hole with fabric scissors. Purchase a denim patch or use matching denim fabric. Measure the width and length of the hole and add 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) on all sides.^{[10]
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- For example, for a hole that’s 3 inches (7.6 cm) by 4 inches (10 cm), make a 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) by 4.5 inches (11 cm) patch.
- If the fabric is weak on the edges of the hole, add more length to your measurements to ensure you're sewing into strong areas of the denim fabric.
- Professional Tailor David Pew recommends finishing the patch's edges with a serger or pinking shears so the patch doesn't fray.^{[11]
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  David Pew
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- Alternatively, opt for patterned fabrics to upcycle your jeans and give them a brand-new look.
2
Apply fabric glue along the outside edges of the patch. Put a thin line of bonding web—or iron-on fabric glue—along the edges of the patch. Make sure you don't put the glue further in than 0.5 in (1.3 cm) inside the edges, or it will show inside the hole.^{[12]
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David Pew
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Expert Interview. 5 January 2021.}
- Alternatively, pin the patch in place, but remember to remove each pin as you sew.
3
Flip the garment inside out or slip the patch under the hole. It’s easiest to turn the garment inside out to attach the patch. However, you can also carefully slide the patch inside the leg of the jeans for the most subtle fix. Pew advises pressing the edges of the hole onto the glue on the patch's edges.^{[13]
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David Pew
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Expert Interview. 5 January 2021.}
- If you prefer, you can put the glue on the top of the patch.
4
Use a zigzag stitch to secure the patch's edges and fasten with a knot. Pew recommends a heavy-duty needle to sew tiny zigzag stitches so that they won't be visible.^{[14]
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David Pew
Professional Tailor

Expert Interview. 5 January 2021.} Poke the threaded needle through the front of the fabric and stitch a vertical line. Return to the starting point and move the stitch diagonally across. Bring the needle back through the front with a vertical stitch, make another diagonal stitch, and repeat for the length of the hole. When you’re done, fasten with a knot.^{[15]
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- A sewing machine works best for sewing a patch into place. Set your sewing machine to the zigzag setting, and sew around the outer edges of the patch to secure it.
- Be careful not to sew across the pins because this may damage your machine.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What do you use to patch jeans?

David Pew
Professional Tailor
David Pew is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. With over a decade of experience, David specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. He uses his experiences, skills, and eye for detail to produce the highest quality of products.

David Pew

Professional Tailor

Expert Answer

If you want the patch to be hard to see, use denim that's just a little lighter than the jeans. Usually, holes end up in areas that have seen a lot of wear, like the thighs, and these areas tend to be lighter in color. Also, if the jeans have threads that are two different colors, choose a thread that matches the lighter color.

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Question

Do you need to use glue if you sew on the patch?

David Pew
Professional Tailor
David Pew is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. With over a decade of experience, David specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. He uses his experiences, skills, and eye for detail to produce the highest quality of products.

David Pew

Professional Tailor

Expert Answer

Use bonding web, or iron-on fabric glue, to hold the patch in place. However, since that isn't a permanent solution, you still need to stitch the patch down.

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Question

Won't the sewing machine go through the back?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Most modern sewing machines have an arm feature. You will have an area just wide enough to slip the tube of fabric in place for sewing. Hand sewing is the only alternative if this feature is not available. Blanket stitching edges can prevent further fraying and add strength to the final seam. Look for denim thread, available at most fabric stores, to make an invisible repair.

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