How To Insert A Drawstring: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Thread a Drawstring Back into Clothes PDF download Download Article Get a drawstring back into a hoodie, shorts, or anything else Co-authored by Mia Danilowicz and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked

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  • Using a Safety Pin
    • |
  • Using a Straw or Chopstick
    • |
  • Using Other Tools
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
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  • Tips
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This article was co-authored by Mia Danilowicz and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 754,022 times.

Drawstrings on things like sweatpants, hoodies, or bags have a tendency to slip out of their casings. Luckily, putting them back is a cinch! We’ll show you how to quickly and easily reinsert a drawstring with just a safety pin. If you don't have one on hand, we’ll also show you how to use a straw, coat hanger, bodkin, and other household items.

Rethreading a Drawstring

  1. Secure the end of the drawstring to a safety pin or paperclip.
  2. Insert the safety pin into one of the clothing’s eyelets.
  3. Bunch the fabric around the pin and pull the pin through the casing.
  4. Remove the pin from the drawstring and tie knots on both ends.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Using a Safety Pin to Insert a Drawstring

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  1. Step 1 Secure a safety pin to 1 end of the drawstring. 1 Secure a safety pin to 1 end of the drawstring. Use a large safety pin so it's easier to handle and feed through the casing. Ensure that the safety pin will fit through the casing and secure it about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) from the end of the drawstring.[1]
    • If you're buying safety pins, look for skirt pins, which are larger and sturdier than standard safety pins.
    • Also, if the drawstring is lost partway inside the casing, just pull it all the way out. It’s easier to reinsert it completely than to fish it out.

    Variation: If you don't have a safety pin, use a paperclip! Thread the end of the drawstring through the paperclip so it's snug.

  2. Step 2 Insert the safety pin into the eyelet. 2 Insert the safety pin into the eyelet. Pro tailor Mia Danilowicz says to push the safety pin into the closure, clasp-side first.[2] To do this, first find the eyelets, which are the circular openings where your drawstring comes out. Push the safety pin into 1 of the eyelets until it’s totally inside the drawstring casing.
    • Again, this process is easier if you insert the paperclip so that the metal clasp, rather than the looped end, goes in first.
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  3. Step 3 Scrunch the fabric and pull the safety pin through the casing. 3 Scrunch the fabric and pull the safety pin through the casing. Now, Danilowicz says to work the safety pin through.[3] Hold the safety pin in place with 1 hand and use your other hand to scrunch the fabric casing toward the pin so it bunches up. Then, hold the safety pin in place with your other hand and pull the bunched up fabric away with the opposite hand.
    • It's important to hold onto the safety pin so you don't lose it inside the casing.
    • Repeat this until the safety pin comes out of the other end of the fabric casing.
  4. Step 4 Remove the safety pin and knot the ends of the drawstring. 4 Remove the safety pin and knot the ends of the drawstring. Pull the drawstring until both ends are equal lengths. Then, remove your safety pin. If you'd like to prevent the drawstring from sliding back into the casing, tie a large knot at each end of the drawstring.[4]
    • Make the knots larger than the eyelets so the drawstring doesn't slip back in the casing.
    • This also works for making a drawstring bag! Just thread 2 drawstrings through the bag’s casings so that one drawstring’s ends are on the opposite side of the bag from the other string’s ends.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Using a Straw or Chopstick to Thread a Drawstring

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  1. Step 1 Insert 1 end of the drawstring into a straw and staple them together. 1 Insert 1 end of the drawstring into a straw and staple them together. A sturdy straw can make this process easier. First, insert 1 end of the drawstring about 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) into a straw. Then, staple the string in place inside the straw to make sure it doesn’t come out.[5]
    • Don’t worry—the staple will come out easily without much damage to the drawstring. If you don’t want to or can’t staple it, though, secure them together with a bit of tape.
    • This works with any sturdy, long, and thin object. For straw alternatives, tape the drawstring to a chopstick, knitting needle, or crochet hook.
  2. Step 2 Feed the straw through one eyelet and out the other. 2 Feed the straw through one eyelet and out the other. Now, hold the straw with one hand and stick the straw into the drawstring holes. Once inside, use your free hand to bunch the drawstring casing down around the straw, threading the straw through the casing and out the other side.[6]
    • This works best with a straight, non-bendy straw. If you’re using a bendy straw, use scissors to cut off the bendy part before you thread it through.
  3. Step 3 Separate the straw and drawstring, and tie knots in the drawstring. 3 Separate the straw and drawstring, and tie knots in the drawstring. Once the drawstring is clear through the casing, remove the straw from the string. Use a staple remover to get rid of the staple, or peel back the tape, if you used it. Then, tie a knot in both ends of the drawstring to make sure it doesn’t come out again.
    • Make sure your knots are larger than the eyelets to prevent the drawstring from coming out.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Using Other Tools

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  1. Step 1 Use a bodkin to save time and effort. 1 Use a bodkin to save time and effort. This small tool looks like a large, dull sewing needle with a large hole or clamp at the end. Push about 4 inches (10 cm) of the drawstring through the hole and then push the bodkin through the casing of your garment. If your bodkin has a clamp on the end instead of a large hole, open it and put the end of the drawstring under it before you clamp it closed.[7]
    • Bodkins are handy for this purpose since they’re smooth and well-sized, which makes them easier to handle and push through the drawstring casing.
  2. Step 2 Bend a wire hanger to make a hook for pulling the drawstring through. 2 Bend a wire hanger to make a hook for pulling the drawstring through. If you'd like to make a sturdy tool that you can use again and again, find a wire coat hanger. Untwist the hook and shape it into a long straight wire. Then, clamp the very end of the wire around one end of the drawstring. Push the hook end of the wire through the eyelet and keep pushing the wire until the drawstring comes out the other side.[8]
    • Feel free to bend the wire as you feed it through the casing, especially if you're inserting the drawstring through the rounded part of a hoodie.

    Tip: Use caution when you're pushing the wire through the fabric since you don't want to accidentally rip the material.

  3. Step 3 Wrap the drawstring around a pen with a pocket clip. 3 Wrap the drawstring around a pen with a pocket clip. If you can't find a safety pin, straw, or hanger, look for a pen or mechanical pencil that has a pocket clip and wrap the drawstring around the clip. Then, slide the writing end of the pen through the casing—just make sure the inky tip isn’t exposed. Feed the pen through the fabric and pull it through the casing until the pen and drawstring come out of the other end.[9]
    • Ensure that you're using a pen with a pocket clip so you don't accidentally push an exposed tip through your fabric.
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Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question The end of my drawstring is frayed, making it hard to use the safety pin. What can I do? Community Answer Community Answer Make a knot at the frayed end of the drawstring and insert the safety pin behind the knot. You can also buy a cheap toothbrush with a hole at the end of the handle, break the head, smooth it with an emery board, and pass the string through the hole and use that. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 22
  • Question How do I put it in without using a safety pin? Community Answer Community Answer If the drawstring is already hard around the end (using the plastic tube-like thing), then you can insert and use that to pull it. If not, then put a thick piece of duct tape around it so that it is hard and you can grab it. I have also used bobby pins in the past. To do this, put the bobby pin on the drawstring and tape it on. Then use it as you would the safety pin. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 15 Helpful 10
  • Question What do I do when the safety pin falls open in the middle of pulling the drawstring through? Community Answer Community Answer You can close the pin while it is inside. It is common for it to open up inside. You'll need to adjust it while inside so you can pin it again. Push it back if going forward or pinning it is getting too tiring. Going backwards won't have it get stuck. Do it with a bigger pin after you get that out. Make sure to push the lower end of the pin up while in the case and not to hold the top side. Or, you can remove the stitch with a seam ripper or scissors to remove the pin. Then you can sew the opened stitch again. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 11
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Video

Tips

  • If you don't want the drawstring to slide around or come out, find the middle of the drawstring while it's in the casing and stitch it in place. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 5
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References

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/XN5_cIymyA8?si=ExQpflroGq7Oy4bM&t=15
  2. ↑ Mia Danilowicz. Master Tailor. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ Mia Danilowicz. Master Tailor. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN5_cIymyA8&t=25s
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-OE3LxVkGk&t=12s
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN5_cIymyA8&t=92s
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/bVJmIhEGmA8?si=knrl3Mr6SgGVae20&t=74
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/dF9_-OlmhU8?t=193
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/lMGQWUs-ajo?t=22

About This Article

Mia Danilowicz Co-authored by: Mia Danilowicz Master Tailor This article was co-authored by Mia Danilowicz and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management. This article has been viewed 754,022 times. 7 votes - 86% Co-authors: 33 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 754,022 Categories: Featured Articles | Sewing Repairs In other languages Portuguese Spanish Dutch Chinese Hindi Korean Vietnamese Czech Japanese
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Reader Success Stories

  • Shay B.

    Shay B.

    Feb 23

    "Safety pin method worked for me; it was a pair of scrub pants. It was tricky when I got to the other eyelet, but..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Mia Danilowicz Co-authored by: Mia Danilowicz Master Tailor Co-authors: 33 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 754,022 86% of readers found this article helpful. 7 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote Shay B.

Shay B.

Feb 23

"Safety pin method worked for me; it was a pair of scrub pants. It was tricky when I got to the other eyelet, but..." more Angie Kelly

Angie Kelly

Nov 9, 2022

"The safety pin and paperclip wouldn't work due to extra small eyelet hole and snagging. The straw method was..." more Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson

Nov 20, 2019

"This might be the best thing I've ever seen on the internet! I just used the biggest cotter pin in the garage..." more Judy G.

Judy G.

Feb 13, 2017

"Worked perfectly! The drawstring had fallen out of a sweatshirt in the wash, and this helped me reinsert it quickly..." more M. Y.

M. Y.

Jan 27, 2023

"The safety pin method only took me about 3 minutes on a really thick hoodie! Thank you so much!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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