How To Sew A Hole In Jeans: 11 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 Mend a Hole in Jeans by Hand PDF download Download Article Follow this quick guide to sew ripped jeans and patch up holes Co-authored by David Pew and Mason Martinez, BA

Last Updated: March 28, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Sewing Up a Small Hole
    • |
  • Sewing on a Patch
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
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This article was co-authored by David Pew and by wikiHow staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. David Pew is a Professional Tailor based in Seattle, Washington. He owns his own tailoring business, Sew Generously, which he founded in 2013. With over 15 years 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 believes in creating garments with the finest materials that are built to last, and is a dedicated craftsman. Through Sew Generously’s website, David runs a blog, Stitching Confidential, where he writes on different topics in the tailoring, fashion, and art worlds. The business also hosts Sew Generously Galleries, quarterly art shows where they invite local artists to display their art, host workshops, and perform for the community at their shop. David received a BA in German and French from Western Washington University. There are 9 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 189,388 times.

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

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

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

How to Sew Up a Small Hole

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  1. Step 1 Trim the frayed edges with fabric scissors. 1 Trim the frayed edges with fabric scissors. 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]
  2. Step 2 Thread a heavy-duty needle and tie a knot for security. 2 Thread a heavy-duty needle and tie a knot for security. Use all-purpose polyester thread that matches the color of your denim.[2] 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. Step 3 Turn the jeans inside out and insert the needle below the hole. 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]
    • 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.
  4. Step 4 Weave vertical straight stitches across the back of the hole. 4 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]
    • Tug on the thread after every few stitches to close the hole.[6]
    • A straight stitch allows you to move in and out of the fabric in a straight line to mend fabrics.[7]
    • 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]
  5. Step 5 Tie off the thread inside your jeans. 5 Tie off the thread inside your jeans. 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. Step 1 Trim the hole's frayed edges and cut a piece of matching fabric. 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]
    • 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]
    • Alternatively, opt for patterned fabrics to upcycle your jeans and give them a brand-new look.
  2. Step 2 Apply fabric glue along the outside edges of the patch. 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]
    • Alternatively, pin the patch in place, but remember to remove each pin as you sew.
  3. Step 3 Flip the garment inside out or slip the patch under the hole. 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]
    • If you prefer, you can put the glue on the top of the patch.
  4. Step 4 Use a zigzag stitch to secure the patch's edges and fasten with a knot. 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] 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]
    • 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.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question What do you use to patch jeans? David Pew David Pew Professional Tailor David Pew is a Professional Tailor based in Seattle, Washington. He owns his own tailoring business, Sew Generously, which he founded in 2013. With over 15 years 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 believes in creating garments with the finest materials that are built to last, and is a dedicated craftsman. Through Sew Generously’s website, David runs a blog, Stitching Confidential, where he writes on different topics in the tailoring, fashion, and art worlds. The business also hosts Sew Generously Galleries, quarterly art shows where they invite local artists to display their art, host workshops, and perform for the community at their shop. David received a BA in German and French from Western Washington University. David Pew 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. 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 2 Helpful 4
  • Question Do you need to use glue if you sew on the patch? David Pew David Pew Professional Tailor David Pew is a Professional Tailor based in Seattle, Washington. He owns his own tailoring business, Sew Generously, which he founded in 2013. With over 15 years 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 believes in creating garments with the finest materials that are built to last, and is a dedicated craftsman. Through Sew Generously’s website, David runs a blog, Stitching Confidential, where he writes on different topics in the tailoring, fashion, and art worlds. The business also hosts Sew Generously Galleries, quarterly art shows where they invite local artists to display their art, host workshops, and perform for the community at their shop. David received a BA in German and French from Western Washington University. David Pew 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. 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 1 Helpful 2
  • Question Won't the sewing machine go through the back? T. Chinsen 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. 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 3 Helpful 11
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Things You’ll Need

Sewing a Small Hole

  • Fabric scissors
  • All-purpose polyester thread or similar matching thread
  • 90/14 needle for light- and medium-weight denim or a 100/16 needle for heavyweight denim

Sewing a Patch Over a Large Hole

  • Fabric scissors
  • Ruler or measuring tape
  • Denim patch or matching denim fabric
  • Heavy-duty needle
  • Serger or pinking shears, optional
  • Bonding web, iron-on fabric glue, or sewing pins
  • Sewing machine, optional

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References

  1. ↑ https://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/3-ways-to-mend-holes-in-blue-jeans/
  2. ↑ https://www.seamwork.com/sewing-tutorials/a-guide-to-sewing-denim
  3. ↑ https://www.seamwork.com/sewing-tutorials/a-guide-to-sewing-denim
  4. ↑ https://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/3-ways-to-mend-holes-in-blue-jeans/
  5. ↑ https://www.gathered.how/sewing-and-quilting/sewing/how-to-sew-a-hole
  6. ↑ https://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/3-ways-to-mend-holes-in-blue-jeans/
  7. ↑ https://cyberseams.com/sewing/sewing-basics/how-to-sew-by-hand-basic-stitches/
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/bc16SQ8YqwY?t=116
  9. ↑ https://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/3-ways-to-mend-holes-in-blue-jeans/
More References (6)
  1. ↑ https://www.americanpatch.com/about/do-it-yourself/sew-on-patches/how-to-sew-a-patch-on-jeans/
  2. ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/RHO3qdujMcw?t=41

About This Article

David Pew Co-authored by: David Pew Professional Tailor This article was co-authored by David Pew and by wikiHow staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. David Pew is a Professional Tailor based in Seattle, Washington. He owns his own tailoring business, Sew Generously, which he founded in 2013. With over 15 years 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 believes in creating garments with the finest materials that are built to last, and is a dedicated craftsman. Through Sew Generously’s website, David runs a blog, Stitching Confidential, where he writes on different topics in the tailoring, fashion, and art worlds. The business also hosts Sew Generously Galleries, quarterly art shows where they invite local artists to display their art, host workshops, and perform for the community at their shop. David received a BA in German and French from Western Washington University. This article has been viewed 189,388 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 8 Updated: March 28, 2025 Views: 189,388 Categories: Sewing Repairs Article SummaryX

To sew a hole in your jeans, start by trimming away the frayed edges. Then, thread a needle with thread that’s as close as possible to the color of your jeans and tie a knot at the 18-inch mark. Use the threaded needle to sew stitches into the denim around the edge of the hole, taking care to sew 0.5 inches away from the edge so it holds together. Tuck the thread inside your jeans as you go, and tie the thread off on the inside of your jeans when you've sewn all the way around the hole. To learn more, including how to sew a patch over a large hole, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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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. David Pew Co-authored by: David Pew Professional Tailor Co-authors: 8 Updated: March 28, 2025 Views: 189,388 100% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote

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