How to Mend: How to Patch a Hole in Jeans or Pants

Don't throw out those favorite pair of jeans with holes or rips! This tutorial will show how to fix ripped jeans and pants using a sewing machine.

We acknowledge that teens' current trend is to purchase pre-ripped denim jeans! If you prefer wearing jeans without holes and bringing them new life, this tutorial is for you.

The patched clothing can be worn for working in the yard, in the car, or when nice pants aren't necessary. Save the pants and jeans that are in good shape for other occasions.

If you are looking for a tutorial on patching a small tear near the pocket, check out our How to Patch Small Holes in Pants tutorial. This is another method of less visible mending to repair a small rip.

Can you sew a hole in your pants by hand sewing?

It is possible to hand sew a hole in pants if the hole is small. 

The excess frayed threads need to be trimmed away to reduce the visibility of the seam that will be made. It is important not to cut into the good fabric.

A small amount of fabric glue can help close a small hole while you hand stitch it for reinforcement.

With a needle threaded in a color that matches the fabric of the pants as closely as possible, insert the needle from the back one-quarter to one-half inch from the side of the hole so that the good and strong fabric is being sewn.

A ladder stitch is the best stitch for a small hole in pants. For a refresher, look at our tutorial on the ladder stitch.

The repair should end past the rip.

Although it is possible to repair pants with a store-bought iron-on patch alone, this is a temporary fix as the adhesive doesn't stick long.

This tutorial uses a sewing machine to patch jeans or other pants. A sewing machine creates a strong jeans repair, especially if the hole is large.

Watch the video tutorial to learn several techniques for repairing jeans and other pants, or scroll down for thorough written step-by-step instructions complete with pictures.

two techniques to fix ripped jeans and pants

Darning technique

Supplies needed to patch a hole in jeans or pants using the darning technique

• Sewing machine
• Thread to match damaged pants
• Denim sewing machine needle
• Store-bought iron-on patches (or make a patch as described in the next section)
• Scissors

Instructions for using the darning technique to repair a hole in Jeans or pants

This darning technique works well for small holes in jeans or other pants. It is a strong repair that lasts for years.

Step 1: Trim excess threads from the torn area

The first step is to carefully remove the frayed area in and around the hole or rip in the pants. A clean and clear area is needed for the patch to adhere nicely.

Cut away any loose threads around the hole using scissors until the edge is clean.

Step 2: Adhere iron-on patch under the hole

Trim the iron-on patch larger than the hole in the jeans. It is important to have the patch large enough so the edge can adhere to the pants.

Place the patch inside the jeans, directly under the hole, with the adhesive side up. 

Take the pants to the ironing board. Be sure to place a piece of scrap fabric over the hole so the patch does not stick to the iron. Activate the adhesive on the patch by using an iron set at the temperature given in the directions for the store-bought patch.

Step 3: Stitch over the hole and the patch

Thread your sewing machine with matching thread to the pants, and use a denim sewing needle. If you want a more decorative patch, use the sashiko thread method and stitch decorative stitches around and across the patch.

If your sewing machine has a darning stitch, set it to sew. Stitch across the hole and then set the length of the darning stitch. The stitch will stitch vertical lines back and forth the length you set. Each pass moves the needle one click to the right. The stitch finishes once the needle moves all the way to the right side.

If you don't have a darning stitch on your machine, use a straight stitch to stitch straight lines back and forth across the hole with the sewing machine. You can simulate the darning stitch by stitching across the entire hole and moving the needle over one click. Then, stitch in reverse back across the hole to the starting point. Keep moving the needle over one click and stitching forward and backward until the darning stitch covers the entire hole.

As you stitch, the patch is caught in the stitching.

Once you have completed stitching, remove the leg from the sewing machine. The patch is finished, and the pants are ready to wear!

Machine-sewn patch technique for larger hole

Supplies needed to sew a patch to the front of the jeans:

• Sewing machine
• Thread to match pants
• Denim sewing machine needle
• Old jeans, pants, or strong and durable fabric
• Heat 'n Bond
• Scissors
• Pin

Instructions for repairing jeans or pants with a sewn-on patch made from old fabric

I save old pants for craft projects. For this tutorial, I will pick old pants with fabric and color similar to those to be patched and make my patch material from them.

Step 1: Trim excess threads

It is important to carefully remove the frayed area in and around the edges of the rip. A clear area is needed for the Heat 'n Bond to adhere properly and strengthen the repair.

Cut away any threads around the hole using scissors until the edge is clean.

Step 2: Cut a Patch and Heat 'n Bond to fit

In this tutorial, a denim patch is cut from an old pair of jeans. Any strong denim fabric will work. If you prefer a more decorative patch, select a fabric different from the pants.

Cut a patch larger than the hole to be repaired in the jeans from the old pants or heavy broadcloth.

Once the patch is cut from old jeans or other durable fabric, use it as a pattern to cut a piece of Heat 'n Bond the same shape and size.

Adhere the Heat 'n Bond to the back side of the patch using an iron. Once the fabric is cool, score the paper layer of the Heat 'n Bond with a pin and remove it.

Step 3: Fuse the patch to the front of the jeans

It's a good idea to place a piece of scrap denim fabric into the pant leg to prevent the Heat 'n Bond from fusing to the back of the leg. Smooth the damaged pant leg and the fabric underneath before ironing the patch.

Place the patch, Heat 'n Bond side down, over the hole in the ripped jeans, with the grain of the patch laying in the same direction as the grain of the pants' fabric.

Using the directions on the Heat 'n Bond, fuse the patch with the iron to the damaged pant leg covering the hole.  This is usually 10-15 seconds, but it may be necessary to iron a little bit longer since the material is thick. Remove the scrap of denim from the inside of your jeans before moving on to step four.

Step 4: Stitch the patch to the jeans

Using a denim needle in the sewing machine is recommended to stitch the patch. This needle has a very sharp point and a shaft less prone to break.

For more information on sewing machine needles, visit our notions and supplies page.

If a denim needle is unavailable, using a larger universal sewing machine needle is important.

Thread the sewing machine with a thread color that matches the patch and the pants. If you want a more decorative patch, use the sashiko thread method and stitch decorative stitches around and across the patch.

Place the leg of the jeans through the arm hole area of the sewing machine, pushing the extra leg fabric towards the machine until the patch is under the needle.

Sew around the patch using a zig-zag stitch. 

Set the zig-zag stitch length shorter so the stitches are closer together. Begin sewing the patch so that half of the zig-zag stitch goes into the patch and the other side goes into the pant leg.

Sew around one side of the edges of the patch. Next, move the pant leg to sew the other side of the patch in the opposite direction.

The patch is now sewn on and should last through many wears.

This same technique can be used on other pants with holes, such as canvas or docker material. For the patch, use a sturdy piece of fabric that closely matches the color and material of the damaged pants.

Follow the directions above for a machine-sewn patch.

So, we've shown you two ways to darn jeans or pants with holes. We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found a way to make your favorite jeans last longer!  Please share, pin, or like!

For more tips and tricks, visit our page on mending and darning.

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