How to Patch Jeans

Jeans are clothing items that people can never tire of. Many of us have a pair of jeans we've possessed for a very long time, which we refuse to give up because no other pair seems to provide the kind of comfort that one favorite pair does. But what when finally the jeans can take it no more, and they start showing signs of aging? You may have noticed but chosen to ignore the tiny holes, the minor rips, and the fraying insides. These however are definitely going to become noticeable in some time. Still don't want to give up the pair? Want to make sure that you use it till every fiber breathes its last? There is a solution for you; this guide on patching jeans that have holes, that are ripped and that are frayed.

A Guide to Patching Jeans

These step-by-step instructions tell you how to patch jeans without a sewing machine, and with a sewing machine. Before you begin, you will need to gather all of these materials.

Material Required

• Matching Denim Patch (perhaps from an older, irreparable pair of jeans)
• Sewing Needle
• Thread (that matches the fabric)
• A pair of Scissors
• Safety Pins

Directions

1. To begin with, assess the size of the hole or the rip in your jeans. You will require a patch larger than that. Also, ensure that you cut off all loose threads around the hole, that make it look smaller than it may actually be. Even if your jeans are frayed, cut all the threads that are running through the frayed patch.
2. Cut out a denim patch, that is at least inch wider than the area you want to cover up, on all sides.
3. Turn your jeans inside out, and place the freshly cut patch on the area you have to cover up. Use sewing pins to pin it in place, around the edges of the patch, not the hole. These will guide you while you sew the patch.
4. To patch jeans by hand, pick up the thread that matches the fabric of your jeans, and cut at least a foot to be put in the needle. Now run it through the needle hole, till the ends are even. Tie a knot at the end so that you can proceed with stitching.
5. Start stitching about one-fourth of an inch away from the edge of the hole in your jeans. While holding the patch in place, push the needle into the fabric, and at a distance of one-fourth inch, pull it back out. Push the needle back into the point from where you began. This is known as the back stitch. Continue in the same manner till you have completed patching up the entire hole. To finish it off, at the last stitch, loop the thread in the needle around the thread of the stitch and pull to secure it. Cut off the thread.
6. An alternate way of patching jeans is by simply using fabric glue around the edge of the patch, and fixing it in place. This however, will not last as long as a sewn patch.
7. To patch jeans with a sewing machine, first run a regular stitch around the edge of the patch on the sewing machine, at the distance mentioned earlier. To secure it further, put your sewing machine on the zigzag setting, and run it around the patch once again. Remember, all the stitching is to be done from the inside of the jeans. Now turn your pants to the right side, and again, run the zigzag stitch all over the hole, vertically and horizontally, till the entire hole has been covered with stitches.
8. Once you are done patching up your jeans, pull the area around the patch to check if it is secure. If there are any loose stitches, touch them up. Your favorite pair of jeans is now repaired.

You can even use fancy patches to cover up the damaged areas in your jeans, depending on its position. But these are all elements of retro fashion, and among today's fashion trends they are a big no-no.

Now that this guide on has helped you salvage your favorite pair, see how much longer it can last, and make sure you make the most of it.