The crotch of your jeans is exposed to all kinds of damage including stretching, friction on the thighs, and seams that come off at the wrong time. This is the place where tearing is most common, both small and large. Instead of throwing away the damaged jeans, there are several ways you can fix the holes. Small tears can be sewn back together, while larger holes will need to be patched. Regardless of your skill level with needle and thread, you can fix the crotch hole in your own jeans.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Repairing Minor Holes or Tear by Hand
Step 1. Cut the loose threads from the damaged part
You can repair a small hole without a patch, simply by sewing the sides of the small hole or small tear tightly together. Before you do this, you'll need to use a pair of scissors to trim the sides of the hole so that no more thread comes loose. It will only interfere when you sew it. Be careful not to make the hole any bigger as you do this.
Just cut the thread, not the fabric of the jeans
Step 2. Thread the thread through the needle and make a strong knot
Making a knot at the tail end of the thread will hold the thread in the fabric as you begin sewing. Threading the needle over and over again can be very difficult, so make sure you thread it properly.
Step 3. Sew the sides of the hole to prevent more thread from coming off
Seal the edges of the damaged section by wrapping the thread around it and “tying” it tightly. Make sure you don't sew too close to the edge of the hole, causing more thread from the fabric to come loose. This step is optional, but it can help stop the threads from falling around the hole and strengthen your repair.
Feston stitch or buttonhole stitch are good choices for this
Step 4. Sew the slits in the fabric tightly
Press and hold the fabric so that the hole or tear in your jeans is almost or is tightly closed. Then sew vertically across the hole to seal it. (Keep in mind that you may have to sew it more than once to make it close together. Start your stitches 1 cm from the edge of the hole. Continue until it goes 1 cm from the other side of the hole.
- When you've exceeded the length of the hole, make your stitches smaller.
- Pull your thread tight, break it, and trim it so that no thread comes loose.
- Begin this stitch about 1 cm before your hole edge seal seam is made.
- You can also do this with a sewing machine, but if the hole is very small, it will be easier to fix it by hand sewing.
Method 2 of 5: Repairing Minor Holes or Tear with a Sewing Machine
Step 1. Cut the loose thread
As with the hand-stitched repair method, the first thing you'll need to do is clean up any holes or rips by trimming any loose and loose threads. Be careful when doing it and try to do it as neatly as possible.
Step 2. Attach the bobbin to the sewing machine
Inserting a needle into a sewing machine can be difficult because it uses two thread sources, one from the bobbin and the other from the bobbin. The first thing to do is wind the yarn on the bobbin. When the bobbin and bobbin are set on top of your sewing machine, remove a few inches of thread and pull towards the far left of the bobbin and loop it around the wedge to the left of the machine.
- Then pull this thread through the bobbin, thread it through the small hole, and wind it on the bobbin several times to secure it.
- Snap the bobbin into place by pushing it to the right and gently depressing your pedal to lift the yarn from the bobbin on the bobbin until you have the amount of yarn you need in the bobbin.
- Cut the yarn to separate the bobbin and bobbin, then remove the bobbin and turn off your machine.
Step 3. Attach the bobbin
Take the end of the thread from the bobbin and pull it to the left as before. This time you are pulling it towards the needle itself. You will have to thread the thread on the hook on the top of the machine and then down through the channel on the right of the needle, before bringing it back up the machine through the other channel on the left, through the hook at the top and back down through the left channel.
- Thread the thread into the needle through the hooks on the front and sides of the needle before actually threading it through the eye of the needle.
- There are usually arrows or directions on your machine to make this easier.
- Most machines have the same pattern for threading the needle.
Step 4. Thread the bobbin
You've threaded the needle from the top bobbin, now it's time to thread the bottom bobbin. Open your machine to reveal the bobbin stored under the needle, and remove the small metal bobbin case. Place the threaded bobbin into the bobbin housing and pull a few inches of thread out through the slits on the sides, before returning the bobbin housing to the machine and closing it.
- To remove the thread from the bobbin onto the surface of the sewing machine, simply lower the needle slowly with a turn of the hand while holding the bobbin thread with your other hand.
- Return the needle to the top, carefully pulling the bobbin thread and the bobbin thread will emerge.
Step 5. Seal the edges of the tear with a zigzag stitch
Position the zigzag stitch in the center, over the edge of the fabric (so that half of the stitches are attached to the fabric and the other half is outside to close). Sew along both sides of the hole to seal the edges and prevent more thread from slipping out. Some sewing machines have a "buttonhole" setting or pedal that can be used to do this.
Step 6. Sew along the hole or tear to seal it
Push both sides of the hole with your hands to close it. When it is in position, hold it and place it under the needle on your sewing machine. Then, sew vertically along the hole to tie and seal it. As with hand sewing, make sure you start and finish your stitches within 1 cm of both sides of the hole.
- If you're sealing the edge of the tear first, make sure you start this new stitch 1cm behind it to prevent the previous stitch from slipping.
- If the hole is in a tight spot or in an uncomfortable position, moving your jeans under the sewing machine will be a challenge and it will be easier to sew them by hand.
Method 3 of 5: Gluing the Patch
Step 1. Trim the thread around the hole
Gluing patches is a great way for those who aren't comfortable with needle and thread, or who want a quick fix. This might be a good choice for your work jeans that prioritize functionality over appearance. As with any other technique, the first thing to do is to smooth out any loose threads or rips.
Step 2. Cut the patch to the required size
Turn your jeans inside out and measure out a piece of old denim from an old pair of jeans, or whatever you want to patch the hole. Make sure there is plenty of space in the patch around the torn area so you can apply glue to the patch.
You can buy cloth patches to use instead of scraps of cloth
Step 3. Apply fabric glue to the patch
You'll need to follow the specific instructions on the bottle, but generally you should glue the edges of the patch. You'll need to be careful not to glue the patch that will show through the outside of your jeans. Press the patch into the hole and secure it.
Different types of glue require different times to dry, but it shouldn't take more than a few hours
Method 4 of 5: Ironing the Patch
Step 1. Prepare the hole that you will patch
An easy alternative way for you to sew a patch is to buy a patch that can be ironed on and use it. As usual, start by trimming any excess threads so the holes are neat, before turning your jeans inside out and preparing the patch you will iron on your jeans. Measure the hole using a tape measure and cut the patch to that size and make sure the patch has about 1cm of space around the hole.
- You can measure it just by looking at it, but if you use a measuring tape you will avoid the wrong size and wasting a patch by cutting it too small.
- Cutting it round at the corners will prevent the patch from rolling and peeling off.
Step 2. Place a piece of old denim fabric on the other side of the hole
Using a piece of denim patch on opposite sides of the patch will prevent the patch from sticking to the back fabric of the pants and stick together, whether you're gluing it outside or inside the jeans. This can stick your jeans together and you can damage them when you have to take them apart.
Step 3. Iron your patch
With a preheated iron you can now put the patch on the hole and iron it. The length of time to do this will depend on the patch you have, so make sure you read the instructions carefully and follow them. Basically it won't take more than 30-60 seconds.
Once installed, you can remove the patchwork from the back and the pants are ready to wear again
Method 5 of 5: Sewing Patches to Repair Larger Holes
Step 1. Find a suitable patch or material for filling
Sewing a patch is the strongest, but also a lot of work, of repairing a larger hole in the crotch of your jeans. This requires some basic skills from sewing with needle and thread or a sewing machine, but if done correctly it will give a much neater and stronger result than gluing or ironing a patch. Start by finding the patch for the hole in your jeans.
- If you have a patch on the inside of your pants, choose a color that is closest to the color of your jeans to make it look more natural.
- You can get creative with your patches if you want to make a statement or want to have some fun.
- Make sure the patch is not thicker than the material of your jeans. Otherwise, the patchwork will tear your jeans all around as you move.
Step 2. Cut the patches at least 2.5 cm larger on each side than the holes
If you are cutting a patch from a woven material (such as denim), cut it diagonally to the webbing; if you cut it straight in the direction of the weave, the edges will fray more easily.
Step 3. Place the patch over the hole, lay your jeans flat, and apply a needle to attach the patch to the jeans
Make sure that the patches don't pile up and tug or the patches will tug or pile up. Unless you want to apply a colorful or flashy patch to the hole, tuck the patch into your jeans, facing out.
Another option is to use ironed patches. Instead of threading it with a needle, you can iron it and then sew it to make it stronger
Step 4. Sew the patch with a sewing machine
Sew around the hole, removing the needle as you sew. Do not sew too close to the edges or the edges may fray and the seams may come loose. Use a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine. You can also use straight stitches, but sew back and forth to create a zigzag stitch pattern.
Step 5. Or sew by hand stitch
If you're sewing it by hand, use a loop stitch. Insert the needle into the patch close to the edge. Thread the needle and thread back through the fabric just beyond the edge of the patch and pointing slightly forward from where your needle came before, making a diagonal stitch. Again poke the needle through the bottom of the patch (near the edge and slightly forward) to make another diagonal stitch on the bottom of the material.
- Repeat until you have covered the perimeter of the patch with diagonal stitches. When you're done, repeat this process again, only this time in the opposite direction to create a diagonal stitch that crosses the first set of stitches. You will make a series of X-shaped stitches.
- Be careful and make sure you don't sew the two sides of your jeans together, or sew the pockets on the crotch or leg of the jeans.
Step 6. Sew one more time around the hole if needed
Once the patch is in place, you can also sew it closer to the edge of the hole to hold it in place and give it a tidier look. Sewing it back will add strength to the patch. But remember that adding layered stitches will cause your jeans to become stiff and uncomfortable.
Step 7. Trim the frayed edges
When you have sewn the patch, take a thread or scissors and trim away any excess material from the patch. Excess material can itch or get caught in something that could loosen the stitches around your patch. Press the seams with an iron to help smooth your seams and your patching job is done.
Warning
- Wear tight shorts over both the pants you just fixed in case they tear again!
- Keep in mind that needles are very sharp and you could accidentally puncture your finger. Be careful.
- If you are using a sewing machine for the first time, go slowly.
