Fixing That Hole! How to Cheaply Repair a Hole in Your Pants

There may be a time in your life when you have a tear in your pants. In this economy, who has the disposable income to buy new clothing items? We are all makers, right, so why not just fix it! In addition, for those of us who do not own sewing machines at home, this can an a time consuming fix to perform by hand. I recommend getting to access to a facility that has sewing machines, such as TechShop!

Here is what you need:

ripped pants
an adhesive patching kit ($5)
thread matching the color of your pants (~$2)
an iron
a sewing machine
scissors

with the fabric from the patch kit, cut the patch down so it fits over the hole. Round the corners so there are no edges that will bother, or will get pulled on that will remove the patch.

Next, iron on the patch to adhere it to the pants. Make sure to piece a piece of paper on the inside of the pants so the patch does not adhere to the fabric exposed by the hold. Make sure the iron is dry, heated up, and then use it. This is a quick and easy step!

No that the patch is attached to the pants, you are ready to sew. The reason you are sewing the patch on is to make sure that is stays. My experience is that these types of patched tend to fall off after a wash of two if they are not sewn on. Likewise, it is much easier to keep the iron on patch lined up that it is with a patch that is pinned in place.

If you have never sewn before, it is quite easy. the hardest part is threading the needle...if only there was some type of instruction website where you could learn how to do that...

While sewing, go around all of the edges, and make sure you sew back over the last few stitches to lock the thread in place.

Once you are done sewing, remove your material from the machine, and cut any loose thread.

And thats it, now you have a quick, cheap fix!

Enjoy!