Today, I will give you some tips on how to patch jeans. If you're a parent to active kids, then you know that jeans can be subjected to a lot of wear and tear. Between playing on the floor, sliding into home plate, and digging in the dirt, even high-quality jeans can become ripped jeans. Fortunately, patching denim jeans is an easy and cost-effective solution to extend their life. As a mom of five boys who are always on the go, I have learned some tips and tricks for mending jeans that I'd like to share with you. Not only will it save you money by avoiding buying new pairs all the time, but it's also a great way to pass down your favorite jeans to younger siblings or family members.

Different Methods for Patching Jeans, Including Hand Sewing and Machine Sewing

Patch your jeans like a pro with these different methods. If you have a clean rip, grab a needle and thread and hand stitch it for a seamless finish. For larger or more complex patches, a sewing machine is your best friend. Attach the patch using a zigzag stitch around the edges to ensure durability. If you're looking for a quick fix, iron-on patches are the way to go. Simply place the patch on the desired area, cover it with a cloth, and apply heat with an iron. The adhesive backing will securely bond the patch to your jeans. Whichever method you choose, patching jeans is a fun and economical way to extend the life of your favorite denim garments.

What Materials do I Need to Patch Jeans?

To patch jeans, you will need a few materials: denim fabric or iron-on patches that match the color and texture of your jeans, scissors, pins, a needle, and thread. Additionally, you may also need an iron or sewing machine depending on the method you choose to patch your jeans.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Patching Jeans | How to Patch a Hole in Jeans

Step 1 of How to Patch Jeans| Choose the Mending Materials

Start with an old pair of jeans similar to the color of your jeans you are trying to patch....or use some scrap denim to make your patch. Or you can buy a denim patch at the fabric store. Many other patches are ironed on but an old pair of jeans works excellently!

With a little creativity, there are various ways to repurpose old jeans. If your kids outgrow their jeans but the fabric is still in good condition, you can cut off the legs and save them for future patches or use them to create a denim quilt. You can also turn old jeans into shorts or skirts by cutting them at the desired length and adding embellishments like lace or embroidery. Another idea is to make a denim tote bag or purse using the pockets and waistband of old jeans. The possibilities are endless, and repurposing old clothing helps reduce waste and promotes sustainability.

Step 2 How to Sew a Patch in Jeans | Cutting the Patch & Prep Work

I like using fabric scissors to cut my patch the width of the pant leg. And the height plus at least 1/2” above and below the edge of the hole I’m patching.

After you cut your patch you will need to seam rip the side seam of the inside of your jeans a few inches above and a few inches below your hole so you can get it in your sewing machine.

Usually, the inseam of the jeans will be a flat, felled seam. These are a pain to unpick and time-consuming to assemble, so unpick the outer leg seam.

I like to have rectangle patches, but you can use any shape you want as long as you have excess fabric to cover the hole sufficiently. Holes tend to make themselves bigger very quickly so we want to prevent that from happening as much as we can.

Denim will also fray, so before I apply my patch, I like to finish the edges a little bit. You can do this several ways. You can use your serger to overlock the edges. You can trim the edges of your patch with pink shears. Or you can zig zag around the edges of the patch. Any of these methods will help control the fraying you will get on the inside of your pant leg from the patch.

Step 3 How to Patch Jeans | Stitching the Denim Patch

You can attach the patch in a few ways. If the hole is small enough, I like to add wonder to the entire patch!

Cut a strip of double-sided interfacing slightly smaller than the patch size and fuse the interfacing to the patch according to the instructions that come with the interfacing.

I like to use the right side of the piece of scrap denim fabric to fuse to the wrong side of the leg. This way, if you see any patches through the hole, it looks more like the right side of the jeans showing through instead of the wrong. But this is a personal preference.

Then pull the paper backing off the interfacing and fuse the patch to the inside of the jeans. The interfacing strengthens the patch.

Sometimes if I’m out of interfacing or if the hole I am patching is too big, I will use a glue stick or some fabric glue to glue the patch around the hole. Apply the glue to the inside of the pant leg around the outline of the hole. The glue will help keep it in place until it is sewn. You could also use fusible hem tape. I would use the same technique as I did with the fusible interfacing but add the strips around the hole inside the pant leg and fuse.

You want to take care when using fusible interfacing that the hole isn’t very big. We don’t want the adhesive coming through the hole and fusing the patch or piece of fabric onto your ironing board.

If the hole is larger make your patch have the fusible interfacing around the edges but not in the middle where the actual hole is. That way it will only fuse the patch to the leg fabric and not the hole. You may also consider cutting the frayed thread off in the middle of the hole. This is just personal preference. You can leave it if you like the look.

Put in the machine and stitch down the patch. I like to stitch 1/8” from the edge.

For this tutorial, I used a darker thread to make it easier to see in the pictures. You would probably want to use a lighter-colored thread that blends better with the fabric.

Straight stitch along the bottom of the patch, then turn your leg right side out.

This is what it will look like from the outside. Two straight lines are perpendicular to the pant leg.

Depending on how big the hole is, at this point, I like to go back and zig-zag around the hole. I do this step with the right side of the fabric up so I can see exactly where the hole is.

Turn the leg inside out again and get ready to sew up the leg seam allowance. (This is the seam you originally ripped to get into the leg.)

Press your seam allowance open. I use a sleeve board to make it easier to press.

And there you go! One leg patch down. Sometimes I decide to do the second leg while I’m at it. Because inevitably, it will have a hole in it sooner than later.

Now it's time for the second leg. When I put a patch on one leg I usually just reinforce the second leg. Might as well do both while I'm patching holes - then they have a chance of lasting until the child outgrows the jeans. I also find it more efficient to patch as many pairs as possible while at it. Assembly style. Do all the seam ripping, then all the fusing, then all the stitching.

Tips for Making the Patch Blend in with the Jeans

1. Choose a patch that matches the color and texture of the jeans as closely as possible. This will help the patch blend in seamlessly, making it less noticeable.
2. Use thread that matches the color of the jeans when stitching the patch onto the fabric. This will help camouflage the stitching and make it blend in with the surrounding denim.
3. Consider distressing or fading the patch to match the worn look of the jeans. You can do this by using sandpaper or a pumice stone to gently rub away some of the color or texture of the patch.
4. After attaching the patch, wash and dry your jeans to further blend in the patch with any fading or distressing that naturally occurs during laundering.

And there you have it - now you know how to patch jeans. Patching jeans is a simple and cost-effective way to extend the life of your favorite denim. Whether you want to repair a small hole or add a trendy patch for style, this guide has provided you with all the necessary steps and tips to successfully patch your jeans. By following these techniques, you can give your jeans a new lease on life and continue to enjoy wearing them for years to come. So grab your needle and thread, and get ready to revive your worn-out denim! Before you leave today, make sure to come join our Facebook Group,

Your jeans are patched and your kids are ready for rough-and-tumble play. Make sure to come join our Facebook Group before you leave. Also, check out our Denim section at KnitFabric.com to see what we have in stock.