How to Fix a Hole in Jeans Without Mending

heather handmade sewing

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Learn how to fix a hole in jeans without mending. This is great for coverage behind holes without sacrificing the destroyed look.

Sometimes you wear out a pair of jeans until it has holes. Sometimes you buy jeans to look a certain way that has holes and frayed sections.

If you like the destroyed look, but you still want coverage behind the holes then this is an easier sewing tutorial that adds fabric without mending the hole!

mend a hole without mending

I don’t go into a lot of detail with this mending tutorial. If you want a more in depth tutorial, you can get the basics from mending a hole in jeans. Then come back a chose one of these mending variations!

Learn how to sew on a patch to fix holes or to add an embroidered patch for details.

If you are learning about working with jeans, you can learn how to hem jeans with the original hem.

How to Fix a Hole in Jeans Without Mending

how to mend a hole without mending

supplies

Start by cutting a rectangle piece of denim or canvas that is 1 inch bigger than the hole on all sides.

Finish the edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.

Cut pieces of double sided fusible adhesive into strips. Iron pieces onto the patch around the outside edge. Leave the middle free of adhesive. They should be placed on the RIGHT side of the fabric.

adhesive on patch

Peel of the paper backing. Fuse the patch over the hole with the center centered over the hole. Pin patch in place after fusing.

pin patch on

From the inside sew a perimeter stitch around the patch 1/8 inch from the edge. From the outside sew a perimeter stitch around the hole.

These two stitches will kep the patch in place and will keep the fabric strong, but the stitching is essentially invisible.

how to mend a hole without mending

How to Mend a Hole in Jeans With Minimal Mending

Instead of doing a filled in mending stitch match the color of the topstitching and sew a large zigzag.

mend a hole without mending

supplies

Start by cutting a rectangle piece of denim or canvas that is 1 inch bigger than the hole on all sides.

Finish the edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.

Cut pieces of double sided fusible adhesive into strips. Iron pieces onto the patch around the outside edge. Leave the middle free of adhesive.

patches with adhesive

Peel of the paper backing. Fuse the patch over the hole with the center centered over the hole. Pin patch in place after fusing.

jean patches

From the inside sew a perimeter stitch around the patch 1/8 inch from the edge.

patched jeans inside

Put thread in that matches the topstitching like white or tan. From the outside sew a large zigzag across the hole. This stitch keeps the center of the patch in place and gives it a little strength, but it doesn’t really cover up the hole.

how to mend a hole without mending
how to mend a hole without mending

How to Fix a Hole in Jeans Without Mending

Yield: Fixes 1 hole in jeans
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Active Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Beginner
Estimated Cost: Free

Learn how to fix a hole in jeans without mending. This is great for coverage behind holes without sacrificing the destroyed look.

Materials

  • Jeans with a hole
  • Matching all-purpose thread (jeans lean more towards gray so pick a blue gray)
  • Scraps of heavy fabric like denim or canvas
  • Double sided fusible adhesive

Tools

  • Sewing tools
  • Sewing machine

Instructions

How to Fix a Hole in Jeans Without Mending

    1. Start by cutting a rectangle piece of denim or canvas that is 1 inch bigger than the hole on all sides.
    2. Finish the edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.
    3. Cut pieces of double sided fusible adhesive into strips. Iron pieces onto the patch around the outside edge. Leave the middle free of adhesive. They should be placed on the RIGHT side of the fabric.
    4. Peel of the paper backing. Fuse the patch over the hole with the center centered over the hole. Pin patch in place after fusing.
    5. From the inside sew a perimeter stitch around the patch 1/8 inch from the edge. From the outside sew a perimeter stitch around the hole.
    6. These two stitches will kep the patch in place and will keep the fabric strong, but the stitching is essentially invisible.

How to Mend a Hole in Jeans With Minimal Mending

  1. Instead of doing a filled in mending stitch match the color of the topstitching and sew a large zigzag.
  2. Start by cutting a rectangle piece of denim or canvas that is 1 inch bigger than the hole on all sides.
  3. Finish the edges with a serger or zigzag stitch.
  4. Cut pieces of double sided fusible adhesive into strips. Iron pieces onto the patch around the outside edge. Leave the middle free of adhesive.
  5. Peel of the paper backing. Fuse the patch over the hole with the center centered over the hole. Pin patch in place after fusing.
  6. From the inside sew a perimeter stitch around the patch 1/8 inch from the edge.
  7. Put thread in that matches the topstitching like white or tan. From the outside sew a large zigzag across the hole. This stitch keeps the center of the patch in place and gives it a little strength, but it doesn't really cover up the hole.

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heather sewing

I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather

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