There  is nothing worse than getting a hole in your favorite pair of jeans.  Here is a simple project that will make them wearable again (without looking like a patchwork quilt).

 Supplies:

• Scissors
• Thread – try to use a color that closely matches the color of the jeans or pants
• Lightweight iron-on interfacing (you only need a piece big enough to cover the hole with a 1″ margin)
• Iron and ironing board
• Sewing machine

Directions:

1. Start by cutting a piece of iron-on interfacing so that it covers the hole with about a 1″ margin all around.

2. Turn the jeans inside out.  Try to comb as many of the threads from the hole into place (so they lay nicely horizonally and vertically), then iron the interfacing over the hole.

3. Turn the jeans right side out again.  Using your sewing machine, sew back and forth over the hole following the vertical grain of the fabric.  I start by stitching from top to bottom of the hole, then use the “reverse” function on the sewing machine to go back to the top of the hole.  Do this over and over until most of the white threads from the jeans are covered with the thread (it will take a lot of passes – and thread!).

Tip: To make the patch look more blended, vary the heights of your stitch lines so they end and begin at different places.  You can also use multiple colors of thread (light blue, dark blue, silver, etc.) to get the color to match the varying tones of your fabric.

4. Once you have completely covered the hole, trim any stray threads, and you’re done!  After you wash the jeans for the first time, the interfacing may peel back a bit, and you can trim it to the edge of your sewing (or you can peel it back before wearing to trim).