Have you discovered a rip, tear or other damage to your favorite pair of jeans? Being that it’s so difficult to find a pair of comfortable, fitted jeans, it’s frustrating when this occurs. Granted, small holes and other minor damage will often go unnoticed to the unsuspecting eye. Larger holes and damage, however, are most certainly noticeable, in which case you should consider repairing them ASAP. With a little bit of work, you can repair many forms of minor damage to jeans.
Protecting Your Jeans from Damage
Before we reveal how to repair damaged jeans, let’s first discuss some ways to protect jeans from damage. The easiest way to protect jeans from damage is to choose jeans made of high-quality denim materials and craftsmanship. Unfortunately, many stores sell cheap jeans in an attempt to make a quick buck. While they may look decent, these low-quality jeans lack the high-grade materials and craftsmanship needed to withstand the hands of time. As such, they often break down and degrade within just a few months.
You can squeeze a little more use out of your jeans by going the extra mile and choosing high-quality jeans. Skip the low-quality jeans available for sale at your local retail store, and instead buy your jeans from the denim experts here at MakeYourOwnJeans. We offer one of the largest selections of high-quality denim jeans and other denim products as unbeatable prices. Best of all, you can specify your own measurements when checking out, ensuring you get the perfect fit. And when your jeans fit, they are less likely to become damaged; it’s just that simple. So if you want to protect your jeans from damage, steer clear of the retail and department stores, and instead buy your jeans from the denim experts here at MakeYourJeans.
Patch it
Now that you now how to protect your jeans from damage, you might be wondering how to repair them. Because let’s face it, damage will occur at some point in time. The good news is that most minor repair jobs can be performed using nothing more than just a few basic supplies, which you can purchase at your local fabric store. To get started, you’ll need a spool of thread in the same fabric and color as your jeans, a pair of fabric scissors, an iron-on denim patch (also matches our jeans), a sewing machine, iron, and an ironing board. Once you’ve acquired all of these supplies, you can proceed to the next step.
Take your jeans and turn them inside out so the interior lining is exposed. Next, place the iron-on denim patch on the outside of your jeans; on the opposite side of the actual damage. Before fusing the patch onto your jeans, you’ll want to trim away any excess fabric. The smaller the patch, the better. So, take your fabric scissors and trim the patch until it’s just slightly larger than the hole/damage itself.
When you are ready to fuse the patch onto your jeans, place an ironing board underneath the jeans and use a hot clothing iron to warm the patch (make sure steam is turned off). The heat will activate the glue, at which point the patch will fuse onto the jeans.
You aren’t out of the woods just yet. To create a more clean appearance, it’s recommended that you stitch over the edges of your patch. Doing so allows the patch to blend into your jeans more seamlessly. When done correctly, most people cannot tell that the jeans have been patched. Congratulations, you’ve just repaired your jeans!
See a Tailor
Alternatively, you can leave the repair job in the hands of a professional tailor. Tailors have the skills, experience and tools necessary to repair jeans, regardless of how damaged they are. Whether it’s a small tear or large rip down the center of your jeans, they can help.
When choosing a tailor, however, it’s a good idea to read reviews from past customers. After all, you’re trusting them to repair your prized jeans, so you’ll want to make sure they have a good reputation. If you’ve worked with a tailor in the past and had a positive experience, you can choose him or her again. But if you haven’t worked with a tailor, it’s a good idea to look up reviews for that tailor. What did customers say about the tailor? Did they have a positive or negative experience? Did the tailor respond do these customer comments? These are all things you should consider when choosing a professional tailor to repair your jeans.
You should also explain what exactly you’d like done to your jeans. Whether it’s repairing the hole so it’s no longer visible or simply concealing a stained patch on your jeans, you’ll need to describe the problem and what you expect the tailor to do. These are all things that can help you achieve the perfect repair job when seeking the services of a professional tailor.
Embrace it!
Of course, another idea is to embrace your “damaged jeans.” As you may already know, some jeans are specifically made to look worn or even damaged. Known as “distressed” denim, it’s become a popular style in recent years. Distressed denim jeans often feature worn areas in the knees and thighs, and some will even feature larger holes. The bottom line is that many men and women prefer the unique look of distressed denim jeans. It’s a fun way to differentiate yourself from the crowd, while still sporting the same denim look that’s become synonymous with casual style.
To recap, you have several different options available to repair damaged jeans. You can either repair them yourself using an iron-on-patch, take them to a professional tailor, or simply embrace it as distressed.