I've finally gotten used to the distressed jeans trend, and I like it. What I don't like is that the jeans wear out way too quickly. The holes in the denim look great--until they don't. When the holes get too big for the school dress code, it's time for a quick fix. Here's how I patch holes in distressed denim. (I have a no-sew option as well.)
How to Patch Distressed Jeans
My daughter's shorts were super cute when we got them. They had small holes on the front pockets where the white pocket showed through. Eventually, the holes got bigger, and instead of a pocket, it was skin showing through. Besides the fact that I don't want my daughter to have holes that high on her jeans, it's against school dress code. If your pants have holes, they have to be below the fingertips.
These were my daughter's favorite shorts, and it was close to winter weather, so I really didn't want to replace them. Luckily, the fix was really easy. I'll show you my way to patch holes in distressed denim, and then I'll give you some other options as well.
I wanted to make it look like her pocket was showing through the hole, so I grabbed a pair of jeans that was headed to Good Will and cut off an inside pocket. I used that as the patch for the giant hole.
All I did was pin it on and stitch it down. I started out on the sewing machine, but the location of the hole was too difficult for the machine to reach. I stitched the rest by hand.
Easy No-sew Option
If you don't like to sew, try liquid stitch instead. It's a fabric glue, so it will keep sticking even after clothes are washed and dried. If I had thought of it sooner, I would have tried it instead of sewing.
There is one other option that I might try next time. I've noticed at Old Navy that a lot of the men's distressed jeans have a different color of denim behind the holes. I really like that look, so I'll try that next time. I have a closet full of too-small jeans (that I keep hoping I'll fit into someday), so it would be really easy to find some extra denim.
That's it! Super easy, and now her shorts can last through the season. I hope this works for you. I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments.
If you'd rather just replace your denim, check out these cute options (*affiliate links).
Thanks for stopping by today. You might like some of my other sewing (and no-sew) tutorials as well. The images below are linked to posts, so click on them to check them out.
Happy sewing!
Amber Myers
I will have to do this! Natalie has a hole in one of her favorite jeans and she can't wear them to school thanks to a dress code. This might fix them up!
Heidi
I hope it works for you, Amber. I'm definitely trying it with liquid stitch next time.
Tara Pittman
This is good that the wholes can be fixed. I bet your daughter was happy for that.
Heidi
Thanks for your comment, Tara. My daughter was very happy. You wouldn't believe how many places I've repaired on those jeans! (Mostly from the inside to patch places that weren't supposed to have holes!
Enriqueta E Lemoine
I love this. I hate when whole in jeans don't look good anymore, specially because these are the most expensive jeans! Thanks for sharing!
Heidi
I know just what you mean, Enriqueta. It's silly that torn up jeans cost more than the others. I guess we're paying for them to get roughed up and not last as long.
Cristina Petrini
Simple but functional idea. I also always find an idea to give my clothes a second life.
Heidi
Thanks, Cristina. It's nice to make clothes last as long as they can. I hate getting rid of stuff that has barely been worn
Ceci Rey
What a great idea! I love the distressed look of jeans...but, have always struggled with some of the holes becoming to big. Now, I know what to do, thanks for sharing!
Heidi
I know what you mean, Ceci. There's nothing like buying a pair of jeans that you love and then having the holes get so big that you can't wear them anymore. For that much money, I want the jeans to last!
Rach
What a great idea! I'd never have though of that. I'll have to dig out my jeans and see what I can do!
Heidi
Good luck, Rach. I hope this trick works for you. Well-fitting jeans are hard to find, so we've got to make them last!
Rachel Lavern
I have never owned distressed denim, and pretty certain I never will. I would select the "no sew" option if I did.
Heidi
I've never bought distressed denim for myself, either. It's my kids who like to wear it.
chad
That is super creative and it works!!! The jeans look super cool if you ask me. Awesome idea.
Heidi
Thanks, Chad. Thank goodness, my daughter likes the way they look, too. (Gotta please the teenager, right?)
Silvia Martinez
Great idea, I have a pair with a similar whole. Thank you!
Acupofassamtea
Such lovely and creative ideas. My little one comes home now and then with a hole in her pants.
Sigrid Says
I totally love what you did on your distressed jeans! Will do the same when I get holes on my favorite pants. haha
Sigrid Says
By the way, hope you can also allow us to leave our links.
Cindy Ingalls
This is such a great idea. I have a pair of distressed jeans that I love but have been noticing some of the holes looking a little more distressed than before. Now I know how to fix it.
Nita
Simple and creative ideas. Thanks for sharing.
TXMom
Thank you very much for the black and white version of the recipe! We so look forward to doing this at our party!