How to Repair Denim with Simple Underside Patches
This type of mending will work for both small and large holes. It's a simple and fast way to patch jeans with denim patches and hand stitching.
Cut the fluff
By trimming off those fluffy frays, it's much easier to keep a clean mended edge, and your stitches from getting tangled in the fray.
Position the patch on the inside of the jean leg
Cut a patch of denim that is 3/4" larger than the hole, and pin it in place.
Make small snips around the hole
Cut small snips every 1/4", about 1/4" deep, perpendicular to the edge of the hole.
Tuck the edges under
Go around the hole, tucking the flap you made with the snips under. Pin in place. This creates a smooth edge.
Now to stitch
Begin with your needle on the underside of the patch. Stitch through the patch and the 2 layers of the folded under edge. After pulling the needle all the way through, re-insert the needle through the patch, and at an angle, and bring the needle back up through the folded layers.
Continue stitching around, securing the fold as you stitch along.
And before you know it, all finished! Knot, or weave your thread end into the stitches.
Vary it up
Make your stitches a little further from the edge, making sure that you are still stitching through all of the layers.
Another variation that I like to use, is to sashiko stitch lines radiating away from the patched hole.
If you like the look of mended circles, here's another tutorial you might like:
https://wrenbirdarts.com/blogs/embroidery-by-erin-eggenburg/sashiko-style-circles
-or-
a quick patch tutorial for smaller holes:
https://wrenbirdarts.com/blogs/embroidery-by-erin-eggenburg/patching-a-pocket-puncture
Want to try your hand at sashiko? Click here for a basic starter kit, that includes a sashiko instruction booklet.