How To Hand Sew A Seam On Pants
Seams get ripped all the time with wear and tear. They take a lot of stress as we walk, move our hands and do other activities. We all have seen a sudden rip in the sea, as we stretch too much in our pants or as our pants get older. It can also happen because of a faulty stitch at the time of manufacturing. Sewing a seam is an easy process and can be easily executed with hand. You do not require extra ordinary sewing skills to fix a seam because it needs a basic stitch like zigzag or straight stitch.
How To Hand Sew A Seam On Pants?
Contents
Hand sewing a seam on pants can be quickly done if you have a needle and a spool of thread with you. The whole process needs a simple thread preferably of the same color as the fabric you are fixing. Ripped pant seams are a common problem. You need not throw away your pants just because of this problem. Also, once you fix your seam, it will stay closed for a long time. It is less likely that you will have to face the same problem again and again. Using a machine to fix a seam will give you even better results.
How to Mend a Ripped Seam on Pants?
Mending a ripped seam can be done in a jiffy with a machine or by hand. In case of pants, using a machine is advised because its material is usually thicker than other clothing and you need extra strong stitches. This does not mean you cannot do it by hand. When sewing with your hand, it will be better to do fine stitches with a double threaded needle to get a good result. Following are the steps to mending a ripped seam on pants.
- Turn the fabric inside out and find the ripped seam.
- Pick a thread that matches the pant fabric.
- Thread the needle with double thread and make fine stitches that are close to each other. Match the thread color with the fabric.
- If you are sewing by a machine, place the pants under the foot and get ready to sew. Set the stitches to a fine, zigzag or straight stitch.
- Start sewing your seam at least ½ an inch before the ripped area and sew ½ an inch beyond that.
- For help, you can follow the holes of the previous stitching.
- Cut the extra thread on both the sides and you are good to go.
- If you feel like your fabric may need some more strength, you can double stitch on the same lines.
How to Mend a Rip in the Crotch of your Pants?
The crotch of your pants is one area that takes the burden of all the stretching, thigh rubbing and enthusiastic jumping. It is very common for seams at this place to spilt without any kind of notice. You can always fix a small split in the seam with simple sewing and if there is a hole, you can save your pants with a patch. Let’s see how you can mend a ripped pant with hand sewing and a machine. Please note that you can also repair a pair of denim pants using the below mentioned procedure.
- Assess the damage
The first step is to assess the damage in the pants. If your seam has ripped, you have to simply turn your pants inside out and sew the seam. If the damage is more than a seam rip, you will have to do more. A small hole in the fabric can be fixed without a patch. Use your scissors to cut any frayed threads and clean up the edges of the hole.
- Thread the Needle
If the damage is small, all you have to do is close the hole. Before you can do that, you will have to thread a needle with a double thread and then tie a knot at the end. In order to give a neat finishing to your repair work, stitch the edges of the hole. Use a blanket stitch to do the job so that there is no more fraying of threads. Now that you have outlined the hole, the next step is to close the hole.
In case you are using a sewing machine, you will have to seal the edges of the hole/rip in the fabric using a zigzag stitch. Sew along each side of the hole to seal the edges and stop the thread from fraying. You can also use the buttonhole setting to seal the edges.
- Close the Hole
Hold the fabric so that the hole in the fabric is completely shut. Now, sew vertically across the hole to close it. Start sewing approximately ½ inch ahead of the whole and sew ½ past the other side. You can keep the stitch size small to ensure a tight and sturdy stitch. At the end of the stitch, tie a knot and cut off the extra thread. You can do this job with a sewing machine as well, but if the hole is small, hand sewing can easily fix it.
With a sewing machine, you have to do a simple straight stitch or a zigzag stitch to close the hole. Start ½ an inch before the whole and stop ½ inch beyond it. If your tear is in an inconvenient spot, you may have trouble sewing with a sewing machine. Choose to sew by hand or the sewing machine according to the position of the hole, its size and your sewing capabilities.
How to Sew a Patch to Cover a Hole in your Pants?
Sewing a patch to cover a hole is a labor-intensive procedure. You will have to start it by looking for a cloth that will match the torn pant. It will require a strong command of the sewing machine or thread and needle, if you are going to sew by hand. But the end result of this procedure is usually very neat and long lasting. Let’s look into how to sew a patch.
- Find a Patch
The first rule is to find a cloth that matches the outer side of your denims or pants. If you want to have fun, you can also find a patch that pops out and gives you an applique look. One thing that you have to be careful about is that your patch material should not be thicker than your pant’s fabric.
- Cut your Patch
Cut a patch at least 1 inch larger than your hole. This will give you extra seams to sew the patch securely in place. Do remember to cut out the frayed threads around the whole before you attach the patch.
- Pin the Patch
Lay your jeans flat on a surface and pin the patch in place. Make sure to turn your jeans inside out during this procedure.
- Start Sewing
Sew on the perimeter of the hole while removing the pins as you proceed. Do not stitch very close to the edges. Zigzag stitch will be the best to execute this step.
- Resew the Patch
For more strength, resew the patch on the same lines. Cut out all the extra thread.
Which Stitch is Best for Sewing Seams?
Zigzag stitch is the best stitch for enclosing seams. Infact, that is the most common use of this easy to do and strong stitch. Zigzag stitch is done so that the threads of the stitch stay within the threads and do not fray. This means, your seam closure will stay safe from accidental pulling and your seam will stay closed for a long time.
What Are The Different Types Of Seams?
There are many types of seams which are chosen according to the fabric type and the function of the garment. Following is a list of different types of seams.
- Plain Seam
- Double-stitched Seam
- French Seam
- Bound Seam
- Flat-felled Seam
- Welt Seam
- Lapped Seam
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
- How To Hem Chiffon With Tape - January 21, 2024
- How To Fix Ripped Jeans That Ripped Too Much? - January 9, 2024
- How To Make Pants Waist Smaller Without Sewing? - January 8, 2024
