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From: sewhappyrtr
Date: 04-21-2007, 09:58 PM (1 of 10)
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Hello to one and all. I have been asked to try to repair a co-workers daughters ripped denim pants. It is a pretty good rip on the backside, about 3-4 inchs down and about the same across. Its close to the rear seam and then goes across the leg to the outer side. The only thing I could come up with was to use a small zigzag stitch and stitch it that way, and also do the same on the other leg so it would look like it was supposed to be like that. It helps that the jeans already have some fancy embroidery on the pockets. What do all the sewers out here think???  thanks in advance for all the help
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User: sewhappyrtr
Member since: 08-01-2006 Total posts: 43 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 04-22-2007, 06:15 AM (2 of 10)
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For that size I'd be tempted to use some sort of fancy patch on it. IMO however it doesn't sound like the sort of place on jeans where you'll get away with either. The other thing to consider is how snug they fit? Will there be much strain on the repair? The embroidery you mentioned - is that on the rear pocket? The rip sounds like it might be near the pocket already. Or is it at the bottom of the buttock/top of the thigh? Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: breezy2560
Date: 04-22-2007, 09:34 AM (3 of 10)
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I do this very same thing to my daughter's and husband's jeans when they rip. I usually use a small width zig zag and just go back and forth over the area a few times to make sure it is secure. I have found some thread by Coats and Clarks that is varigated blues to match faded denim and this works well to blend the stitching and not be quite as noticeable. I make my patches that I sew on the underside from old blue jeans that I have kept after they have lived their useful life. I also keep the areas of the hems when I have to shorten them for customers or daughter. Hope this helps. Good Luck Debbie |
User: breezy2560
Member since: 11-11-2006 Total posts: 26 |
From: dmoses
Date: 04-22-2007, 12:11 PM (4 of 10)
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Before sewing, you may want to trim any loose ravelly threads in the tear to give it a clean-cut look. Then, butt the edges together and apply strips of lightweight fusible interfacing from the inside. This would hopefully hold the tear together and make it easier to stitch.
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: paroper
Date: 04-22-2007, 09:43 PM (5 of 10)
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I don't know, I'm a patcher...my daughter had a pair that ended up having the whole seat ripped out. However, I always patch from the inside. I clean finish the edge of the jeans with zig zag before I start and I clean up the ravel but I usually keep just a little of the ravel there. Then I put a patch made up of the jeans fabric OR a decorative strong cotton underneath. If I decide on a good cotton, I use two layers of the cotton and either way, I cut the patch to size and I clean finish the edges with a good serge to make sure that the new patch does not ravel. Then I place the patch, zig zag around the opening and then I use the stretch stitch all the way around the area (using a thread that blends well) and I put the stretch stitch just about 1/4 inch from the zig zaged edge. The patches on these jeans have often outlasted the jeans and I 've done it on jeans of adult men, bikers, teens, mothers and children with no problems. The frayed look of jeans is very fashionable right now and I like the look of the patch underneath better than the patch on top.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Marlyn
Date: 04-23-2007, 08:39 AM (6 of 10)
I have been repairing jeans for many years for both of my children when they were younger, my husband and now my granddaughter. I begin with cleaning away the ripped threads and ravel threads, then I use an iron patch on the inside of the tear, before I either use a patch with embroidery, or if that is not advisable I use a piece(s) of old jeans I always keep on hand, and then a fancy stitch with a colour of thread that would either match the embroidery, or the thread used for the outer stitching on the jeans. I find the iron patch helps to strengthen even the toughest tear where stretch could be a problem.
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User: Marlyn
Member since: 06-11-2004 Total posts: 37 
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From: sewhappyrtr
Date: 04-24-2007, 04:27 PM (7 of 10)
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Sorry it took so long for me to answer, I thought I had made my preferences to be to email me when someone answered my ?, so I have been waiting for an email... Anyway, yes its close to the bottom of the butt, top of thigh. She is an 16 yo girl, so I don't know what to do to make it work for her?? The co-worker knows that it may not look or be the best, I just said I would try. They are Guess jeans, size 28??? with stretch. The rip is 4" down beginning at the rear/crotch seam and then goes across the pant to the outer side 4 1/4 ". The rip is on the left leg. The back left pocket has the fancy embroidery on it with the rear right pocket having just a smidge of embroidery. Thanks again for your help |
User: sewhappyrtr
Member since: 08-01-2006 Total posts: 43 |
From: Sews4kate
Date: 04-25-2007, 11:35 AM (8 of 10)
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just wanted to say that EVERY pair of Guess jeans I have owned have ripped in the same place. It started in highschool 20 years ago, I've bought some in the years since and it still happens. I refuse to buy anymore!
Wendy
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User: Sews4kate
Member since: 08-20-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: BabsSewingRoom
Date: 04-26-2007, 11:39 AM (9 of 10)
| My 15 yr old granddaughter had pair do same thing recently. As the jeans were fairly tight, I put another piece of fabric in behind the rip that reached from back seam to pocket and stitched it with that varigated blue thread so it blended rather well. And then zig zagged the tear several times. She has had rips other places on jeans where I've sewn a patch behind the tear and left the frayed edges on outside, sort of looks like colorful underwear peeping through. Actually it's rare she'll let me repair a rip - the more the better - but the one in the seat made them unwearable. |
User: BabsSewingRoom
Member since: 04-10-2004 Total posts: 80 |
From: Diana01
Date: 04-27-2007, 03:50 PM (10 of 10)
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Hi there, what I have done is to actually make the hole bigger in your case it doesn't sound like you need to but I cut a piece of material usually a colorful, flowery or heart type material bigger than the hole and use the liquid stitch on the inside of the jean and just do a small straight stich around the hole so the jean doesn't unravel anymore and secure the material just a little more and let the material show through the hole. It saves me time trying to repair it and looks like it was designed that way and have gotten a lot of compliments about my "designer" jeans. I say thank you and just kinda smile to myself. I hope this helps you.
Diana
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User: Diana01
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 11 
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