Small Rips and Tears

• 1). Turn the pants inside out. Iron the pants so wrinkles don’t make the pants hard to work with.
  
  
• 2). Cut any long strings from the edges of the rip. Bring the ripped edges together so the fabric is touching.
  
  
• 3). Sew the hole closed with a straight, tight stitch. Try to keep the stitching close to the edge so it doesn't affect the width or length of the pants, but not so close to the edge of the tear that the stitching will come loose.
  
  
• 4). Cut any excess thread and turn the pants right side out. Iron the seam flat so it doesn’t protrude.
  
  

Bigger Holes

• 1). Select a patch that matches the color and weight of the fabric of your pants. Some pants are made with excess fabric at the hems, around the pockets or near the waistband. This fabric does not contribute to the function of pants, so it can be cut and used for patching.
  
  
• 2). Turn the pants inside out and place them onto a flat surface. Use a seam ripper to remove the seams along the legs or seat of the pants nearest to the tear so the fabric will lie flat for patching.
  
  
• 3). Align the ripped edges so they lie flat and the edges meet wherever possible. Place the patch on top of the ripped area and iron the area flat.
  
  
• 4). Insert straight pins around the edges of the patch. Sew the patch in place with a tight, straight stitch along the pinned edges.
  
  
• 5). Resew the seam with a straight stitch and turn the pants right side out. Iron over the patched area.