15+ Creative Ways to Mend Jeans

After I wrote my post on how I patch jeans, I decided to do a little roundup of some of the great ideas I’ve seen for other ways to mend jeans. You can use these techniques on anything, not just denim. Stitch a little sashiko on a stained t-shirt, or some reverse appliqué on a sweater hole!

In fact, some of these are so cute you might want to use them whether your jeans need mending or not…

Embroidering jeans is a popular way to turn extend their life and embellish them at the same time.

1 – Even if you have no experience with embroidery, sashiko is a great place to start. The lines of running stitches strengthen the denim’s weaker areas, and you can add a scrap of monochromatic fabric as shown here, or…

2 – Use a patch as an opportunity for a pop of color. This example incorporated some star stitches in a complementary color.

3 – I love this use of an overcast stitch on the pockets, and it could be used on a frayed hem as well.

4 – Top off a cute patch with a border of running stitches. This patch is made with denim, but it would be fun (and no-fray) with felt as well. (As long as it’s a synthetic felt, because wool would shrink up when the jeans are washed.) And you could make it any shape – check out the post to see her great idea for the templates!

 

Denim is a perfect foil for prints, and it pairs especially well with florals.

1 – Start adding simple rectangle patches of assorted floral prints, and don’t stop until your desired look is accomplished!

2 – Awesome way to make a stained pair of jeans even better than they were before. This tutorial uses stencils and fabric paint, and it might be fun to play with bleach here too.

3 – I love how the bouquet cutouts in this tutorial look like magazine clippings!

4 – Inspired by a (verrry expensive) pair of Gucci jeans, check out this tutorial to see how to get the embroidered floral look with a bit of patience and just the right embroidered fabric.

 

Your mended jeans will look especially chic if the patches appear like they were always part of the original design. Of course, then you’ll probably get lots of questions about where you got them. Then you’ll have to find nice ways to say, “No I won’t make some for you.” 🙂

1- Use patches in layers – including upcycled contrasting jeans pieces and faux leather. Love the geometric effect of these!

2 – This tutorial uses traditional blue denim knee patches on black skinny jeans (and bonus – she shows how to insert the ankle zipper).

3 – Creating lace patches for jeans looks so cool, and it also gives you the advantage of being able to match the stretch of your lace to your denim.

4 – Give the classic denim-on-denim patch a custom touch like this, using any shape you like.

 

There are some extra-cute ideas out there for kids’ jeans mending! But no judging here, these could be used for “kids” of all ages…

1 – This simple heart reverse appliqué is so sweet. The post also shows how to conceal the raw edges, in case the wearer is prone to picking at threads. 😉 (The tutorial is actually for a denim throw pillow, but it would work the same with jeans.)

2 – I’ve seen some really creative versions of the “monster in the knee” patch, and this is an especially cute one.

3 – Or maybe your kiddo would prefer a superhero in the knee? Great idea, and it would only take a small amount of a fun character fabric to get the look.

4 – The excellent thing about this tutorial is that it not only patches the jeans, but it lengthens them! What a great way to stretch the use from a favorite pair.

Happy jeans (or anything) mending! And don’t forget about our #MendingFriending challenge. Get through that pile this month with style.