patches for holes in jeans??

[genii]

Hi - running around (often on hands and knees, eg soft play) after dc has left holes in pretty much all my jeans. They start off as a sort of slit at the knee but unchecked a big gaping hole.

Was wondering if anyone has any ideas for patches or reinforcements I could use, preferably the iron on variety. And hopefully something that won't look too odd on an adult! (though I'm not that bothered really)

Wrecking a new pair every couple of months at the moment.

many thanks

All the iron-on things I have tried have come off in the wash, though as a fabrics/sewing avoider I have not used any for a long time. This included sticking things with copydex. So I think I would treat slit with nail varnish to minimise fraying, and patch knee with material from old jeans, using over-sewing. (I do know some simple techniques as am old gimmer and had to do hated needlework at school - made a gingham dirndl skirt in top year of Juniors with a run-and-fell seam - though I loathed every minute of doing it!)

How about putting the iron on patches on the inside?

I think you're better off either A) buying another pair, this is what most people do, or B) making a feature of it. I save pretty bits of fabric from DC clothing to use as patches. But you've got to be brave to do that :).

either go with the holes, a la George Michael (faith) or buy new jeans. I really wouldn't patch them.

I patch by doing the following u.ntil I can afford a new pair

Turn jeans inside out. Cut four pieces of wondaweb to form a square around the hole. Cut a piece of scrap denim the same size as your square. Set with a hot iron. If you make your patch quite a bit bigger than your hole it should last quite a while. Also if you iron over the area after you've washed them it deactivates the glue.

Sorry , should have read activates the glue.

HI thanks for the suggestions. Will try the wondaweb I think or perhaps iron on on the inside.

I know some people are saying I should buy new ones but that is what I have done loads of times now and they keep getting holes! I plan to have proper pairs for when I am doing vaguely grown up stuff and then I can use to patched ones for soft play and the like.

I've mended holes in DPs jeans before by ironing on a patch behind (a denim type one, should be easy to get hold of) then doing a kind of embroidery style stitch over the top with a similar colour thread. Sounds kinda naff but it actually looked great-- a few people asked him if they were designer jeans!!

Also my sis often splits her jeans at the knees, and has a stash of retro type cotton ribbon she patches them up with. Again, sounds bit naff but looks quite cool :)

When DH goes through a pair of trousers, I keep some for patching boys' trousers. A good big chunk topped off with a jolly patch (usually ironed and stitched) usually from ebay.

I cut the back pockets off the DCs outgrown jeans to use as patches on knees. They look quite smart and they don't need any preparation at all.

I'm a seamstress and get asked to repair lots of holes in jeans.

Save all your old jeans and use the back of the legs for patches as they're hardly worn in that area.

I Always put the patch on the inside.

Open up the leg seam enough to get it onto your sewing machine. Unpick the side that is not top stitched to make it easier.

By working on the front you can see where to sew over the worn out bit.
I secure the patch at each side seam so that it takes all the strain.

A smoky-grey thread as this blends in well with the denim. Dont oversew - just enough to catch all the raggety bits.