Repair and Embellish Jeans with Rob Appell

Click here to get supplies: bit.ly/repairjeans . Rob demonstrates a simple method for repairing worn out Levi's with a patch or decorating your favorite jeans with embroidery using quilting fabric, a lapel stick and a triple stitch. Get supplies by clicking the link below:
www.missouriqu...

[@annholmes9650]

I have been sewing for 55 years, and would never have thought of opening g the seam on the jeans! Thank you so much, my daughter will be 50 in December and my son is 47 in June, wish I had thought of doing this for their jeans! X x

[@JohnDavis-ul1vc]

I learned this method back in the late 70's...I was at a fabric store buying the iron on patches & there was an older lady looking at trims beside me. She explained this method to me and I thank her every time I slice open a pair of jeans. I just use other parts of jeans fabric for my patches....(there are some jeans that don't make the cut for a repair) the boys prefer a jeans patch to a fun fabric patch ! :)

[@Bleuz2010]

Hey Rob! I have a tip for you. I keep a lint roller in my sewing room. After using my seam ripper, I roll over the ripped seam to get the pieces of threads left behind out. This makes cleaning up those threads quick and easy!

[@ManSewingVids]

+Laura Davis brilliant!! Thanks for the awesome idea!

[@debbiedeas]

Opening up the leg! 🤦🏾‍♀️ That makes it so much easier! I’ve been so frustrated trying to fit my entire pair of jeans under the needle. THANK YOU!!!

[@manicmandownup]

I like this dudes energy and teaching style 👍🏻

[@suzald]

Yep, me too. This is the first time I have seen him. I'll be watching more. Brilliant.

[@karenhubler2792]

I thank you for the fun and energetic way you teach, I really enjoyed your daddy daughter day show. When every I meet a male sewer in a fabric store I really brag about you and you talent and all that you teach thank you so much for sharing your talent, that God so beautiful blessed you with, and all the hard work you put in to your show.

[@ManSewingVids]

Karen, thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate that. Hope you are having lots of fun sewing! :)

[@LiveLifeCreating]

I ripped a pair of well worn jeans that are so comfy today and remembered this tutorial! I won't have to throw them out now! Thanks for sharing this one!!

[@queenopearls]

Hey Rob, great tip to open up the sides of the jeans, doh! :) My mom used to insert my dad's old ties in the side seam and along the hem. It was the 70's so there were some pretty colorful ties. :) Cool, retro looking and SO many possibilities. :)

[@Aussie-chic]

I love this idea thanks!

[@williewiner4161]

Oh my goodness I was hand sewing a patch just night I have to do the other leg tooo this is such a life saver! Rob you are the best!

[@stevelister1554]

There is an easier way! if you look closely at the seam you unpicked - in most jeans its a chain stitch - clip the stitches at the top and bottom only first and it will come undone in one long length - no need to pick out the little bits - then if the hole to be repaired is close to the seam - like in the video, include one edge of the patch in the leg seam, you get a stronger finish and no wear on the back of the patch rubbing on your leg!

[@davidanddavidstrading]

there are some tips here, cupe!

[@ragcell]

Using a gray or lighter gray thread nearly always works the best, regardless of the age of the pants: from new to very faded. nearly all blue jean denim has a healthy percent of the fibers that are white. Gray thread blends in alot better with white and blue warp and weft fibers used to make the jeans: gray is a good "average" color. Finding the right shade of blue will be more apparent compared to the white fibers already in the denim.

[@normamorales6856]

I love the way he explains all the steps. I always watch his videos. Now I will fit my jeans beautiful, as soon as my eyes are better ( I just had cataracts surgery). Thank you for this video.

[@janehop]

What a great idea, Man Sewing! Opening up that seam sure made that repair easier! Thanks 😊

[@cherylharris5695]

This is brilliant!!! I lost this video and then I found you again yay!!!! I needed a refresh as to how to add the patches on jeans but more importantly which side of the jeans I needed to open; then the hem on the bottom on the jeans remembering to leave and inch gap from the bottom to open upwards as it's difficult to sew that thick hem fabric unless your using an industrial machine. So thank you

[@SundaysChild100]

Rob after struggling with this for years your tutorial has enlightened me! What a simple solution! Thank you!!!! Re: your son, boys are picky beyond picky so ask HIM what he wants!

[@Cindy1956ful1]

I did this when my kids were little. They had these cargo pants that they loved. But when I patched the knees, it looked homemade and they got teased by other kids at school. So I patched the knees as normal. Then I opened up the seams on both sides of the pants like you did. I cut a new piece of fabric larger height wise than the patch. Then I extended it width wise to the edges of the seam ripped seams. Then I topstitched it down. Then I sewed the side seams back up. I had to do the same thing on the unpatched leg so they matched. Same dimensions and the outside new fabric matching in height and width to the patched leg. My boys got a lot of compliments on their “new” pants!

[@lindahutchings5394]

Watched this video and was able to embroider flowers on my daughter's jeans. Her character in a play she is doing wears a flowered embellished pair so this method worked great! Thank you.

[@KP-mb9jx]

Loved the tutorial Rob as I always learn something from you. PLUS you're always so enthusiastic and it's contagious!! THANK YOU !

[@reahalea1]

Fantastic! I have been patching jeans for years, this never occurred to me. Thank you!

[@RosieCarl]

My first sewing machine was a Kenmore my parents bought me 40+ years ago and it had the triple stitch. I have always used it for sewing pant seams, esp crotch seams. It does take a little longer to sew the seam, but you will never sew it more than once. The downside is it takes forever to rip it out if you mess up. You are the first person I have ever heard recommend it! It is also great for topstitching if you want a thicker topstitching.

[@dianadivadiamond]

Thank you for sharing your way of repairing your jeans. I have one of those with the sides ripped, bought it like that but I need to add pieces on the inside & you just gave me the perfect idea. Love it. Blessings to you.

[@cathyfinnegan5901]

I have fixed my daughters jeans a million times. why didn't I think of this. Thanks for the brilliant tutorial. I will be using this method in a day or two. I 'll let you know how it goes.

[@arlynecantrell6886]

I plan on embroidering a pair of jeans, I knew about the seam but not the triple stitch! Thanks! You’re the bomb!

[@teresemancani7637]

I've been doing this since the 70's, great video.

[@margojablonski787]

Just found your video! Can't wait to try!! I have a whole stack of jeans I can't wait to patch! Thank you!

[@MemoryChallenged]

Just found this vid. I’m self-taught and learned some valuable lessons today. Thank you! My son is 17 now and mostly grown.. ;). I would buy pants longer than he needed and hem. When he grew, I took out the hem. When that no longer worked, I showed him a cuff style or just made shorts. Good luck!

[@cynthiabrewer266]

What a cool set of ideas. Will be repairing all kiddo's jeans using this method. Thanks for this.

[@melindameehan8435]

My husband thanks you, now he'll finally be able to where his favorite pair of jeans again!

[@chantalida53]

Thank you very much Rob for this very interesting tutorial, by the way, just a little trick, you can use painter's tape to stick off all these little bits of thead.

[@grammaali3462]

I could of used this video months ago, but I finally figured it out and was able to place a patch just as you did. But, not before I broke a few needles trying sew the patch without taking the pants apart. Great ideas once again Rob!!.

[@cindymccafferty8346]

I opened the seam up on the one side and then six inches on the other on cargo pants worn at the knees. I put an ugly patch on the hole, just enough to be functional. Then I took a six inch strip of fabric, folded and pressed the top and bottom an inch. I pinned it over the patch side seam to side seam. I did a double line of stitching top and bottom of the strip on top of the jeans and patch. Then I sewed the side seams again. It looked like a color block. The kids at school and the teacher thought the boys got a new pair of pants and they got a lot of compliments!

[@carolinalomeli9128]

Love your energy, don't slow down!🙂

[@emanueladavis1885]

What a great idea....love it. The embellishment looks awesome....great work....

[@carolnye9704]

I have 2 pairs of favorite jeans that I want to repair. I never thought of opening the seam!! Thanks, Rob!!

[@owenprince4823]

I have 9 sewing machines but I only do small sewing projects. I am collecting denim jeans as I want to do more with denim projects. I have 4 treadle and 5 electric singer. I just serviced them so they all work well and I am wanting to repair denim jeans. I thought about opening up the pant leg and you showed that it can be done so I will use this when I fix my jeans.

[@ivyutube695]

So helpful, using glue sick instead of pins ! So much easier, Thank you ..Wow. ..so such better results !

[@stevo3644]

Great tutorial Rob and thanks for sharing.

[@peache1313]

Thank you awesome lesson. I wanted to see a man sew so I watched. Great sewing.

[@TheLarizmar]

I loved this video! Very informative and I loved how you walked us through every step and you make sewing fun not so intimidating thank you for the video!

[@merrilynhurd3692]

Thanks, need to repair some for hubby and didn't quite know how to do it properly. Now I do and thank you so much.

[@AdiarraS]

It was easier to please me when I was a kid, because you could add any cool fabric to the bottom and I'd like it...but as a teenager?!?! That would never have been ok with me, lololol. I gotta say though, I love the idea of cargo zippers!! Great idea Jolene! Awesome tutorial BTW! =)

[@ManSewingVids]

+Cheryl Land haha I know what you mean, teenagers are hard to please sometimes!! :) Thanks for watching this one!

[@marilyn6068]

Great video. Knee patch turned out great. Opening the seam was the only way to get at the rip.

[@debbies6192]

Awesome repair!

[@sherriequilts]

Wow! Where was this a few years ago when my husband needed very expensive denim work pants repaired?? Well now I know how to do it for the next pair! Thank you!!:).

[@ezvkm77]

Excellent video! really enjoyed.

[@krisshickman1347]

thanks rob im having to fix a few pairs of jeans for my grand daughter that has worn out ..thanks for showing me an easier way of doing it

[@1amKimmy]

I love this tutorial! I really want to add some funky embroidery to my jeans and these techniques will help get me there! :)

[@lindagillespie6556]

Good job Rob

[@eternalfizzer]

How did I not know this! After fighting to roll up and stuff one leg under my sewing machine foot, I was about to give up and hand stitch the other side. Thanks for the tip!

[@jarcon23]

more clothing type tutorials. You make it look so easy and explain so well :)

[@lindalindsayAgyei]

Omg, I'm looking for ways to fix my boys jeans which seems to always get holes in the Kneel area. As I saw your picture, I was like..... yea that's a Boy, he's definitely gonna do something for boys. I move away from my phone and I hear your voice and I'm like oww that's the energy I need to fix these heep of Jeans. Thanks alot. Your energy is infectous and oh you really are cute and handsome. Greetings from Germany

[@carmenroupp653]

I do not have that glue nor have I ever used it before -I have always gone around the patch with a 1/4 inch stitch then ironed the patch right on the line then sewn it to the jeans. It has always worked out great for me.

[@wiredguytv]

aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh - wow - man - I just discovered you ! Im learning to sew and was looking for a jeans patch - well what a brillant video. As for your son, I guess he's much taller now - i'd buy a new pair ! lol

[@ManSewingVids]

Thanks for tuning in!!! You are correct, he is growing like a weed!

[@denaballsewing6601]

Whats up Rod! I made a zipper pencil bag with a pink bandanna inside with holes in the jeans. I made it for my niece long time ago.

[@michele.the.quilter6174]

Thanks for the great idea to open up the leg!

[@paullewis3771]

Awesome video, can't wait to paisley my jeans.

[@patcolbourne1429]

Love your channel.

[@aidadaist]

Very helpful! Thank you so much, Rob. You're the best! :)

[@maggiem4734]

OMG! How clever are you!! That is brilliant! Ty sew much! ❤️👍🏼

[@rlondon5004]

Great tutorial! Thank you so much!

[@princessag584]

😮 I learned a lot from this video and I’ve been seeing for years! Thanks 👍🏽

[@jodienichols2002]

Thanks for a great video.

[@jack_batterson]

Great tutorial!

[@gammayin3245]

OH! I wish I had seen this years ago! Would have saved me from making son's favorite jeans unwearable. Thanks Rob!

[@MrAlan0151]

I'll try it, thanks Rob

[@terryb6433]

cut jeans leg crosswise at an angle, anywhere you want but avoid jean hem or crotch. Add an angular piece of denim or any other wild fabric to the crosswise cut on the jeans, then sew leg bottom to new added fabric. I haven't done it on jeans.... but have lengthened t-shirts that way. It adds a design element and makes the item wearable for a while longer.

[@sophie092249]

Wonderful tutorial.

[@russofamerica]

Great tutorial, man!

[@vwsunny22]

I love your videos, especially Jerry hanging out in the background! Could you show how to fix and or patch the butt on jeans?

[@ruthie1833]

Thanks for this tutorial! I've 3 pair of jeans that I will be using this technique!

[@zoeward4555]

Just made me wonder whether I could fix an elbow patch onto a sleeve in the same way?! Thanks!

[@constanceallen4390]

This is a great trick. However, on my daughter's (organic vegetables) farm, jeans and overalls are more heavily constructed, especially the ones they wear in winter or for heavy work, with both side seams serged. Tried cutting it open and then putting back together the way you do the jeans hem, which retains the seam, but even that bit of fabric loss distorts the fit. Since you're The Man (Sewing) I bet you have a clever solution!

[@johnM-Jr]

Excellent!

[@XavierRodriguez-l7r]

Outstanding

[@isabelmcconnon3064]

Thank you so much for your video.

[@ChristianBaloga]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@noraholloway4595]

You are Awesome!!!

[@HFDay-qi6yc]

Cool, you made look easy and fun. For a beginner. Now.. got my mojo back again.

[@louisebock8319]

great ideas!

[@rebeccaannjordan5262]

I gave up trying to add denim to the bottom of my jeans. I just sewed strips leopard print corduroy to the bottom. Of course, that was in the 60s, so it was cool.

[@ManSewingVids]

+Rebecca Ann Jordan it was worth a shot! :)

[@cynthiacatnott9012]

I have been doing that for years but need to learn to apply applique patterns.A customer just brought an old pant to repair using pieces of material from another jeans so I am looking for different shapes to use.

[@ivanposternatsky4715]

Good job man thank you for your advice appreciate you

[@raechelyndawn2580]

Wow! Thanks!

[@fabulousmarilyn3.088]

great job

[@harveydharma8188]

that's super cool

[@2010stoof]

So.... What about better made jeans that have the flat felled seams on inside of leg and serged on outside? Since I have a serger you recommend popping serged outside and then stitching and re-serging that side? I'd like if you did this type of repair on a pair like what I mentioned, with flat felled on inside and serged together on outside:-) For those without a serger you can use an overcast or zig zag after the structural seam.

[@MrHaroon05]

Very nice! I can't find the video about adding denim to jeans for a growing kid. Can you please share the link?

[@mariabest3811]

Do older machines have the triple stitch? If not, is a zig-zag stitch the next best thing?? Thanks for the video! So helpful!

[@marlenestitches7523]

How about utilizing leather strips with or w/o stud embellishments...? My 16 yr old grandson would like that.

[@ManSewingVids]

+Marlene Stitches hey that's a fun idea!! Thanks, I'll get to work!

[@AllQuiltedTogetherLLC]

Cargo zippers! You got this Rob!

[@ManSewingVids]

+Jolene Shindler Haha yessss! Silly me, cargo zippers are always the answer!

[@swirlyface1]

Youre Awesome mann!! keep it up!!

[@10sveta85]

The best!

[@lovemaroc9142]

Complimenti sei bravissimo

[@activechild35]

Question! What do you recommend to repair crotch of pants so that it doesn’t look like your undies ate showing? Serious question for my ultimate fav pair of light sky blue Levi’s. Love love love this channel!

[@Rozdlc]

My sister is constantly shortening her jeans while my brother would keep outgrowing his. They used to joke they should cut off the hems of my sister's jeans and sew them on my brother's 😂

[@slyviewer99]

Love the tutorial Rob. I wish you could have shown a sample of the jeans where you cut the zig zag out after patching. I'd like to know how that was done. I have an idea, but i'm afraid of messing up the jeans if i'm wrong. do you just cut a zig zag and then sew it from the right side of the fabric to the jeans patch material? I'd love to see more tutorials on Jean embellishments. Hint Hint :-)

[@alli999999]

slyviewer99 I believe you just lift up the Jean material and carefully cut only the Jean layer which will expose the patch underneath. you don't need to cut much the jeans will fray.

[@Ms13tink]

where were you when I was patching all my Dad's jeans. Life would have been so much easier.

[@toysintheclosetshop5443]

I don't know what kind of jeans you buy but mine all have a flat felled seam on one side and a double stitched serged seam on the other side (Seams serged together).

[@bettyochoa4099]

I like idea,, great but I wish you would have gotten up just a bit closet to the triple stitch , I want to make sure I had the right now . great job! &about your son. but him longer pants and adjust as he grows up!😊

[@LivPurpleNow]

Rob! How do I sew a flat felled inseam on narrow jeans? I’m at my wit’s end!