How to: Repair SEAMS in Clothing | Hand Sewing Tutorial | Mending Sweatpants

This video lesson shows you how to repair ripped seams in clothing by hand. I use a (very badly!) damaged pair of sweatpants for the demo.
Method 1 is backstitch and method 2 is ladder stitch, both of which can be used on knit fabrics. On woven fabrics I would only use the backstitch technique.
I hope this is useful!
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[@prettyanimewatcher]

This is the most helpful sewing tutorial I’ve stumbled across so far. Every other video I’ve found shows you the stitch once they’ve already threaded the needle and started to sew. I really appreciate how you told us how to thread it, how to start it, how to do the stitch and how to finish off the stitches when you’re done.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks very much, glad it was helpful!

[@Bandrik]

You do a really good job of explaining the "how" to do it, but also the "why" each stitch is the way it's made. Good stuff, thanks!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks! :D

[@DietMayos]

I was at work and tore the seam on my costume. This tutorial right here showed me how to fix it quickly and I’ve never sewed in my life! Thanks so much for making a video I can easily follow.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks and I'm glad it helped you!

[@kimmelody2530]

02:20 for those who want to go straight into back stitch 05:35 for those who wants to go straight ladder stitch 09:40 whip stitch to finish

[@bowtiepotato554]

Thank you! I always appreciate when time stamps are given 👏🏼

[@kimmelody2530]

@@bowtiepotato554 welcome just wanted to help hehe ❤️

[@highjinx6519]

@Tripp Malachi F off with your shameless ads. If you’re not a bot you’re F’ng pathetic. If you feel the need to hack your significant other your relationship is OVER already. Grow some self respect and move on and quit trying to screw with other people’s happiness. POS Edit: On a freaking sewing video no less!!!

[@gkillmaster]

Thank you so much for this clear video! I'm 68 and just now learning to repair my clothes and this is such a great find! I really appreciate it!

[@gkillmaster]

I couldn't see what you did after you threaded the 2 ends through the eye? Did you tie it off? Thanks again!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Hi! Sorry for the late reply. Once the 2 ends of thread went through the needle, I didn't tie anything, I just made a small stitch in the fabric, didn't pull the thread the entire way through - so there was just a loop of thread left - then took the needle through that loop and tightened. That secures the thread to the fabric :)

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are very welcome!

[@gkillmaster]

@@RokoleeDIY O, I see! That seems like a much better way of securing the first stitch rather than relying on a tiny knot! Thanks for the reply!

[@tyroneroche14]

Sorry Mum, I never listened whenever you tried to teach me. Luckily there are lovely videos on the internet to help me sew my work pants back together

[@jennymckenny5612]

This video helped me save 2 of my favourite pairs of gym leggings thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent!

[@paul_dz]

the idea/technique of doubling the tread - so simple but so much stronger - probably well known to those who sew - but I never saw it before - thanks

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you found it useful :)

[@michelleannaaao]

I dont know that Ill ever be able to sew the simplest stitch without your guide. I have returned to your videos an embarrassing number of times. Thank you for taking the time to make them!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks, it's nice to hear my videos have been useful!

[@lclooney07]

Stitching up my clothes always scared me! I know, silly. Thank you so much for this video. It really helped!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome! :D

[@lilydarrigo9376]

my boyfriend’s pants ripped 30 mins before he had to go to work and it was his only clean pair. I saw this tutorial and I stitched them up in about 10 minutes with the first method. I’m familiar with sewing, but it’s been a while. You’re super explanatory and helpful! Thank you so much

[@RokoleeDIY]

Brilliant :D

[@jonmulvey6141]

I'm new at this sewing thing. Trying to make some pants lasts a while. I'm a big guy and I get a lot of wear in the inseam area so I used your ladder method to fix them. Hopefully it will last Lol. So I just wanted to say your video was a big help and I learned a better way of stitching up stuff so thank you.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks, I'm so glad you found it useful :D

[@blueroadsroll]

This was so helpful, thank you. I like how you describe the stitches and their benefits. I had to fix a backpack, a hat, and the pocket of a pair of shorts. The shorts I had tried to sew before but the repair came apart after several washings, so I've now done a whip stitch up the entire tear and it looks much stronger.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Glad the video helped you :D

[@whitemailprivilege2830]

I just stitched up the seam along the back rise of my trousers, AKA the butt seam. It was getting a little loose and I didn’t want any surprises. 😂 Now, with this double thread it is nice and tight! Thank you very much.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! :D

[@Juan-ln9qg]

Hello, thanks for the help. I have old cargo pants that are torn from the groin, the seams were worn out. And I appreciate the detail and how you explain each sewing technique. Thanks a bunch. I can definitely say that you help a lot of people.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw that's great to hear, I'm glad it was helpful! :D

[@williamblackmon7342]

Well....I am a skilled tradesman by vocation and so I was going to try to use finish nails or some staples to repair a torn shirt seam, that is until I found your video. I am no good at this kinda of thing but with this video, your exceptional instructions, and clear narration, I will attempt needle and thread. BTW, great accent!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Ha thanks very much! Happy sewing :)

[@maadhat]

Thanks to your excellent video I just mended the seam on the finger of a glove successfully. Cheers!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Brilliant!

[@mattw4405]

Thanks very much, helped me sew my sons training top,lovely calm voice which helped me through

[@han.nah.]

Thank you very much. I am a young wife and mother & have been meaning to learn how to better mend clothing tears. Your video was easy to follow!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you! :)

[@Matthew-yp6nj]

Fixed 4 of my shirts with this tutorial. I am forever in your debt.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Ha yay! Well done :)

[@logancarbin8160]

Thank you so much! this saved me 15 dollars just now for half a cent worth of thread!

[@Yus1409]

Really good, thank you. I have never sewn anything before and this video really helped me. I watched a few before this one but was frustrated and struggling. This was easy to follow and a really good technique.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank very much :D I'm glad you found it useful

[@cifafs3]

Was able to repair 3 different shirts using the first method, so thanks! Made me question why my household owns so many holey clothes though 😂

[@RokoleeDIY]

Ha well done!

[@cydernie]

Thank you so much! My favorite sweatpants had the sticking at one of the seams come apart and I was really sad thinking I’d have to trash it. But now I think I can fix it. I’ve never known how to sew so we will see how this goes. Thank you!!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Hope it went well :)

[@carolineirene3122]

this was so so helpful and clear. Ive watched other videos cause I'm sick of going to the tailor for simple rips but they never made sense. I revisited the challenge with this video and now I can wear one of my fave skirts again! thank you so much!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Brilliant! Well done, I'm glad the video helped you :)

[@sav3802]

Thank you! I have too many pairs of ripped leggings so this helped a lot!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Thanks for watching :)

[@jnlj]

Wow you just made my life better fixing my leggings seemed impossible but thanks to this video I learn how I loved it

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad I could help! :)

[@leeob2811]

Really needed this tutorial, ripped my trousers before going to work today.! So thank you souch for this.!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome!

[@mayy5292]

The best explanation I’ve found so far. Thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're very welcome!

[@amandalorian]

Omg, thank you. The seam on my favorite yoga pants ripped and this helped me repair it. I've never sewed anything before, but it was kinda fun. Might try sewing some more stuff. 🙂

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw glad you enjoyed it :D

[@korok_oaki]

So glad I found this! Very clear instructions and saved me having to buy new PJs. Thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it was helpful!

[@waqupi]

thank you! this was really easy to understand

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you :)

[@isuminoru9611]

Thank you so much! I have this awesome blazer that was given to me as it was a sample product. It was love at first sight but it needed some repairing. I was unsure since I know nothing about sewing, thanks again

[@RokoleeDIY]

I hope you manage to fix your blazer :)

[@phil1921]

great video, been ive seen probably a dozen repair stitching videos over the years and yours definitely stands out as the best of them. thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw, thanks very much! :D

[@jjmaster94]

I've never sewn before and repaired my first seam of a t-shirt today using your video. Thanks!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Glad it helped you :)

[@HektorBandimar]

Thank you, I need to sew up the seam of my sleeve on my favourite fleece jumper, now I know how, ( I think! ) 🙂

[@RokoleeDIY]

You can do it! :p

[@HektorBandimar]

@@RokoleeDIY Thanks :)

[@kevinthealienfpv]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you for the straightforward explanations, multiple options, and the tips.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're very welcome!

[@user-jk8eo2zt3o]

This is my first time mending and you can still see the back stitches despite the thread being a similar colour to the fabric.Though I’m alright with that since the tear is fixed. Thank you for the clear instructions and explanations Miss.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You’re welcome 😊

[@michaltodorovic1077]

Never sewed before, was able to hack a repair on a new jacket that ripped on the seam. Any mistakes were mine, thank you for guiding me through the parts that went right!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Awesome! Glad you succeeded

[@mainerockflour3462]

I was vacationing traveling on a train when I had torn my backpack. The only thing I had available was floss and it worked in a pinch. Took me across America without much of a complaint😉 Cheers

[@oliviag1865]

Thanks for the video, this was so useful I come back to it every time I need a reminder on how to do this. Such a great idea to use white thread so we can see clearly. Thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you...I'm so glad it was helpful! :D

[@benjaminjarrett6912]

My Favorite Christmas sweater had a loose seam, causing the arm to be split open 😭 I had never sewn anything before, but thanks to this video I was able to stitch it back together! 😊

[@RokoleeDIY]

Brilliant! Thanks for watching :D

[@mo_o_k]

Thank you for making this video! This is super useful, clear, and easy to understand. I'm trying it now!

[@RokoleeDIY]

So glad you liked it!

[@itsdavo5810]

just fixed a broken seam for the very first time. thank you very much!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent!

[@Maharetr]

You're an absolute legend -- thank you so much for making this!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Haha you're very welcome!

[@Kindness-love5566]

You've done a great job explaining and demonstrating the two sewing techniques! I would like to know how you threaded the needle. I double threaded mine a little different but i would love to learn your technique. Thank you love!

[@GrouchyFisherman]

Thank you for this tutorial, helped me get my ice fishing bibs fixed up nicely.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! :D

[@binarycortex]

That was amazing! Thank you so much for making this easy!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You are so welcome! :D

[@nyet-qr4763]

Thanks, most useful. I had to repair my trousers and hadn't stiched in years.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! Glad you found it helpful

[@ayushakhalid]

Thankyouuu so much for demonstrating it so well!! ♥️♥️

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're so welcome!

[@at5988]

Thank you. Mission accomplished. Joggers live to see another day. ❤

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent!

[@luckydernoob5517]

Finally i dont have to trow my joggers away anymore , good job !

[@eileenfordonski5661]

Great video on the how and why. Perfect length & I love listening to your voice :-) Glad to learn the ladder stitch! Thank you !

[@RokoleeDIY]

Aw thanks very much :)

[@florrrina]

This was really helpful. Thank you so much.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome :)

[@aosandstone5493]

Thanks I used the second method to mend the seam on my headphone pad

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent! :D

[@wesleypierre8227]

"Life saver, you are" *in my Yoda voice 🤩

[@RokoleeDIY]

Ha :D

[@scottwilliamson3210]

My mended sweatshirt and I thank you. 🙏

[@ngawangsherab9724]

Thanks Ma'am. It's very helpful.

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome :) Thanks for watching!

[@elissajo3671]

Very helpful, thank you!!!

[@hollygolightly8048]

Very concise video that is well done. Thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@ravencomplex1129]

Mine looks ugly as sin. But for a first try, it's fixed and that's all I care about. Thank you!

[@harithusagi]

Thank you very much for this video. Very informative.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you for watching :)

[@l7le]

Nice and helpful video!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks!

[@SensibleSal]

Thank You. Amazing tutorial. Life saver

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it helped!

[@bigbuffy62]

This REALLY helped! Thanks!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad to hear it!

[@robotboy3104]

this video is super informative and helpful, thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're so welcome!

[@theKaraProject]

Great video, easy to understand!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad it was helpful! :)

[@PaulyPop]

I just sewed my pillow shut, thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Great! Thanks for watching :)

[@XDFRailRoadCooler]

Double stitching makes it strong, & is less likely 2 come apart

[@susanpwaitt]

Well done, thank you.

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@rmdewberry2482]

I just fixed a popped seam in a brand new pair of underwear. Thanks!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Excellent!

[@slcrack]

thank you

[@alimills4238]

Brilliant! Thank You! 💖🙏💖

[@RokoleeDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@makmayzebaby8547]

Awesome instructions:)

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks :D

[@lima6441]

Thanks

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thanks for watching :)

[@rey-e4a]

thank you 💞🥹

[@cobraroyalty]

Thanks you ❤️

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome :)

[@eazymoney6158]

I’m doing this or going to try after watching the video, instead of clothing it’ll be the tongue of a Jordan shoe, wish me luck!!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Good luck! Hope it goes (or has gone) well :)

[@eazymoney6158]

@@RokoleeDIY yeah it went okay the thread didn’t tighten how i hoped it would, other than that it held the piece together

[@samrush]

Amazing Thanx

[@RokoleeDIY]

Thank you!

[@jaytoussaint9598]

Thanks for your help. :)

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome!

[@joshuabrunk6672]

I don’t understand how your thread is on the needle. I learned to sew a button but the way you didn’t tie a knot on your thread has me confused. It’s really frustrating to be as stupid as I am.

[@SaS-mc1yl]

Thanks dear but still I want to know, what happens to that area where the seam starts to rip off, do I have to secure a knot something before I start to hand sew from that area? But no loose threads available for a knot. I hope that just stays&won't fray anymore🙏

[@RokoleeDIY]

You only need to secure the sewing thread to your fabric, you don't need to do anything with the loose fabric fibres (except maybe cut them off after you've finished sewing). If the fabric is threadbare, you either need to enclose that in the seam so it's no longer visible, or you could darn over that weak area. I don't show darning in this video though :)

[@amsvelasquez]

The back stitch was really hard so I just used the ladder stitch ;v;

[@RokoleeDIY]

:D

[@myhvKun]

My backstich came out horrible, but it's holding!

[@RokoleeDIY]

Ha, as long as it works!

[@brucecook502]

thank you :-)

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome :)

[@miguelarguello2325]

I don’t understand the threading the needle part idk how there is a loop left at the end? Lol I’m clueless

[@tauseefsarwar4189]

How durable it is? The material starts to tear from the points of sewing

[@RokoleeDIY]

Unfortunately if the fabric is worn around the stitches, then eventually it will rip again because there is now a weak point. Professionals who have a sewing machine can do a better job of this kind of repair, but the seams & neighbouring fabric won't ever be as good as new. This method will prolong their life though :)

[@animegirl383]

What if you didn't have enough thread to finish the stitch work?

[@RokoleeDIY]

You'll need to secure the end of the current thread and carry on with a different piece of thread :)

[@blu3363]

❤️‍🔥❤️❤️❤️

[@sheryinmoua8486]

4:45 securing end of stitch

[@BrianPhillips-g7s]

The thread is to hard to understand. She did it too fast and off camera

[@Bravemeister]

I mean I’m a absolute beginner and that CUT before actually sealing the final knot at the end of the stitch, and to cut and fade into really doesn’t help:( I’d prefer to copy exactly how you did it instead I’m left guessing

[@RokoleeDIY]

Sorry, I didn't realise I'd cut the video there - but at 4:45 you can see the end step where I secure the thread, and you just repeat that a couple of times to finish.

[@roohalmosawi4150]

and it's going to take for ever lol

[@danieldelozier8081]

Maybe don’t take and do things off camera….

[@j4878]

Thank you!

[@RokoleeDIY]

You're welcome!

[@j4878]

@@RokoleeDIY currently wearing my old shorts that I was able to fix using your tutorial. Backstitching is a very handy technique, fighting!~