We’ve all experienced a moment when we notice that our favorite go-to shirt had developed holes. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about the next time this happens and there’s no need to throw away your beloved clothes. All you have to do is to follow this simple guide on how to sew circle holes.
But before you sew up the hole, make sure to consider the size and how ragged the rip is, along with the type of fabric in question. A narrow split seam is a lot easier to sew up than a large, proper hole in the fabric. If the hole your need to fix is a split seam, then you will be able to sew the seam back together using a strong thread. If there is actually fabric missing, you can reinforce the hole with thread, or sew a patch over the hole
Table of Contents
Prepare Your Needle And Thread
Get a thread roll and a needle.
As much as possible, use a thread that matches the color of your clothing. If the stitch will not be visible from outside the garment, then the color of the thread does not matter. You may also opt for a vibrantly-colored thread to complement or contrast with your fabric.
Choose the right needle for your cloth
If the fabric you’ll work on is thick and tough, such as leather, denim, or a multi-layered cloth, use a sharp, heavy needle so that you can pierce the cloth without a lot of effort. For thin or soft fabric, any needle will do. Still, you want to make sure to use a more delicate needle.
Make sure that you have enough thread
If you’re not sure, lay the thread over the torn area for reference. Use approximately 10 inches more than the length you think you will need. Sewing in and out will take up a lot of your thread. Hence, you will need a little more than the length of the needle when tying the final knot. Also, thicker fabrics will require more thread.
Thread your needle
Make sure that the tip of the thread is not split but tight. If it is frayed, wet it, and then roll using your fingers. Doing so can help it go easily through the needle’s eye. A needle threader is very useful if you have one.
Knot the thread
Hold both ends of the thread. Tie a small knot to keep the far tip from slipping through the fabric after the needle.
Different Ways On How To Sew Circle Holes
How To Sew A Split Seam
Step 1: Identify the split seam
In comparison to a larger hole, a split seam is fairly easy to repair. Usually, this is where the thread joining the two pieces of fabric joined by stitching is missing or broken and the seam is open, thus, creating a hole. In most cases, sewing the seam back together can take care of the problem.
Step 2: Turn your garment inside out
Expose the seam of your garment. You may want to gently iron your garment on the appropriate heat setting for the fabric, and then pin the seams carefully back together.
Step 3: Sew along the seam line
Sew by hand using a needle and thread or sewing machine along the original seam line with nice, small stitches for strength. Overlap the intact part of the original seam, and make sure to knot the thread well.
Carefully clip any hanging threads to finish the job.
How To Reinforce A Hole
Step 1: Measure the hole
If the hole is too big, you’ll need some cloth to fix it. If the pockets were also ripped, you’ll have to sew it. The patch needs to be the same color as your garment. Likewise, it should be big enough to sew up the entire hole.
Step 2: Assess the missing fabric
The most challenging type of hole to sew up is one where there is a fabric missing. For example, a worn-out hole in the knees of trousers, or the elbow of a jacket.
Avoid attempting to sew the hole up without attaching any additional fabric. This will only gather the fabric together and tug at the shape of your garment, which will result in a messy lump.
Step 3: Use a reinforcing patch
If the hole is tattered into the seam line or somewhere in the middle of your clothing, then you will need to reinforce the area. Cut to size a small piece of fabric of the same weight and color as your garment.
Lay the patching fabric under the hole, right side up. Then, bring the edges of the hole as close together as possible, without puckering the hole. Apply a small zig-zag stitch on the sewing machine to stitch around the edges of the hole, catching as much fabric (both patch and garment) as possible to make the patch hold.
Step 4: Strengthen the torn ends
Begin stitching about around an inch before the torn area. This is especially important if the existing stitch was loosened or ripped. Stitching a bit back from the ends will support the fabric and stop further tearing.
Slip the needle through the cloth, and carefully weave the thread in and out of the cloth. For consistency, try to keep the distance between each stitch to about 2 mm.
Step 5: Circle back next to the first stitch
Repeat until there is nothing left to sew. If your garment is seriously frayed, it may require an overlocking.
Hold the cloth and stitch it so that the frayed end is folded inwards. Fold the cloth one or two times, then stitch it shut to prevent the cloth from tearing again.
Step 6: Finish the job
Stretch and press your cloth. Make sure that the thread does not get tangled halfway through the stitch.
Press the stitched area between your fingers. Then, run through the stitch to remove air gaps or unevenness of the cloth. To finish the job, make a knot and snip the thread.
