How to Patch Jeans: 2 Easy Methods (Sashiko & Iron-On)

Got a hole in your jeans? Here are two easy ways to patch them: a hand-stitched sashiko patch for a decorative, visible repair, or a quick iron-on patch if you want something faster. Neither requires a sewing machine.

If you'd rather the mend disappear completely instead of standing out, check out our invisible mending guide instead. But if you're into the idea of turning a rip into a feature (we are), read on: visible mending, sashiko-style, is easy to learn and honestly more fun than it sounds.

This post was updated in July 2026.

This visible mending technique comes from a Japanese tradition called boro, a practice of patching and repairing old textiles out of necessity, which over time became its own beautiful aesthetic in its own right. You'll find endless variations if you go looking (I made a Pinterest board full of gorgeous examples if you want more inspiration).

For me, this isn't really about the aesthetic though. As a mother of two boys, mending the knees of their pants isn't a design choice, it's a weekly necessity. Here's how I do it.

Mending with a Homemade Patch + Sashiko Embroidery

For this patch job, I thought I would try making my own denim patch. I simply cut a piece of denim slightly larger than the area I wanted to cover and zig-zagged the edge to prevent fraying (if you have a serger you could have an even tidier edge). Since this mend is more on the "slightly distressed" side I don't mind a few strays.

Turn your jeans inside out and pin the patch right side down over the hole, placing pins on either side. Slide your hand inside to make sure you're only pinning through the top layer of denim, and to help pull the hole more or less closed as you go. We're using safety pins here since we'll be jamming our hands in and out and flipping things around a lot — mismatched sizes are fine, this is boro after all.

If you have double-sided fusible interfacing, you can also make an "adhesive" patch by layering it between the jeans and the patch. Just trim the interfacing so it doesn't peek through the hole.

There are plenty of needle and thread options here. Sashiko thread is supposedly smoother than embroidery floss and less prone to separating, but I had a whole stash of embroidery thread on hand (friendship bracelets were big in our house for a while), so that's what I used. Whatever needle you choose, make sure it's sharp enough to get through denim — I used a thick embroidery needle here.

Cut a length of thread long enough to finish your stitching in one go, though it's no big deal to add more partway through. Tie a sturdy knot at the end and you're ready to start.

You can start stitching from the top or bottom of the square around your patch — I found it helpful to roll the pant leg up first (especially on these tiny ones) so I could reach both sides easily. Run your needle through from the inside and pull it tight to the knot. From here, you'll work from the outside.

The most basic sashiko stitch (sashiko means "little stabs" in Japanese) is just a running or basting stitch. Load up as many stitches as will fit on your needle at once, then pull them through periodically to keep your tension even.

Since these stitches are visible, how tidy or uniform you make them is entirely up to you. I went back in afterward and added more stitches for a denser look — play around and see what you like.

Once you have run the length of your patch you can simply turn the corner by starting from underneath and coming up at the start of your next row. This way only the horizontal stitches are seen.

Part of the charm (and strength) of this method is that you don't need to be precise. Just keep stitching over the hole and patch without worrying whether each stitch grabs both layers of fabric. You can even stitch right over a pin, as long as you're going over the outer part, since that's the part you can still slide out later. Just avoid catching the inner part of the pin, or you won't be able to remove it.

Once you are happy with your mending, stick your needle through to the inside and flip you pants inside out. Secure your work by stitching a few loops through just the patch and tying a tight knot.

Once I stepped back and looked at it, I decided I wanted a denser stitch, partly for the look, partly for durability (this is a 5-year-old's jeans we're talking about). Adding more stitches is easy: just load up your needle and dig in wherever things look a little bare.

Happy with the look, I tied off my thread and called it done. This isn't a perfectionist method, and that's exactly what I love about it: it's versatile, easy, and forgiving. With kid number two growing into these same clothes, it's great to know I can keep adding stitches, colours, and patches as needed. There's a real beauty in how the layers build up over time, and something deeply satisfying about making perfectly good clothes last that much longer

Mending with a Store-Bought Patch

Another option is the store-bought iron-on patch. With the addition of a blanket stitch around the edge, this is a tidier option and super strong. You will need an iron-on patch big enough to cover your hole and a piece of parchment paper in addition to your needle and thread.

My hole here wasn't very big so I wasn't concerned about the glue on the patch going through to the other side but if yours is bigger, just put a piece of parchment paper in the leg behind your hole. You want to make sure your iron is set to hot and no steam. Press for 30 seconds or until the edges are good and secure.

For this method, I used a contrasting thread, but use whatever you like. Tie a hefty knot in your thread, then start from the inside and sew through both the patch and jeans, pulling it taut to the knot. From here, you can decide your stitch length. I wanted a fairly strong, tight finish, but you could space your stitches out more for a different look (yellow thread would be fun and sunny here). Try it out on a scrap first to see what suits your project.

This blanket stitch is made by sewing a loop and passing the needle a few needle widths away from your first stitch. You then pass through the loop and pull tight.

Continue around your patch with this stitch. I rolled up the pant leg and had a hand inside just to get a better grip on things.

With this stitch, the thread follows the middle of the stitch. So you can change the stitch length, just be sure to make it the same on both sides so the crossing thread covers the edge of your patch.

Once you make it all the way around, finish your last stitch with the needle on the inside of your jeans and flip them inside out. Here you can finish them up the same way by sewing through a few loops and making a nice tight knot. Trim the ends and you are finished!

Et voila! You have a nice clean finish that will extend the life of your jeans and adds a cute, custom detail.

Now for the kid test...

As you can see, the options are absolutely endless for this.  On these grey jeans, I cut two matching iron-on patches into more of a square shape and stitched them in a matching thread using a basic overcast/whip stitch. Since the patches are already secure this is just decoration but you could use a smaller, tighter stitch for even more durability. It was nice to have a project where I could watch some tv, snuggle up on the couch and not be trapped behind my sewing machine. It is such a fun way to customize your pants and add some flair while extending their life.

Happy mending!