Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Putting holes in clothes and other things
• Method 2 of 2: Get the best results
• Tips
• Necessities

Knowing how to punch a hole in clothing or other fabric is a useful skill. Fixing things instead of buying new ones can save you money and extend the life of your clothes, blankets, and other gear. It is easy to plug holes and you can plug a hole in minutes. Just make sure to stop holes as soon as you see them or they can get bigger and take more time to fix.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Putting holes in clothes and other things

1. Put a thread through your needle. Start by putting a matching thread of yarn or wool through your needle. Insert the thread or yarn through the eye of the needle, then pull it through so that most of the thread is on one side and the other side is only about 2 inches (5 cm) long. Take the needle by the eye to prevent the thread from coming loose while sewing.
   • Remember you will need more or less thread or yarn depending on the size of the hole. For example, a small hole only needs about 12 inches of wire, while a large hole needs as much as two feet to cover it. Put more thread on your needle than you think you will need.
   • The size of the needle you need depends on the garment and the type of thread you are using. Use a needle with an eye large enough to thread your thread.
2. Turn the garment inside out or to the wrong side. It is important to work on the side of your project that is not visible. If your object is a piece of clothing, turn the clothing inside out. If your object is a flat piece of fabric, such as a blanket or tablecloth, turn it the wrong way.
3. Use a curved object as a guide. To ensure that your clothes and other items maintain their natural shape and stretch, it is a good idea to use a curved object as a guide, also known as stop mushroom. You can buy a stop mushroom from craft stores or just use something you have lying around at home.
   • For example, you can use a standard light bulb as a guide when darning socks or you can use the curvature of a large bowl as a guide when darning a sweater or blanket.
   • For some of those things, such as cloth napkins and tablecloths, it may be better to use an embroidery frame.
4. Stitch over the hole in one direction. Insert the needle 1.5 cm before the hole starts and stitch up to 1.5 cm after the hole. Then repeat the stitch in the opposite direction. Make sure to stitch 1.5cm past the edges of the hole on both sides to make sure the hole is well covered.
   • Do not pull on the thread or yarn to tighten the mark. If you do that, it will bulge. The goal is to use your curved object or the tension of the embroidery frame as a guide to ensure that the stitching fuses with the rest of the fabric.
5. Weave the thread or yarn through the stitches. After you have covered the entire hole with stitches in one direction once, weave through these stitches to make a net. Insert your needle under the first stitch on one side and then go perpendicular (as if you were making a T shape) on the stitches. Then you weave the thread over the next stitch. Continue to the end of the stitch, then weave back in the opposite direction.
   • Also, do not pull on the woven stitches. That's how they start to bulge. Continue to use your stopping mushroom or embroidery frame as a guide.
   • Try to make the fabric as tight as in the garment you are mending. For example, if you are darning a loose knit, the stitches should be a little apart. If you are darning a knit later, the stitches should be tight.
6. Tie a knot to secure the yarn or weave it through a few more times. When you are done weaving through your first round of stitches, you can secure the thread to complete the darning. Secure the thread by making a knot through the last stitch, or weaving the thread through the object a few more times.
   • If you decide to tie a knot, be careful not to pull on the thread or it will bulge. Also make sure to put the knot on the inside or the wrong side of your object.
   • Remember that a knot can feel uncomfortable on the sole of a sock, so it is better to weave in a few more times. This will be enough to hold the stitching in place.

Method 2 of 2: Get the best results

1. Use a suitable needle. It is important to choose a needle that works for your project and that works with the needle you are using. There are special darning needles, which usually have larger eyes. If you need a needle with an oversized eye for threading wool, you can use a wool needle.
   • If your garment is a medium to heavy weight knit, then you should use a darning needle or wool needle with a large eye. If your garment is of a lighter weight, such as jersey, linen, or fine knit, you should use a needle with a smaller eye.
   • You may also want to consider using an embroidery needle for a piece of delicate fabric. An embroidery needle has a blunt point, so it is less likely to catch on something when darning.
2. Choose a matching thread or yarn. It is important to choose thread or thread that is roughly the same diameter and color as the thread or thread with which your piece is made. Compare your garment with different types of thread or yarn to see which is the least noticeable.
   • Keep in mind that a plugged hole has a slightly different texture than the rest of your object, so it can still show if you take the same color and thickness of wire. However, the plugged hole will be much less noticeable if you find a good thread or yarn for your object.
3. Consider taking a mushroom before quitting. A stopping mushroom is something specially made for stopping. It's a bent piece of wood on a stick. You can hold the stick between your knees while the object is on the mushroom. Check your local craft supply store if you want to buy a stop mushroom.
   • Stop mushrooms are sometimes also called stop eggs. Stop mushrooms or eggs come with or without a stand. With a stand you can stop while you are sitting or standing and the object is on the table.
   • Keep in mind that some projects, such as cloth napkins and tablecloths, may be easier to stop if you use an embroidery frame to hold your work in place. You can also find embroidery frames of various sizes at craft stores. Take a good look at your object before choosing a mushroom or embroidery frame.
4. Stop objects as soon as you see a hole in them. It is important to regularly check your clothes and other objects for holes and to fix any holes you see right away. The longer you leave the hole alone, the more likely it is to become a larger hole, requiring more time and material to fix it. Check for holes in socks, sweaters, blankets and other things every time you wash them.

Tips

• Use a cotton or strong synthetic thread for the most durable results.

Necessities

• Darning needle
• Thread or yarn that matches your object
• Stop mushroom or other round thing
• Embroidery hoop (optional)
• Scissors