How To Mend a Hole in a T-Shirt the Easy Way
Got a hole in your favorite t-shirt but not a fan of sewing? No problem! This little hack is quick, simple and works like a charm!
I used to wonder WHY I was getting these little holes at the bottom front of my shirts. Even after wearing t-shirts a few times, and with high quality premium shirts, these little buggers would show up.
No worries. I’m going to share with you the answer to this mystery and give you a way to fix these holes without having to get out a needle and thread AND show you how to prevent them from now on.
What causes these tiny holes in t-shirts?
You may have thought it was because of poor fabric quality or moths. Nope.
These tiny holes in your t-shirts are caused by objects that stress the threads in the knit fabric
In most cases, it’s the button of your jeans or your belt buckle. This is my issue. I like wearing a belt, so that’s a problem and when you wear a belt and don’t do the “front tuck” thing you can get several holes in one area.
Even if you don’t wear a belt, that darn metal button on your pants, will cause problems.
Here are some other culprits that may be causing a hole in a t-shirt? Car seat belts, sharp corners on tables and counter tops, and shoulder bags that you wear repeatably.
I was so happy when I figured this out how to mend all these shirts instead of having to throw them away. Yay!
How to mend a hole in a t-shirt
This is such a quick and simple thing to do. You’re going to love it.
Materials & items needed
- Small piece of lightweight fusible interfacing
- Scissors
- Small piece of Stitch Witchery or fusible webbing
- Iron and ironing board
- Button Covers (optional)
Instructions for mending a hole in a t-shirt
1- Lay your t-shirt wrong side facing out on the ironing board
2- Smooth out the fabric
3- Cut a small square of the interfacing about 1 x 1 inch
4- Cut another square of the webbing slightly smaller
5- Round off the corners of both squares with the scissors
6- Center and place the webbing on top of the hole
7- Place the interfacing on top of the webbing. Make sure none of the webbing fabric is sticking out. IT WILL MELT ONTO YOUR IRON!
8- Set the iron to the COTTON AND STEAM setting
9- Place the hot iron on the patch and press for 10 seconds (DON’T MOVE THE IRON AROUND).
10- Flip the shirt so the right side is facing up.
11- Gently take your fingernails and close the hole by pressing the edges of the hole together.
10- Flip the shirt so the right side is facing up.
11- Gently take your fingernails and close the hole by pressing the edges of the hole together.
Tad-ah! That’s all there is to it.
How to prevent holes in your t-shirts
Here are a few ways to prevent this from happening again.
- Tuck your t-shirts into your trousers and skirts. This will keep the shirt from rubbing against your belt or buttons
- Wear a “button cover” It’ll stop your t-shirt from touching your trousers button.
These little gadgets are a life saver. They are made from soft silicone and slip right over your buttons.
- Choose belts with smooth buckles.
Unfortunately, button covers alone won’t prevent those tiny holes in t-shirts if you are wearing a square of big belt.
Now you know what causes these little holes in clothes and t-shirts, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them, hopefully this will save you a little money, and allow you to keep your favorite t-shirts in top shape.
6 Comments
If you mentioned this already in the instructions and I overlooked it, then I apologize in advance for asking, but when I went to order the materials, I was given the option to purchase woven or non woven….and I wasn’t sure which one I should choose….
Hello Summer,
If you are referring to the iron on interfacing, this is the type I use. It doesn’t say whether it is woven or not. But if you are using another brand and have an option, use the UNWOVEN. Here is the link to the onle I use. https://geni.us/21zQf. I hope that was helpful.
-Jan
A simple and clever fix to extend your favorite tee’s life!
https://www.blanks.ca/
Dear Jan, I wish I could give you a hug! I have been almost in tears looking at all of the expensive tops that have these little holes in them! At first, I thought it was the washing machine! I even involved my husband in this riddle, trying to find the cause. Thank you so much. Now it’s time to get ironing!
I’m so glad to hear this was helpful. Let me know how it goes.
Hi Jan!! I’m late to this game but so happy I found it! I, too, get holes in my shirts right where my belt buckle hits. I’m about to mend some shirts per your tutorial but I’ve found if I move my buckle to the right where the part that goes in the belt hole sits under the pants belt loop, it does help from rubbing my shirts when I’m close to countertops, etc. It works great if your top covers that area sufficiently.