Hubs has about worn his blue jeans out. I guess that’s what happens when you wear nothing but blue jeans 7 days a week for a solid year. Normally, he wears khakis to work, but since he now works from home most of the time – it’s blue jeans.

I noticed holes next to the back pockets on his jeans when I was sorting clothes for laundry. You know where the corner of the pocket is sewn to the jeans? Well, I could stick my finger through said holes.

Time to get out the sewing machine.

Supplies needed:
1. Iron on denim patch in similar shade
2. Regular polyester thread in a matching shade
3. Size 90/14 denim needle
4. Regular or narrow presser foot

Steps:

1. Trim away loose threads from around the hole.
2. Cut a piece from the denim patch large enough to cover the hole plus .5″ – 1″ extra all the way around.
3. Fuse denim piece to wrong side of jeans. Be sure to center patch over the hole. Follow manufacturer’s directions to ensure the patch sticks.
4. Change needle and thread machine.
5. From the right side, sew back and forth over patch using a straight stitch until hole is filled in. You could also follow your manual’s directions for machine darning, if you like.

For a rip, follow the same directions, only use a 3 step zigzag stitch to go over the ripped area at least 3x to make sure the edges stay together. Use a straight stitch and go back & forth to fill in any remaining holes.

I found some Coats & Clark jeans thread my local Joann’s. It was a spot-on match for the jeans. Unfortunately, it shredded like crazy, even after changing the needle. I switched to regular C&C thread. Worked like a charm.

My Featherweight actually did a better job of repairing the hole than my big fancy sewing machine. I think the narrow, hinged presser foot made all the difference. A narrow, adjustable zipper foot might also do the trick on machines with a 5-7mm stitch width opening.

Just a quick note to advise that the Beginning Quilting class scheduled to begin 4/24/21 at Stitch N Quilt has been postponed. We anticipate rescheduling the class to start in mid-June.

Pattern: Yellow Brick Road from Atkinson Designs

Size: Lap

Core class will be piecing the top.

Add-on segments include quilt prep/basting, walking foot quilting and binding/label.

A library card is your ticket to a wide range of quilting resources:

• Books
• Magazines
• Videos
• Computers
• Copiers
• Internet
• Printers
• Meeting spaces
• Crafting/maker events
• Art exhibits
• Passes to local attractions

My local library sponsors Crafternoons, CraftTEAs, embroidery groups, knitting groups, etc.

Some libraries even lend sewing machines. Check out this cool post about a Singer Featherweight Lending Library.

Library cards are usually FREE or have a nominal fee (say $25.00/year).

As life begins to return to normal, libraries are starting to reopen. I challenge you to do the following 5 things:

1. Obtain/renew/find your library card.
2. Search the library catalog for “quilting”. Set the results to sort with the newest items presented first.
3. Place a hold on titles you’d like to borrow.
4. If you like to read on a mobile device, download the Libby app to your tablet or phone. Here’s where you can look at new quilting magazines without spending a dime! Repeat steps 2 & 3 in the Libby app.
5. Check the library’s events calendar to see if there are any upcoming F2F or virtual craft nights. Join in!

Support your local library by donating gently used books (quilting and otherwise) to your local Friends of the Library group or any Better World Books donation bins that you might find in your community.