Things You'll Need
Fabric pen or marker or piece of chalk
Cotton thread
Scissors
Needle
Iron-on patch
Clothing iron
Small holes in cotton clothing often result from snagging or destructive moths and insects that eat tiny holes into the clothing typically no bigger than a pellet. Small holes are easy to mend and unnoticeable after repairs. Larger holes are more noticeable, but there are ways to hide the larger holes so that you do not have to throw out a favorite cotton garment over one or two small holes.
Step 1
Examine the garment to find all small holes that need mending. If necessary, mark where each hole is by circling with a fabric pen, marker or a simple piece of pastel chalk that will wash out easily.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Take the garment you are mending with you to purchase a spool of cotton thread that is the exact same color as the garment or that spot on the garment. For a broader selection of threading, visit a crafting, hobby or sewing supply store.
Step 3
Cut an arm's length piece of cotton threading for small holes under ¼-inch in diameter. Thread the needle, doubling the string and tying a small knot at the end of the string to make a complete look from the string.
Step 4
Turn the garment inside out and hold the piece up and pucker the edges of the holes together. Sew long stitches over the hole instead of around the hole in order to cover the hole without making the sewn spot noticeable.
Step 5
Unfold and stretch out the piece before securing the thread once the hole is mended; this ensures that the cotton does not pucker around the mended spots. Pull the threaded needle underneath the previous stitches then cut off the excess string and repeat the entire process on another small hole.
Tip
Holes larger than ¼-inch require repairs with plain or decorative patches to prevent puckering around the mended spots. For such repair, iron on a patch and then sew the patch into place around the perimeter of the hole.
Match the mending thread as closely as possible. For multi-colored color garments with several holes, use several different thread colors in order to mend each small hole in the appropriate color.
Video of the Day