Spotted: Repair Torn Jeans with Lace

Did your favorite pair of jeans get an unsightly rip? You can repair torn jeans by adding a sassy lace detail!

We are all about mending instead of replacing around here, and one of my favorite things about mending is that you can make your repair into the centerpiece of the garment. That could mean using contrasting thread, a cute patch, or - like Sophie at The Forge - a super cute lace reverse applique!

What is reverse applique?

For these purposes, you can think of applique as basically a fancy word for patch, and a reverse applique is a patch sewn behind the hole or tear, rather than on top. So, instead of sewing a piece of lace on top of the hole in your jeans, you sew it in on the inside of the garment, so the lace peeks out from behind the tear.

I love the depth that reverse applique can give a project. Some designers use it intentionally on original garments and accessories, and using it for repair adds some interest while fixing a problem at the same time. How cool is that?

Using this method for a repair is easy as pie. If you don't have lace handy, you could really reverse applique with anything! Choose a cute fabric scrap from your stash, for example. With jeans, the only caveat I'd give is to choose something that's not too flimsy, because you want your repair to stand up to wear and tear.

All you need to repair your torn jeans are: