Quest

It's not exactly the Holy Grail.

But it's starting to feel like it.

My favorite jeans have worn through in the seat.  No option for going commando. Not at my age.  Everyone can see what color underwear I choose to wear.  I thought I might have to throw them out, then thought:  "I'll cover it with an iron-on patch."

That was the beginning of the quest.

"I'll just stop at Target and pick up a few things"  I thought.  No such luck.  They have a lot of stuff there, but no patches.  At first the young woman thought I was talking about some kind of computer fix.  Then, "try JoAnn Fabrics," they said.  That's fine, but the nearest JoAnn's is halfway across town, and I am not that motivated.  Today I was driving past K-Mart.  Surely they'll have iron-on patches in that huge store.  Nope.

Finally, I went to Publix to pick up some onions to make onion soup for New Year's Day, a family tradition.  I looked in their notions area, and they had some patches.  I bought them.  They are about 2'X4".  Too small to cover the defect.  I'll have to cover it with a couple of different colored patches.

I asked my Mom and my friend Sandy if they had any, and the question was followed by a quizical silence, indicating that they hadn't thought about these things for years.  Maybe decades.  Neither had any.

So what do people use now?  I know torn is in for jeans, but the tear isn't always where you want it to be.  Do these jeans just go to the dump?  Do you use iron on patches?  Does anyone under 30 know what the hell they are?

[Image from Embroidery Library]

Comments

[Juanita La Salle]

If the hole is so big that a 2 by 4 inch patch won't cover it, it is time to buy a new pair of favorite jeans!

[LC]

DON'T throw away your faves! Get some fabric you like and cut a piece slightly larger than the area you need to cover; stitch the patch on. Use a fancy stitch or just any old whip stitch or basting stitch. Add some extra patches of the same material just for fun in other spots. Your jeans will be uniquely yours!

[gw]

you could always use a swatch cut from other less-favorite jeans or something you no longer care for. the benefit of cannabalizing other jeans is that the material will be of a less striking contrast, which might be a plus, depending on where the defect is.

[gw]

You could always use a swatch cut from other less-favorite jeans or something you no longer care for. The benefit of cannabalizing other jeans is that the material will be of a less striking contrast, which might be a plus, depending on where the defect is.