Needlecrafts Sewing Sewing Basics

How to Hand Sew a Seam That Has Ripped

A blue blouse, scissors, and a threaded needle

Stacy Fisher 

Learn how to hand sew a seam that has accidentally ripped with this easy step-by-step tutorial that even a beginner with no sewing experience can handle. There's no reason to toss your favorite shirt or dress, you can just fix the ripped seam quickly and easily. It's also a great way to mend the wear and tear on kids' clothes. You could fix the seam with a sewing machine but you'll find that this hand-stitching technique is easier and quicker.

This tutorial shows you how to fix a ripped or torn seam with hand sewing but there are a few no-sew options that can temporarily fix the seam. Fusible tape, fusible web, fusible adhesive, and fabric glue can all be used to temporarily hold the seam together until you have time to fix it with this tutorial. Keep in mind that these no-swe options are only temporary, you won't be able to wash the piece of clothing without permanently fixing it. Just follow the manufacturer's instructions on the products to find out how.

  • 01 of 09

    Gather Your Supplies

    A blouse, pins, seam ripper, scissors, and thread

    Stacy Fisher

    You'll need a few supplies to hand sew a seam that has ripped. Here's what you'll need to get together:

    • Ripped garment
    • Seam Ripper
    • Scissors
    • Pins
    • Needle
    • Matching thread
    • Iron
  • 02 of 09

    Take a Look at the Ripped Seam

    A ripped seam on a blouse

    Stacy Fisher

    Before you can repair that ripped seam, you need to check and see just what's going on with it. Turn your garment inside out and inspect the ripped seam. Note where the ripped seam begins and ends. This will be where you need to resew the seam to repair it. Keep in mind that you can only use this technique to fix a tear that falls on a seam.

  • 03 of 09

    Remove Any Loose Stitches

    A seam ripper and a blue blouse

    Stacy Fisher

    Take a look at the stitches at the beginning and the end of the ripped seam. If you see any loose stitches use your seam ripper to remove them. This will make sure that when you sew the seam back together, everything is neat and tidy and you don't have any loose threads.

    To remove these stitches, gently guide the sharp end of your seam ripper under a stitch and pull upward. Ideally, you'll be able to remove the thread from the garment without ripping it. Remember to go slowly and be gentle, you don't want to further rip the seam.

  • 04 of 09

    Tie Off Any Loose Threads

    Loose threads on a blue blouse

    Stacy Fisher 

    You don't want the seam to rip anymore so you'll want to tie any loose threads you have. If you don't have any loose threads go to the next step.

    Look at the beginning of the ripped seam and find any hanging threads. Take any threads that are near each other and tie them together in a knot to secure them. This makes sure that the tear won't get larger while you're trying to fix it. Use your scissors to cut right above the knot to get rid of any extra thread.

    Repeat on the other side of the ripped seam.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below
  • 05 of 09

    Pin the Ripped Seam

    Pins in a blue blouse

    Stacy Fisher 

    Using sewing pins, pin the two pieces of fabric together where the seam has ripped. Work your way from the center and move towards the edges, matching up each side of the seam as you go. This will help keep everything together when you begin hand-sewing the ripped seam. You may also find at this point that a nice press with the iron will get the fabric to lay straight.

  • 06 of 09

    Thread Your Needle

    A needle threaded with red thread

    Stacy Fisher 

    Take your needle and matching thread (I've used contrasting thread here so you can see it) and thread your needle. Knot the end of the thread and snip the extra thread under it off with your scissors.

  • 07 of 09

    Start Closing Up the Seam

    A blouse being sewn with red thread

    Stacy Fisher 

    Insert your needle into the fabric about 1/2" before the beginning of the ripped seam. Use a straight stitch or backstitch to begin sewing another seam.

    At first, you'll be sewing over some existing stitches. This will help further secure the new seam as well as the old seam that's on either side.

    Take small stitches going in and out of both layers of fabric all along the ripped seam, following along where the stitches used to be. Be sure not to make too long stitches or you may be able to still see a hole at the seam when you go to wear it.

  • 08 of 09

    Finishing Mending the Ripped Seam

    A blouse stitched up with red thread

     Stacy Fisher

    Continue along the entire length of the ripped seam until you've reached the end. Then continue making stitches about 1/2" into the existing seam to secure it. After you've taken your final stitch, knot the thread and then snip off the extra thread.

    Continue to 9 of 9 below
  • 09 of 09

    Check Your Seam

    A finished seam on a blouse and blue thread

    Stacy Fisher

    Turn your garment inside out and take a look at where the ripped seam is. If you see any spots where you've missed sewing or a place where it doesn't look secure, turn the garment inside out again and make some additional backstitches until you're happy with the result.

    Give your garment a nice press with the iron focusing on where the ripped seam was.