Introduction: Restore Your Favorite Pair of Pants -- Very Easily!!

By
About: exmil hobbyist.
Do you have a favorite pair of pants that are holier than the pope (or maybe just a few holes), and you refuse to trash it?

if you answered "yes", read on...

Depending on your accessibility on some items, this project can cost you from nothing to about $7.

Materials and Tools:

- 12" Ruler
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Felt-tip pen
- Scrap Fabric (i used Camouflage from old uniforms)

Adhesive type depends on what you have or can get your hands on:

- Hot glue (this is what i used)

or

- Washable Fabric Glue ($5.99)
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat2864&PRODID=prd29775

or

- Iron-on Hem Webbing (this will require an iron ($3.99))
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat2848&PRODID=prd2987

Step 1: Patches? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Patches!!

in this step, your basically getting measurements of the shapes of fabric you'll need for the coverage area.

if you don't have cargo pockets, it'll be a lot easier, but if you do, follow these simple directions:
1. take mesaurements of the side of the cargo pocket where the patch will be going
2. draw an imaginary perimeter around the slant pocket area
3. take measurements for the hem reinforcements

take a look at the diagram i provided thru MS Paint.

Step 2: SEND IN THE REINFORCEMENTS!!!!



-- if you decided to use Hot Glue as your choice of adhesive, remember to adhere one side first.  don't apply the hot glue on all edges at one time, do it one side at a time.  you can use the narrow edge of your 12" ruler to flatten out the glued areas, the flatter, the better.

***Caveat*** if you did decide to use Hot Glue, you cannot dry these pants along with your other cotton fabric clothing (high heat), you either have to hang dry, or dry with your delicates (low heat)

-- if you decided to use Fabric Glue, make sure you give the project some extra curing/drying time; beyond the time specified by the manufacturer's recommendations, as the fabric you use may be thicker than what the product was intended for.

***Caveat*** fabric glue typically is used for temporary fixes, and later on down the line, you may have to reapply on some areas, you should ensure a uniform bead when applying.  you can find some heavy duty fabric glue that is meant for permanent fixes, and is washable as well.

-- if you use Iron-On Hem Webbing, you will have to use an iron for the application which may deem cumbersome.  Hem Webbing is typically used for thin material fabrics or fabric that does not see too much action.  i did not use this application and can only speculate on the pros and cons.  i have used it in the past and can tell you that if the ironing was not done hot enough to bond the two substrates together, it can come apart.

***Caveat*** you may have to use the iron at the highest setting so as long as the 2 fabric materials allow.  you may* have to double the strips of Hem Webbing so that the heat will yield enough adhesive bonding material when the iron is applied.

i hope you will follow me in being inadvertently green and eco-friendly.

mostly, i hope you've enjoyed my instructable!

cheers...