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This guide demonstrates how to do a hand sewn whip stitch to close a fabric tear on a pair of Patagonia® Quandary pants. The whip stitch is a versatile technique that binds torn edges together with looping stitches, making it ideal for sealing small rips and preventing further fraying.
Hand sewn repairs are a fun and effective way to extend the life of gear at home. DIY repairs won't void the Patagonia warranty—they're actually encouraged!
Patagonia items can also be taken in to a local retail store for repair evaluation or sent in to Patagonia through their mail-in repair service.
Let's get fixing!
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            When placed close together, whip stitches can also reinforce an opening to create a buttonhole or a decorative eyelet. 
 
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            Locate the damaged area and trim away any loose or hanging threads. 
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            In this tutorial, the whip stitch will be used to seal a short, straight tear with minimal fraying and fabric loss. 
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            If the damage is more extensive, a variation of this technique can be used to attach a patch over the damaged area. See Whip Stitch on a Patch or Blanket Stitch on a Patch. 
 
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            Cut a length of thread approximately 24 inches (~61 cm) long. 
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            Thread the needle and adjust the thread so there are equal lengths of thread on each side of the needle. 
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            Tie an overhand knot with both ends to create a doubled length of thread. 
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            See Needles and Thread for more details. 
 
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            Insert the needle up from the backside of the fabric, about 1/8 inch (~3 mm) diagonally away from the end of the tear. Pull tight so the knot is flush on the backside. 
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            Pierce down into the fabric 1/4 inch (~6 mm) away from the first stitch, on the opposite side of the tear, then bring the needle back up right next to the first stitch, about 1/8 inch (~3 mm) away. Pull through. 
 
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            Repeat the process from the previous step to continue stitching in a spiral pattern, passing the needle from one side of the tear to the other. 
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            Maintain consistent tension and spacing for a neat appearance. 
 
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            Continue whip stitching until you get to the opposite side of the tear. 
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            Make a final stitch beyond the end of the tear to secure the stitching, just as it was anchored at the beginning of the tear. 
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            Pass the needle through to the backside of the fabric. 
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            Make a secure knot on the backside of the fabric using one of the techniques from Knot Thread to the Fabric (2 Ways) and trim the extra thread. 
 
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            Check that the tear is effectively sealed and that the stitching has even spacing and appropriate tension. 
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            Trim any loose threads. 
 
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