The fastest way to close a blanket hole
A small hole in a blanket can be closed with a needle and thread in about 15 minutes, or with a sewing machine in about 5 minutes. The method depends on the hole's size and location. Holes smaller than a quarter-inch can be stitched shut with a straightforward ladder stitch, which is nearly invisible. Larger holes need a patch sewn underneath first, then the edges stitched down. Holes along an edge require a different approach than holes in the middle of the fabric.
The key is matching your thread color to the blanket and using the right stitch for the job. A blanket made of fleece, cotton, or wool each behave slightly differently under a needle, but the basic process is the same for all three.
Key Takeaways
- Holes smaller than a quarter-inch can be closed with a ladder stitch and matching thread, leaving almost no visible scar.
- Holes larger than a quarter-inch need a fabric patch sewn to the underside first, then the hole edges stitched down over it.
- Thread color matters: buy a thread that matches the blanket color, not the hole, because the thread will show on the surface.
- A sewing machine closes holes in one-third the time but requires a steady hand and a blanket that fits under the presser foot.
- Holes along the edge of a blanket need binding tape or a whip stitch, not a patch, because there is no underside to attach to.
Gather your materials and thread the needle
You will need a needle, thread, scissors, and the blanket. If the hole is larger than a quarter-inch, also gather a patch of matching fabric—a scrap of the same blanket material, or cotton fabric in a matching color. A needle threader makes threading easier and faster, especially if your eyesight is not sharp.
Cut a length of thread about 18 inches long. Thread it through the needle and tie a knot at one end. If you are using a needle threader, insert the thin wire loop through the needle eye, pass your thread through the loop, then pull the threader back out—the thread will follow through the needle. Tie the knot close to the end of the thread so it does not slip through the fabric.
Close a small hole with a ladder stitch
A ladder stitch works on holes up to about a quarter-inch wide. It is called a ladder stitch because the thread runs up one side of the hole and down the other, like the rungs of a ladder, and the stitches stay hidden inside the fold of the fabric.
Start by pushing the needle through the blanket about a quarter-inch away from the hole, on one side. Bring it out right at the edge of the hole. Now push the needle directly across the hole into the opposite edge, and bring it back out a quarter-inch past the hole on that side. Go back into the blanket a quarter-inch away, and come back out at the hole edge again. Repeat this back-and-forth motion, always entering and exiting at the edges of the hole. After every three or four stitches, gently pull the thread tight—the hole will close as the fabric folds inward. The stitches should be about one-eighth inch long.
Once the hole is closed, push the needle through the blanket one more time and tie off the thread on the underside. Trim the excess thread with scissors.
Patch and stitch a large hole
Holes larger than a quarter-inch need a patch because the ladder stitch alone will not hold the edges together. Cut a patch from matching fabric that is at least one inch larger than the hole on all sides—so a one-inch hole needs a three-inch patch. Round the corners of the patch with scissors so it does not fray at the edges.
Turn the blanket over so the hole is facing down. Place the patch underneath the hole and pin it in place with three or four pins. Thread your needle and tie a knot. Push the needle up through the patch and blanket from underneath, right at the edge of the hole. Make small stitches all the way around the hole, going through the patch and the blanket edge. Keep your stitches about one-eighth inch apart and one-eighth inch from the hole edge. Go around the hole twice if you can—the second loop of stitches will reinforce the first.
Once the patch is sewn down, flip the blanket over and close the hole from the top side using the ladder stitch method described above. This double stitching—patch underneath and ladder stitch on top—will hold even a large hole for years.
Repair a hole along the blanket edge
Holes along the edge of a blanket cannot be patched underneath because there is no underside. Instead, use a whip stitch to close the edges together. A whip stitch wraps the thread around the edge of the fabric rather than going through it.
Push the needle through the blanket about a quarter-inch away from the hole, on one side of the edge. Bring it out right at the hole edge. Now wrap the thread around the edge of the blanket and push the needle back through the blanket on the opposite side of the hole, about a quarter-inch away. Bring the needle back out at the hole edge. Repeat this wrapping motion all the way across the hole. Pull gently on the thread every few stitches to draw the edges together. Once the hole is closed, tie off the thread on the underside.
If the hole is very large or the edge is frayed, you may want to use binding tape instead. Binding tape is a narrow strip of fabric with a fold down the middle. Unfold it, center it over the hole, and stitch it down on both sides of the fold. This covers the hole and reinforces the edge at the same time.
Sewing a hole closed with a machine
A sewing machine closes a hole in about one-third the time it takes by hand, but it requires a blanket that fits under the presser foot and a steady hand to guide it. Set your machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of about 2 millimeters—short enough to hold but not so short that the thread bunches.
For small holes, fold the blanket so the hole edges meet and stitch along the fold. For larger holes, pin a patch underneath first, then stitch around the hole edges with the patch facing down. Sew slowly and keep your hands steady—let the machine do the work rather than pulling the fabric. Once you reach the starting point, backstitch a few stitches to lock the thread, then trim the excess thread and remove the blanket from the machine.
Machine stitching is stronger than hand stitching but more visible, so it works best on blankets where a small seam will not stand out. Test your machine on a scrap of the same fabric first if you have never sewn a blanket before.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is using thread that does not match the blanket. Even if the thread looks close in the store, it will stand out under natural light. Buy thread in the same aisle as the blanket fabric and hold it up to the blanket in daylight before you check out. If you cannot find an exact match, choose a thread one shade darker rather than lighter—dark thread is less noticeable than light thread on most fabrics.
The second mistake is pulling the thread too tight while stitching. Tight thread can pucker the fabric and make the repair obvious. Pull just hard enough to close the hole—the fabric should lie flat, not bunched. If you pull too hard, the thread may break when you wash the blanket later.
The third mistake is starting a stitch too close to the hole edge. Always start your needle at least a quarter-inch away from the hole so the stitches have fabric to grip. Stitching right at the edge can tear through the fabric and make the hole bigger.
Washing and caring for a repaired blanket
Wait at least 24 hours after sewing before washing the blanket so the thread has time to set. Wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle and dry it on low heat or air dry. Hot water and high heat can weaken the thread and cause the repair to come loose.
If the repair starts to come loose after washing, you can re-stitch it without removing the old thread. straightforward stitch alongside the original stitches, following the same path. Do not try to remove the old thread—it is easier to stitch over it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of thread should I use?
Use all-purpose polyester or cotton thread that matches your blanket color. Polyester is stronger and more durable for blankets that get washed often. Cotton thread is easier to work with by hand but may break more easily in the wash. Buy thread from the fabric store in the same aisle as blanket material so you can hold it up to the blanket in daylight.
Can I sew a hole in a fleece blanket?
Yes, fleece is one of the easiest fabrics to sew by hand because it does not fray. Use a ladder stitch for small holes and a patch for large ones, just as you would with cotton or wool. Fleece thread can be hard to see, so use a slightly darker shade. Fleece blankets can be washed in warm water after repair, but avoid the dryer—air dry instead.
What if the hole is torn in a jagged line instead of a round hole?
A tear is harder to close than a round hole because the edges do not line up neatly. Trim any loose threads with scissors, then use a patch sewn underneath and a ladder stitch on top. If the tear is very long, you may need to stitch it in sections rather than all at once—close the first inch, tie off, then start again a quarter-inch away and close the next inch.
How long will a hand-sewn repair last?
A well-sewn repair with matching thread can last for years if the blanket is washed gently and dried on low heat. The repair is only as strong as the thread, so use good-quality thread and make sure your stitches are tight but not so tight that they pucker the fabric. If the repair comes loose, you can re-stitch it without starting over.
Do I need to use a patch if the hole is on the underside of the blanket?
No. If the hole is on the underside and will not be seen, you can close it with a ladder stitch alone, even if it is larger than a quarter-inch. The repair will be less visible and the blanket will feel smoother. Just make sure your stitches are tight enough to hold through washing.