You don’t need anything fancy to fix a snag in clothing…just a needle and thread! Learn how to fix a snag in no time. I’ve used this simple trick on sweaters, dresses and even my son’s dress pants!
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Anyone else a magnet for clothing snags? I try to be careful and watch for rough edges on counters and tables, but somehow I still frequently end up with snags on my dresses and sweater. Years ago, I made the big mistake of just cutting a snag off. Be warned- don’t do it! You’ll only be left with a hole instead of a snag!
Thankfully, since then I’ve figured out a super easy way to fix snags in clothing using just a needle and some thread. This little trick has saved many pieces of my clothing over the years, and hopefully it will do the same for you!
How to Fix a Snag in Clothing Easily
1. Take a threaded needle and pull it through the middle of the snag.
2. Knot one end of the thread to the snag itself. (I often double knot just to keep it nice and secure.)
3. Find the base of the snag and pull needle through there.
4. Flip clothing inside out and locate snag and thread. The tail of the thread might be caught in the hole as shown in the picture. Just gently pull it free.
5. Snip thread, leaving small tails. Do NOT snip the snag since that would only cause a hole in your clothing! (This picture is of the backside of the clothing, after the thread was pulled through. The snag is still there obviously, but just on the underside of the fabric and not visible.)
6. Tada! Your snag is gone! At most, you might have a very slight indention as shown in this photo, but for myself it has always been so minimal that it is pretty much not noticeable unless you look very closely.
And that’s how you easily fix snags in clothing! 🙂
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Ruth says
February 14, 2015 at 9:07 AMHi there. I stumbled across your blog a while back and enjoy reading your posts. You have lots of great tips and money saving ideas! I too deal with snags even though I try to stay away from things that create them! I used to use a needle to “pull them under” until a friend introduced me to a lovely snag nab-it tool. It’s a long pin that is rough on the one end. You simply stick the nice end through right where your snag is and just pull it through. As the rough end comes through it catches the snag a brings it along and viola! You’re done! No more threading needles. You can get them at Joann Fabrics.
Katrina says
February 14, 2015 at 1:30 PMThank you Ruth for this tip as well I always snag my clothes also this tool will surly come in handy.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
February 16, 2015 at 9:14 AMThanks for your kind words, Ruth! So happy that you stumbled. 🙂 Glad to know I’m not the only one who somehow attracts snags. And I’ve heard of those little tools but have been too cheap to buy one. I know, that’s probably a little silly, but it’s true! 🙂 I also wasn’t sure that they’d actually work, so it’s nice to know that they do. Maybe one of these days I’ll “splurge” and get one. Ha!
Katrina says
February 14, 2015 at 1:29 PMHi hope you are well, I enjoy reading your posts and you have some great tips. I too always snag my clothes it never fails, so thank you so much for this wonderful tip I will be sure to use it.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
February 16, 2015 at 9:16 AMKatrina, it’s always fun to hear from readers that they are enjoying my posts, so thank you! And hope the tip works as well for you as it has for me.
Julie@FrugallyBlonde says
February 20, 2015 at 2:07 PMI find snags so often in our clothes. With two dogs we get a lot of them. I usually try to pull them back through, but it doesn’t always work. I can’t wait to try this, thanks for the tip.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
February 21, 2015 at 10:32 AMOh, I can believe that dogs would create a lot of snags! So glad you’ll now be able to fix them with this tip. 🙂
Cynthia says
February 23, 2015 at 2:59 PMThat is a great hint, will have to try it. Ruth is right, there is a needle with a rough end. I have one, but the rough part wore out. I will definitely try Joann Fabrics. I wouldn’t have snags if it weren’t for my cats jumping up on my legs every time I sit down. Try and keep a pair of pants looking new…..groan!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
February 23, 2015 at 3:21 PMAh, the joy of pets, right? 🙂 Hope it helps you, Cynthia!
Debbie says
April 25, 2015 at 10:10 AMSo simple! I use a hair grip to pull through snags on jumpers, but they are far too big for pulling through snags on most other fabrics. This is one handy tip I have no doubt I will be using at some point. Thank you for sharing.
#SHINEbloghop
ThriftyFrugalMom says
April 25, 2015 at 6:18 PMYay! Love knowing when something I share is helpful. 🙂
Tiffany | A Touch of Grace says
April 25, 2015 at 10:42 PMOh my gosh how did I not know this! So easy to do! I could have saved myself a lot of time and money if I’d known this sooner. Thanks for sharing on the Shine Blog Hop!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
April 27, 2015 at 8:27 AMWell, you know how they say that necessity is the mother of invention, right? That’s pretty much what happened here. I was so tired of tossing clothing because of little snags and got determined to figure something out. 🙂 Glad it can help you, Tiffany!
Bonnie says
April 30, 2015 at 2:15 PMThis is a great tip to save our clothes from snags. I’ve always done this with sweaters but didn’t think to do it with other clothes as well.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
April 30, 2015 at 9:13 PMGlad it was helpful for you, Bonnie!
Iris says
August 27, 2015 at 9:55 AMThank you so much for this tip! I purchased a top and after wearing it once, found a small snag on the sleeve. I don’t know if it was from wear (I work around books with sharp corners) or if I’d somehow missed it in the shop. I’ll be trying this tip out soon!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
August 27, 2015 at 12:44 PMSo glad to be of help! And I’m pretty sure your new top will be saved and good to wear again if you do this. Yay!
Lucinda Nutting says
September 2, 2015 at 1:00 PMI love this post!! I snag my clothes all the time (always when they’re brand new). My closet and wallet thank you 🙂
ThriftyFrugalMom says
September 2, 2015 at 3:58 PMYay! Of course it happens when they’re brand new, right? 😉
cm ca says
September 4, 2015 at 8:02 AMI wore a new shirt once and when I got it again, I noticed a snag! I knew not to cut it. I tried a couple of things, including trying to push it back through with a needle. It wouldn’t work, but I knew there had to be a solution. Your website and clear, easy steps saved the day! Thanks!!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
September 4, 2015 at 9:06 AMThis is the kind of comment that totally makes me feel like all my time spent blogging is worth it! I love hearing success stories like this. Yay for like new shirts!
Ps. And so glad you knew not to cut it. You’d be surprised how many people don’t know that. Actually, I remember as a teen learning the hard way that it doesn’t work.
Celine says
October 3, 2015 at 9:36 AMOmg I accidentally cut a snagged thread juz now….what can I do now what should I do argh……when will it become a hole ? I couldn’t find the part whr I cut though. Or is it as long as I dun wash it it won’t be broken
Celine says
October 3, 2015 at 10:17 AMIts a thin knitted cardigan and it’s still ok now I dun know what will happen to it in the future
ThriftyFrugalMom says
October 4, 2015 at 6:44 PMOh no! My guess is that it will slowly become a hole. The fact that it is thin knitted might help. I’m sorry….I wish I could offer more hope!
JacquelineJules says
August 24, 2016 at 12:30 PMThank you. This was so helpful. And the pictures really helped explain the process. You did a kindness for me today.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
August 25, 2016 at 3:17 PMSo glad to hear it, Jacqueline!
Gretchen says
February 18, 2017 at 6:34 PMGreat tip! Took me less than two minutes. It worked flawlessly ??
ThriftyFrugalMom says
February 21, 2017 at 10:56 AMYay! So glad to hear it. 🙂
Laura says
April 23, 2017 at 12:21 AMThank you so much for this! I snagged my new jeans on the first wear and this just fixed them 🙂
ThriftyFrugalMom says
April 23, 2017 at 9:48 PMYay! So glad to hear it, Laura. I love that snags no longer have to make me want to cry. 😉
Alex says
August 3, 2017 at 8:58 PMThis post has helped me multiple times! I got a nice pair of designer jeans from the thrift shop earlier this year and I’ve been wearing them almost every day since. But I got a couple of kittens last week and wound up with so many snags in those awesome jeans! I just spent a half hour fixing all of the snags and the jeans look as good as new. I’m so excited! Thank you!!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
August 3, 2017 at 11:18 PMYay for like new jeans! Don’t you wish all of life’s problems were this easy to fix? 🙂 And congratulations on the kittens. So fun!
Kim says
August 10, 2017 at 2:59 PMAWESOME~ Wouldn’t have believed it unless I tried it. No more snags. I started 30 Minute Hit, and the Velcro on the boxing gloves caught on my favourite workout shirt. I followed your step-by-step, and voila! Yeehaw! Thanks sooooo much for the great tip. I’m jazzed. ~ Kim in Canada
ThriftyFrugalMom says
August 15, 2017 at 12:14 PMYay for saving a favorite shirt! So glad it helped. 🙂
Paul says
September 19, 2017 at 10:31 PMGreat trick! Thank you. I was worried my dress shirt was ruined but this trick worked perfectly.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
September 19, 2017 at 10:56 PMHappy to hear it!
David says
October 6, 2017 at 5:09 AMHi from Sweden! Thanks so much for this tip. Snagged my brand new jeans, but this fixed them perfectly! Thanks!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
October 7, 2017 at 9:07 AMHappy to hear it!
Lauren Elizabeth says
November 24, 2017 at 5:21 AMLove love love
ThriftyFrugalMom says
November 24, 2017 at 11:11 PM🙂
James Owen says
February 28, 2018 at 8:02 AMIt’s a very nice tutorial. This problem continues with my clothes and i search solution on google. I got the your blog and i found this much useful information on this blog. Thanks for sharing this so interesting post! I really want to be thankful for the way you have put it here.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
October 16, 2018 at 11:38 PMGlad it was helpful, James!
Rachel Johnson says
April 1, 2018 at 6:13 PMGreat idea! I just snagged my new Easter sweater today. Can’t wait to try this. Thank you for sharing! Rachel @sisterswithasystem.com
ThriftyFrugalMom says
April 1, 2018 at 10:59 PMSo glad that it could help, Rachel!
Karen E Roberts says
October 19, 2018 at 5:23 PMThank you thank you thank you thank you. I just bought a sweater and snagged it on a staple the first time I wore it . Took it to an alterations place and knit shop, neither who would touch it. Then I found your site. Your instructions worked perfectly. You are a rock star!
ThriftyFrugalMom says
October 20, 2018 at 10:29 AMYay! So glad this free option fixed your problem! 🙂
Jojo says
February 14, 2019 at 11:47 PMAhhh!! Thank you!!!!
I just got a snag in a new thin knit sweater I got and was worried I ruined forever!!
It looks good as new now! 😀
ThriftyFrugalMom says
February 19, 2019 at 12:21 PMYay! So glad that it could help, Jojo!
Shannen says
April 16, 2019 at 8:18 PMCan this work on a mesh leggings? I pulled a thread where the mesh fabric joins together on my sports leggings.
ThriftyFrugalMom says
April 19, 2019 at 2:54 PMYes, it should! I have used this on lots of different fabrics and I can’t see why mesh would be a problem.