Restring Hoodie Drawstrings: Straw Method

There are several ways to restring a hoodie, but using a straw is one of the quickest and easiest methods. This approach is much faster than the traditional safety pin technique, as a straw covers more ground and takes mere seconds rather than minutes. To restring your hoodie using a straw, start by inserting one end of the drawstring into the straw, pushing it in until it's about half an inch beyond the metal or plastic aglet. Then, staple the string inside the straw, ensuring you don't staple the aglet. Next, feed the straw through the eyelet and gently push it through the fabric tunnel, gathering and smoothing the fabric as you go. Once the straw reaches the opposite eyelet, remove the staple from the drawstring, and you're done! You may also want to tie a knot at each end of the drawstring to prevent the issue from occurring again.

Choosing the right straw

When restringing a hoodie, it is important to choose the right straw to ensure the process is efficient and effective. Here are some key considerations when selecting a straw:

Material: The most common type of straw is made from polypropylene plastic, which is durable, lightweight, and inexpensive. However, plastic straws are not environmentally friendly as they contribute to pollution and are often not recycled. Look for straws made from alternative materials such as paper, cardboard, bamboo, or metal. These options are more eco-friendly and biodegradable. Silicone straws are also a good option as they have a similar texture and feel to plastic but are biodegradable.

Size: Choose a straw that is long enough to fit through the hoodie's casing. The straw should be wider than a standard drinking straw to avoid snagging on the seam allowance and facilitate easier manoeuvring through the fabric. If using a plastic straw, cut it to the appropriate length, ensuring it is not too long to get tangled or too short to be ineffective.

Flexibility: Opt for a flexible straw, often called a "bendy straw" or "articulated straw". This type of straw has a hinge near its top, allowing for better manoeuvrability when feeding it through the hoodie's casing. A flexible straw will also reduce the risk of poking or ripping the fabric.

Colour: Avoid using black-dyed straws as they cannot be recycled due to the dyes used, which reduce the quality of the plastic. Opt for straws in lighter colours or those without any dyes to ensure they can be recycled properly.

Availability: Consider the availability and accessibility of the straws. Plastic straws are widely available, but if you are looking for eco-friendly alternatives, you may need to purchase them from specialty stores or online.

By choosing the right straw, you can make the process of restringing your hoodie easier and more sustainable.

Stapling the string to the straw

To restring a hoodie with a straw, you will need a straw, a stapler, and a pair of scissors. This method is much faster than using a safety pin, as you will be able to cover more ground in a shorter amount of time.

Firstly, insert one end of the drawstring into the straw, pushing it in until it is about half an inch beyond the aglet (the plastic or metal covering at the end of the drawstring). Then, staple through the soft cotton drawstring, ensuring you do not staple the aglet.

Now, feed the straw through the eyelet and gently push it through the fabric tunnel. Keep gathering and smoothing the fabric as you go along until the straw reaches the opposite eyelet. Once it is through, gently remove the staple from the drawstring. Finally, pull on the string until each eyelet has an equal amount of string coming out of it.

As an optional extra step, you can tie a knot at each end of the drawstring to prevent the issue from occurring again.

Feeding the straw through the eyelet

Begin by locating the eyelets on your hoodie. These are the circular openings where the drawstring usually comes out. Once you have identified the eyelets, insert the straw into one of them. Gently push the straw into the fabric, ensuring it goes all the way through. You may need to apply a bit of force, but be careful not to poke a hole in the fabric.

As you push the straw through, gather and smooth the fabric around the eyelet. This will help you guide the straw smoothly through the fabric tunnel. Continue pushing the straw through the tunnel until it reaches the opposite eyelet. Take your time with this step, as you don't want to rush and damage the fabric.

Once the straw has reached the other side, you are almost done! Now, gently pull the straw out of the fabric, being careful not to dislodge the drawstring. If you stapled the drawstring to the straw, carefully remove the staple at this point.

Finally, tie a knot at each end of the drawstring to secure it and prevent it from slipping back into the hoodie. You can also tie the ends together to ensure they stay in place.

And that's it! You have successfully fed the straw through the eyelet and restringed your hoodie.

Removing the staple

• Locate the staple: Once you have pushed the straw through the fabric tunnel and it has emerged on the other side, locate the staple by feeling for it with your fingers. The staple will be attached to the drawstring inside the straw.
• Protect the fabric: Before removing the staple, it is important to protect the fabric of your hoodie, especially if it is made of delicate material. Place a piece of cardboard or a thin piece of wood between the staple and the fabric to prevent accidental tears or holes when removing the staple.
• Remove the staple: Using a staple remover or a pair of pliers, gently pull the staple out of the drawstring. If you are using a staple remover, position it under the staple and squeeze the handle to remove it. If you are using pliers, gently grip the staple and pull it out. Be careful not to tug or twist the fabric while removing the staple.
• Check for damage: After removing the staple, carefully inspect the fabric of your hoodie for any signs of damage. Make sure there are no tears or holes caused by the staple or the removal process. If there is minor damage, it can be repaired with a needle and thread.
• Adjust the drawstring: Once the staple is removed, gently pull on the drawstring to ensure it is not tangled or caught on any part of the fabric. Adjust the length of the drawstring as needed so that both ends are even.
• Finish with a knot: To prevent the drawstring from slipping back into the casing, tie a large knot at each end. Make sure the knots are larger than the eyelets. You can also add an aglet (the plastic or metal cover) to the end of the drawstring for a more finished look and better grip.

By following these steps, you can safely remove the staple and secure your newly inserted drawstring, ensuring your hoodie is ready for comfortable wear.

Using a safety pin instead

If your hoodie drawstring has come out, don't panic! You can easily put it back using a safety pin. Here's how:

Firstly, pull out the drawstring if it's lost halfway through the casing. It's much easier to re-insert it than to try to feed it back through without a tool.

Now, take a large safety pin and secure it to one end of the drawstring. Make sure the pin is attached about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) from the end of the drawstring. If you're using a paperclip instead, thread the end of the drawstring through it so it's snug.

Next, locate the eyelets—the circular openings where your drawstring usually comes out. Push the safety pin into one of these eyelets and pull it through the fabric until it reaches the other eyelet.

Now for the slightly tricky part: hold the safety pin in place with one hand, and use your other hand to scrunch the fabric casing towards the pin so it bunches up. Then, swap hands and pull the bunched-up fabric away, keeping a hold of the safety pin so you don't lose it inside the casing. Keep repeating this action until the safety pin comes out of the other end of the fabric casing.

Finally, remove the safety pin and pull the drawstring until both ends are an equal length. To prevent the drawstring from sliding back into the casing, tie a large knot at each end, making sure the knots are larger than the eyelets.

Frequently asked questions