How Do You Put a Drawstring Back in a Hoodie? 4 Easy Ways

To put a drawstring back in a hoodie, pin a safety pin through one end of the string, push the pin into one eyelet, and inch it through the hood channel by bunching the fabric over the pin and smoothing it back until the pin comes out the other eyelet. Then center the string and knot the ends so it stays put. It takes about as long as reading this paragraph twice, and you probably already own everything you need. Below are four easy methods, what to do when the string is stuck halfway, how to fix frayed ends, and simple habits that keep the drawstring where it belongs.

Why hoodie drawstrings come out in the first place

A hoodie drawstring is just a cord sitting loose inside a fabric tunnel that runs around the edge of the hood. Nothing holds it in place except friction and the knots or tips on each end. That means a few common habits can pull it out without you noticing:

• Pulling the hood off by one string instead of by the hood itself.
• Tugging the string to one side to tighten the hood, then forgetting to re-center it.
• Washing and drying the hoodie with the strings loose, where the drum and other clothes tug on them.
• Kids, pets and car doors grabbing one end.
• A tip (the plastic or metal end, called an aglet) breaking off, so the end frays thin enough to slip through the eyelet.

Once you know why it happens, both the fix and the prevention make sense.

What you need

Pick one threading tool from what you have at home:

• A large safety pin. The classic method and the best for most hoodies.
• A drinking straw. Great for wide, flat channels and thick strings.
• A bobby pin or straightened paper clip. Handy for thin cords and narrow channels.
• A chopstick, pencil or zip tie. Good backups when nothing else is around.

You may also want clear tape, scissors and a clothespin or binder clip to hold the loose end so you do not pull the whole string through by mistake.

Method 1: The safety pin method, step by step

1. Find both eyelets. These are the two small holes at the front of the hood where the string comes out. Check which side is the start of the channel.
2. Pin the string. Push a large safety pin through the end of the drawstring, about a half inch from the tip, and close it. If the end is frayed, tape it first so it does not split.
3. Clip the other end. Clip the tail end of the string to the hoodie near the starting eyelet with a clothespin or binder clip so it cannot follow the pin inside.
4. Start the pin. Push the closed pin into the first eyelet, head first.
5. Inch it along. Pinch the pin through the fabric, bunch the channel fabric up over it, then hold the pin in place and smooth the fabric back behind it. Repeat. Think of it like a caterpillar moving forward.
6. Watch the seams. At the top of the hood there may be a seam inside the channel. Work the pin slowly over it so it does not catch or poke through.
7. Pull it out. When the pin reaches the second eyelet, push it out, unpin it, and remove the clip from the other end.
8. Center and knot. Even out both sides so they hang at the same length and tie a loose overhand knot at each end.

Method 2: The straw method

The straw method is quick when the channel is wide and the string is thick or flat. Slide one end of the drawstring into a plastic straw. Tape the straw to the string or put a staple through both so the string does not slide out. If the straw is longer than the hood opening, cut it shorter so it can bend around the curve. Push the straw into one eyelet and feed it through the channel, working the fabric over it the same way. A firm straw usually glides around the hood in one or two pushes.

Method 3: Bobby pin or paper clip

For narrow channels and round, thin cords, a bobby pin works like a small needle. Slip the string end into the bobby pin, squeeze the pin closed, and wrap a little tape around both. A paper clip bent mostly straight with a small hook at one end works the same way. These are less bulky than a safety pin, but they can slip off the string, so check the connection before you start and work slowly.

Method 4: Chopstick, pencil or zip tie

Tape the drawstring end to a chopstick or pencil and push it through. This only works on the straighter parts of the hood, so you may need to work it through in stages. A long zip tie is flexible enough to bend around the hood, which makes it a surprisingly good option: tape the string tightly to the narrow end and feed it in.

What to do if the string gets stuck halfway

If your pin stops moving, do not yank it. Common causes and fixes:

• Caught on a seam. Back the pin up slightly and come at the seam from a flatter angle.
• Pin opened inside the channel. Feel for the point through the fabric, close the pin through the fabric with your fingers, and keep going.
• Channel is twisted. Smooth the hood flat on a table so the tunnel runs straight.
• String came off the pin. Work the pin out the closest eyelet, reattach the string, and start again from that side.

How to fix a frayed drawstring end

A frayed end is harder to thread and more likely to slip out again. Trim the frayed part with sharp scissors. Then seal the new end in one of these ways:

If the whole string is worn out, replacement drawstrings are sold at fabric and craft stores, or a flat shoelace in a matching color makes a clean substitute.

How to keep the drawstring from coming out again

• Tie a knot at each end. A simple overhand knot is usually too big to slip through the eyelet.
• Wash it zipped and tied. Zip up or tie the strings together loosely before the wash, and turn the hoodie inside out to protect the print.
• Re-center after each wear. Even out the sides when you take the hoodie off.
• Pull the hood, not the string. Take the hood off with your hand at the back of the hood.
• Skip strings for little kids. For young children, many parents remove hood drawstrings entirely for safety. Ask about youth hoodies without drawstrings when you order.

Caring for a printed hoodie while you are at it

If your hoodie has a custom print, a little care keeps it looking sharp. Wash it inside out on cold, skip bleach and fabric softener on the print, and air-dry or tumble dry on low. Do not iron directly over the design. For more, see how to wash and dry a DTF shirt and whether a hoodie will shrink in the dryer.

Ordering custom hoodies in San Antonio

LuxPort Print Co prints custom hoodies and sweatshirts for teams, schools, work crews, churches and families, along with custom shirt printing in San Antonio and team and event apparel in San Antonio. We print with DTF, which handles full-color art and fine detail on fleece. If you are planning a group order, these guides can help: can DTF print on hoodies, where a logo should go on a hoodie, how a hoodie should fit and whether DTF transfers work on sweatshirts. Browse the LuxPort apparel collection, ask us to have LuxPort design it, or send your count, sizes and colors on the quote request page. You can also call (844) 589-7678.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to put a drawstring back in a hoodie?

A safety pin is the easiest tool for most people. Pin it through the end of the drawstring, close it, push it into one eyelet of the hood channel, and inch it through by bunching the fabric over the pin and sliding the fabric back behind it until the pin comes out the other eyelet.

How do I rethread a hoodie string without a safety pin?

A drinking straw works well: slide the string end into a straw, tape or staple it in place, and feed the straw through the channel. A bobby pin, a paper clip bent straight, a chopstick, or a zip tie taped to the string can also work, depending on how wide the channel is.

Why does my hoodie drawstring keep coming out?

Drawstrings usually slip out when the string is pulled unevenly to one side, when the hood is tugged off by one string, or in the washer and dryer. Tying a loose knot at each end, washing the hoodie zipped or with the strings tied together, and centering the string after each wash all help.

How do I fix a frayed hoodie drawstring end?

Trim the frayed part with sharp scissors and wrap the new end tightly with clear tape, or dip it in clear nail polish or fabric glue and let it dry. Wrapping the end also makes the string easier to thread back through the channel.

Can I replace a hoodie drawstring with a new one?

Yes. Replacement drawstrings are sold at craft and fabric stores, or you can use a matching cord or flat shoelace. Measure the old string or the hood opening, add extra length for the ends, and thread it the same way you would rethread the original.

Will rethreading the drawstring damage the print on my hoodie?

No. The drawstring channel is in the hood, away from most chest and back prints. Just keep sharp pin points off the printed area, and do not iron over a print while you are straightening the hood.

Can LuxPort print custom hoodies for a team, business or family?

Yes. LuxPort Print Co prints custom hoodies and sweatshirts for San Antonio teams, crews, schools and families and ships across the U.S. Send your count, sizes, colors and design ideas through the quote request page or call (844) 589-7678.

LuxPort Print Co, 10730 Potranco Rd Suite 122-507, San Antonio, TX 78251.