How To Get One End Of A Stuck Drawstring Pulled Back Out Of A Hoodie?

I pulled the drawstring on my hoodie half way out. One end of the string is there and the other end of the drawstring is stuck somewhere in the middle. How do I feed the drawstring back out of the hole? Can I do it without removing the complete string? If I pull it out all the way, I do not think I can ever get it back in again. I tried the paper clip and safety pin trick but it did not work. Is there an easy way to do this fast?

How To Get One End Of A Stuck Drawstring Pulled Back Out Of A Hoodie

Use a Coat Hanger: (use this method if you need to get the complete drawstring back into a hoodie)

  1. Put a small hook on the end of a metal coat hanger with pliers.
  2. Slide it into the hoodie drawstring channel.
  3. Slide it until it is about an inch past the end of the drawstring.
  4. Rotate the coat hanger a full circle to try and “grab” the drawstring.
  5. Carefully slide the coat hanger out and the end of the drawstring should be attached.
  6. (Once both ends of the drawstring are out, tie a small tight knot on each end so this does not happen again)

Use Needle Nose Pliers:

  1. Bunch up the hoodie drawstring channel.
  2. Bunch it up until you are as close to the end of the drawstring as possible.
  3. Slide the end of your needle nose pliers into the channel.
  4. Grab the end of the drawstring with the pliers and pull out.
  5. (Once both ends of the drawstring are out, tie a small tight knot on each end so this does not happen again)

Use a Knitting Needle:

  1. Put it in the hole that the drawstring is stuck in and follow up to the end of the string.
  2. Be sure to bunch up the fabric as you go.
  3. You will have to spear the end of the drawstring and then carefully pull it out.
  4. (Once both ends of the drawstring are out, tie a small tight knot on each end so this does not happen again)

Drawstring ReplacementDrawstring Replacement

Use a Safety Pin:

  1. Slide a safety pin through the end of the channel where the drawstring in stuck.
  2. Feel through the material and grip the pin flat.
  3. Hold the pin on the string end.
  4. Slide the string channel material over the pin and grab the outboard end of the pin.
  5. Draw the hoodie material backwards over the string.
  6. Keep doing this until you have the string out the other end.
  7. (Once both ends of the drawstring are out, tie a small tight knot on each end so this does not happen again)

Use a Paper Clip:

  1. Put a small hook on the end of a paper clip using needle nose pliers.
  2. Slide it into the hoodie drawstring channel while “bunching up the material”.
  3. Slide the paper clip until it is about an inch past the end of the drawstring.
  4. Rotate the paper clip a few times to try and “grab” the drawstring.
  5. Carefully slide the paper clip out and the end of the drawstring should be attached.
  6. (Once both ends of the drawstring are out, tie a small tight knot on each end so this does not happen again)

Use a Drinking Straw:

  1. Slide the straw into the channel.
  2. Work the straw into the hoodie channel until you reach the end of the drawstring.
  3. Slide the straw onto the end of the drawstring.
  4. With the string stuck in the straw, slide the straw out and the drawstring should come with it.
  5. (Once both ends of the drawstring are out, tie a small tight knot on each end so this does not happen again)

Easy Threader Flexible Needle Drawstring replacement toolUse the Easy Threader Flexible Needle Drawstring replacement tool

NOTE: These methods work for ANYTHING that has a drawstring including men’s swim shorts and sweatpants.
These methods will also work for getting a completely removed drawstring back into a hoodie, sweatpants, or swim shorts.


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1 thought on “How To Get One End Of A Stuck Drawstring Pulled Back Out Of A Hoodie?”

  1. Great tips, thank you. Managed to fix my dress. The dress I had was lacy on one side of the drawstring channel and when I used the safety pin it kept getting hooked on the lace. The only addition I found helpful, was to wrap sticky tape around the safety pin, so that it doesn’t come undone, or have the sharp edges of the pin get caught up in the lacy fabric which meant it passed through the channel more smoothly/quickly.
    Thanks for your great advice.

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