this post was submitted on 07 Sep 2026
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I replaced the drawstring on my gym shorts (piefed-media.feddit.online)
submitted 3 days ago by tuckerm@feddit.online to c/Dullsters@dullsters.net
24 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

The original cotton string was starting to wear down. It broke once already, but it was just the very end that snapped off, so I could just tie a new knot and call that the new end. But now it was starting to do it again. I bought some paracord from the hardware store and replaced it with that.

Right after I pulled the original string out of the waistband, I remembered that someone once told me that you can tie the new string to the old string, and then pull the old string out and thereby pull the new string into the hole, instead of trying to push the new string through the hole. That would have been a good thing to have remembered about 30 seconds earlier.

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[–] litchralee@sh.itjust.works 26 points 3 days ago (2 children)

In case this is useful:

If you have a chopstick, you can tape the new string to the back and push the chopstick through the hole to guide the string. Other solid objects like a wire coat hook can work, but you have to make sure the tip won't snag.

[–] crank0271@lemmy.world 17 points 3 days ago (2 children)

In the West, we use forks

[–] adarza@lemmy.ca 11 points 3 days ago (2 children)

if you're holding your pants up with a fork, what's the string for?

[–] OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

Garotting assailants, I thought that would be obvious

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Getting the tampon out when it's full

[–] Edges@lemmy.zip 7 points 3 days ago

This is so funny lol. Why did people downvote this?

[–] 0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 3 days ago

I use a pen and its cover. Put one end of a string alongside the tip of the pen, then slide in the cover to make it snugly tight. The pen goes in head first.

Some pens also come with a slight narrow trim/gap opposite of the clip, where you can tie it and it won't release going in.

[–] Dallimjp@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 days ago

Just a heads up you tied your bow wrong. What you're looking for is a double slipped square knot. It's the same one everyone should use to tie their shoes and it will hold without being double knotted.

[–] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 16 points 3 days ago

Hate it when they sew the drawstring / elastic at the back so it's hard to replace (yeah, it doesn't come out in the wash, don't care). Bonus bastard points for that sewing being structural.

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 3 points 2 days ago

oh man its been awhile since I saw a post that was on my level.

[–] ramble81@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

How the hell do you fish out the draw string when it gets stuck inside the elastic? I had a pair that somehow did that and now I can’t get it back out.

[–] tuckerm@feddit.online 1 points 1 day ago

I have no idea. Is there still a knot in the string? I was able to gradually nudge it along by squeezing the the knot in my fingers. It was definitely slow progress that way, though.

[–] fubarx@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Opt for a stretchy, elastic string. Your future self, racing to make it to the bathroom will thank you.

[–] HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

And install a sphygmomenometer. You never know when you'll need one

[–] tuckerm@feddit.online 2 points 2 days ago

Huh, so that's what that's called.

[–] wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz 7 points 3 days ago

There's also something called a bodkin which has a loop to put the new string in and it's like a long needle with a rounded end that gives you some rigidity to push through

[–] Canadian_anarchist@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I recommend that you carefully melt the ends of your cord with a lighter so it doesn't fray and unfurl over time. You wouldn't want your hard work to undo itself!

[–] tuckerm@feddit.online 2 points 2 days ago

It doesn't show up very well in the photo, but I did do that. I could probably do it a little more, though.

[–] AnalogAllamma@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I tape the drawstring to the end of a wire hanger and pull / bend it through the holes.

[–] tuckerm@feddit.online 3 points 3 days ago

Oh, that's a good idea.

[–] DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago (2 children)

That's an awfully bright color.

[–] 404@lemmy.zip 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Looks like it's on the inside of the hem and it won't be visible when wearing the shorts.

[–] tuckerm@feddit.online 4 points 3 days ago

^ this is correct

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 days ago

Too bright for this channel?