How to sew on a patch & other ways to attach patches on clothes

Blanket stitches are the most popular way to attach a patch on clothes. The whip stitches comes a close second. If you want to sew the patch with a sewing machine, use a tight zig zag stitch. Reverse applique involves attaching the patch from the back of a hole. Iron on patches do not even need any sewing – just some heat and pressure. There are 5 more ways, if you will care to read further.

There are many reasons why you might want to sew patches on your clothes. Sometimes you just have to – there is a hole in your clothing that is unrepairable – the patch is now your savior. Keep it on top, and the hole as good as disappears. But, the primary reason many youngsters consider sewing patches on their clothes is that it is ultra-cool. They deliberately sew patches over non-existent holes.

Be it the funky jean patches or the cutesy sequin patches on tops or badges proclaiming your loyalty to sports teams and such, patches are everywhere.

Check out the post “Clothing Repair – 9 ways to repair holes and tears on fabric” for some more ideas to mend holes on clothes.

You can use simple hand stitches like running stitches, whip stitches or satin stitches to sew the patches on top of the fabric or use a reverse applique stitch to keep the patch under the hole in the fabric and sew in place.

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I had always wondered how to sew a patch on jeans. But then my eldest daughter solved it for me. She took scissors onto her boring(!) jeans (but brand new) and made holes – her attempt to make distressed jeans. 

(By the way I have a post on as many as Getting the Distressed Jean Effect – head over there if you want to do it right).

The end of the story is – it didn’t end right – There was this unsightly hole in her perfect jeans. I had to patch it.

If you are looking specifically to repair a hole in jeans – check out this post – 8 ways to fix a hole in jeans.

 How to sew a patch on Clothes

1. Using simple whip stitches

This is the easiest method for sewing pacthes. Keep a patch (usually made of a fabric that doesnot fray or finished at the edges) on top of the fabric and then use whip stitches to attach the patch to the fabric.

You can convert the whip stitches to a more decorative overcast stitch by returning and making another stitching through the previously stitched holes as in the picture above.

2. Iron on patches 

These are Patches (embroidered and otherwise) that you can attach by applying heat on them. This is the easiest way to attach patches. These patches have a sticky back which is activated when heat is applied. Some have a backing sheet that has to be removed; some have a plasticky back.

How to attach the iron on patch

Step 1

Take the patch – you may want to cut your simple patch in interesting shapes or keep it as it is.

Keep the iron on patch where you want it to be (if it is a hole the patch should fully cover it with 1/4 inch all around). Set the iron temperature to that of cotton.

Step 2

Spray a little water on the back of the patch. Keep a piece of pressing cloth (any thin cotton cloth) on top of the iron on patch. This is so that the heat does not damage the patch.

Step 3

Use the hot iron to press evenly. Iron for about 20-30 seconds.

Ensure that the heat setting of your iron is for cotton cloth. Please do not use the iron-on patches on elastic fabrics, Names of different leather, waterproof rainwear, and nylon material, as these materials may be ruined with heat.

Sometimes the glue of the iron-on patch may be weak. You may have to reinforce with some stitching.

3 . Blanket stitch Appliqued Patch

The fabric patch is Hand or machine appliqued on the face of the garment using decorative stitches. Hand sewn blanket stitch is used in hand applique (with turned under edges)

3 . Zig zag stitched Patch

Use closely packed zig zag stitches are made around the edges of the patch with a sewing machine.

5. Attach with Running stitch

If you have a beautiful ready-made patch, this is the easiest way to attach the patch. First, you have to attach the patch with fabric glue or glue stick temporarily. Now sew along the border of the patch with a thread matching the patch.

6. Reverse Applique Patch

Reverse applique is done by keeping the patch on the back of the hole. The Stitching of patches is done around the edge of the hole. The hole should be cut in the shape of the design. 

Satin stitches (close zig zag stitches) are usually used in applique.

I have done a simple straight stitch along the edge of the cut design. I had to use two spools of thread together in the sewing machine to make the stitching line visible. You can use topstitching thread for a better look.

You can find 4 different ways to do reverse applique here. 

7. Hand sewn set in patch

Set-in patch is a patch (self-fabric or contrast fabric) placed under the hole on the wrong side of the garment. This is sewn from the underside.

How to sew a Set-in Patch

Step 1. Prepare the hole – trim away the raveled thread on the hole and try to make it square-shaped. Make a small slash 1/4 inch on all corners.

You have a 1/4-inch edge now for the hole sides. Turn under these edges and press in place.

Step 2 Cut out a square patch that measures a little over 1/4 inch ( almost 1/2 inch) bigger on all sides. Turn under 1/4 inch from all edges of the patch to the right side and press.

Step 3 Keep this patch under the hole right side up. Match prints or stripes; check the direction of the weave of fibers and align if possible. Pin in place or, better, baste in place.

From the wrong side hem the patch on the garment. Now turn to the right side and hem the hole edge to the patch with slip stitches.

8 Handmade Overhand Patch

This is a patch (self-fabric or contrast fabric) sewn from the right side of the garment, ie. the face of the garment. If you are patching a thick fabric, the overhand patch should be done with thinner fabric. Otherwise, it will project out.

How to sew an Overhand Patch

Cut the hole into a square shape ( the existing hole should be made to look like a square). Cut out a square piece of fabric that is slightly bigger (1/2 inch) than the hole. Press the edges 1/4 inch inside.

Keep it on top of the hole. Baste stitch along the edge.

Turn the garment  wrong side out. The edge of the hole and the fabric patch piece will be together. Make overcast stitch all over the edge.

9.  Flannel/ felt Patch ( hand sewn)

This patch is a piece of felt in a matching color or contrasting color. Cut a square-shaped fabric patch (large enough to cover the hole).
Place the patch on the top of the garment, matching the warp threads of both the garment and patch, then baste.

Catch stitch to the garment or use blanket stitches or buttonhole stitches.

Turn the garment to the wrong side and cut the worn portion away, then catch stitch to patch. Remove basting stitches.

You can keep the felt patch on the underside, also. The advantage in using felt is that the cut edges do not fray.

10. Darning  Patch (Machine sewn)

This is done by keeping a patch piece (self-fabric) under the hole and making very closely packed straight stitches (of very short length) up and down all over the hole and edges, catching the patch underneath and the edges of the holes – Just go wild.  

Use your reverse sewing switch as soon as you reach down, go up, come back – stitch all over the place.

Use an exact-match colored thread on top and bobbin. Do not choose a light-colored one at any cost (this will make stitches visible unless you want that effect); if you cannot get an exact match, choose a darker one.

10. Special fabric Patch 

You can make these yourself from interestingly textured fabric you have at home or machine embroidered on organza or similar sheer fabric and attach it directly on to the garment/bag.

After embroidering, cut out the extra from the patch.  

They can be applied directly onto the fabric by way of small hand stitches on the edges or with a sewing machine stitch.

Whip stitch (hand) is commonly used to attach the patches. Baste in place where you want the badge to be. Stitch as close as you can to the edge of the patch.  

Sequined patches are usually used on the elbows of sleeves. I have made a top with a sequined elbow patch, and it looks great. The sequined elbow patch is simply sequins stitched on to felt piece and then appliqued on the elbow with a simple whip stitch around the edges.

Checkout the 18 different kinds of beads you could use to sew this patch and the different methods to sew sequins.

Where to get patches to sew over holes

Patches are fabric pieces, after all. They can be store-brought, as in the case of those embroidered patches you get, in many shapes and sizes. The ones you get in many numbers in many colors are handy too.

You also get beaded patches and sequined patches. You can make embroidered patch yourself with felt ( which does not fray on the edges) or other methods. Checkout the 10 ways to make clothing patches . and How to applique – tutorial

 

You can also make the embroidered fabric patch yourself easily following the tutorial.

Then you can cut the fabric for the patch from the garment itself. If it is a small hole, check for extra fabric in the hem. May be the garment has a big enough turned under hem which can be used as a patch for a hole; if you are game for shortening the skirt or dress for a patch I would not blame you; anything for rescuing a favourite dress.

If the garment has a facing, maybe it is big enough for you to cut out a little bit to sew over a hole. Contrast fabric pieces are used as a patch and they bring a certain interesting look to the garment as well.  

Related posts : How to mend holes on jeans; How to sew patches on jeans;  How to make a beaded patch