How to Sew on a Patch
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Learn how to sew on a patch three different ways! See examples of sewing a patch onto a backpack, jeans, and a pouch.
I’ve slowly been collecting pretty and fun embroidered patches over the years. I always save them for the perfect project, but then it sits in my stash without ever getting used.
Today I’m using some of them, and I’m teaching you how to sew on a patch because it is the simplest sewing project! Finding embroidery patches you love is so fun and can be great reminders of fun events, so put them on a jacket, bag, or backpack and enjoy them!
Do you love to sew and mend? Try some of these other sewing projects:
- How to mend a hole in jeans
- How to cover a hole without mending
- How to fix a zipper on jeans
- How to sew a zipper pouch
- Sewing and alterations you can do yourself
how to sew on a patch
supplies
- Embroidered patch
- Zipper pouch (or denim jacket, military jacket, or tote bag)
- Washable glue stick
- Sewing machine
In this example I show how to sew a embroidered flower patch onto a zipper pouch, but it will also work for for a tote bag, denim jacket, or military jacket since it’s one thick patch on medium to heavy weight fabric. There’s also some maneuvering you have to do while sewing with each of these.
Add glue to the back of the patch and “glue” the patch onto the item. The glue will keep the patch in place while you sew, but it will dry clear.
It’s really hard to pin through a thick patch so glue is a much better option. It is not permanent so you still need to sew.
Choose a thread the matches the outer edge of the embroidered patch. Sometimes there’s an border that you can match and sew on.
My patch doesn’t have an border so I chose white since the background of the patch is white. White will blend in the best.
Sew around the edge of the patch with a sewing machine. Sew with a straight stitch pivoting at corners and curving around curves. Backstitch when you start and stop.
How to sew a patch on a backpack
supplies
- Embroidered patch
- Backpack
- Washable glue stick
- Sewing machine
Add glue to the back of the patch. The glue will keep the patch in place while you sew, but it is washable.
It’s really hard to pin through a thick patch so glue is a much better option. It is not permanent so you still need to sew.
Glue the patch onto the item and let it dry.
Choose a thread the matches the border of the embroidered patch. My patch has a blue border, so I sewed around the edge with blue fabric.
Sew around the edge of the patch with a sewing machine. Sew with a straight stitch pivoting at corners and curving around curves. Backstitch when you start and stop.
How to sew a patch on jeans
supplies
- Scrap piece of denim fabric
- Jeans with a hole
- Washable glue stick
- Seam ripper
- Sewing machine
Cut a scrap piece of denim that is 1 inch larger on all sides than the hole. Finish the edges with a serger or a zigzag.
If the hole is on the leg or an area that is hard to get to, you’ll need to open the side seam with a seam ripper.
Add glue to the back of the patch. Glue the patch onto the hole centering it. Make sure the patch doesn’t get glued through the hole to the other side of the jeans.
Choose a thread the matches patch like navy or gray.
Sew around the edge of the patch with a sewing machine. Sew with a straight stitch pivoting at corners. Backstitch when you start and stop.
Turn the leg right side out. Pin the open seam back together and sew the seam in place.
If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!
I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather