How to Make a Custom Cloth Patch

Patching clothing isn't just for repairs anymore. Make custom patches to embellish clothing as well as for patching up holes. Custom patches are easy to make and adhere to cloth. Materials for custom patches are inexpensive and easy to find at local craft and sewing stores.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth
• Clothing to be patched
• Iron on adhesive paper
• Iron with no steam
• Quilters pen with disappearing ink
• Scissors
• Template
• Ironing board

Instructions

1. Choose a material that coordinates with the item of clothing to be repaired or embellished. Cut out a square from the material that is just larger than the hold in the clothing.

2. Use a template to draw an outline of the shape you want to make the patch into. Use a pen made for sewing that has washable or disappearing ink. Cut out the shape.

3. Trace and cut an identical shape on the iron on adhesive paper. Follow the manufacturer instructions for adhering the material to the adhesive paper. Let the patch cool completely.

4. Lay the clothing to be patched out flat on an ironing board. Smooth the material so that there are no wrinkles on either the top or bottom layers of the clothing.

5. Attach the patch to the clothing by ironing according to the adhesive paper manufacturer instructions. Let the patch cool before wearing the clothing.

6. Wash patched clothing on a gentle cycle only after the patch has cured for at least 24 hours. Achieve the best results from your custom cloth patch by hang drying the clothing and avoiding high temperatures in clothing dryers.