How to Make Custom Patches
Covering over a hole in your clothing or adding decorative patches to jazz up the look of your plain clothing or accessories can be simple and straightforward with the right supplies and an idea in mind of how to make custom patches. Once you have selected the fabric you'll be using to make the patch, you should have your custom patch finished in less than 30 minutes. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Item to be fixed or embellished
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Double-sided adhesive bond
- Coordinating fabric
- Scissors
- Iron
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the area on your clothing or accessory that you want to cover over to fix it, or for embellishment. Trace the size of patch you need onto one of the paper sides of your double-sided adhesive.
-
2
Draw onto the paper the shape of the patch you want to use, making sure your drawing is larger than the traced portion already on the paper from Step 1. Don't limit your custom patch to the standard square or rectangular shape; instead, create patches in shapes like stars, flowers, circles, birds or leaves.
-
-
3
Select a fabric that works well to blend in or stand out as you prefer, with the item you want to cover. Make sure the fabric is at least as large as the drawing you have made on the paper side of your adhesive bond.
-
4
Peel away the opposite paper side (the side where you have not drawn) from the adhesive. Stick the exposed bond portion onto the wrong side of your coordinating fabric, and press it down with your hands to temporarily hold the bond in place.
-
5
Cut out your patch outline following the drawn lines on the bond's paper, cutting through both the bond and the fabric at the same time. Peel away the drawn paper portion of the adhesive bond once you cut out the patch.
-
6
Spread out your item of clothing you want to patch, and make the area where the patch will go as flat as possible. Center your coordinating fabric patch over the area with the bond facing down. Press the patch down to adhere the patch to your item temporarily.
-
7
Double check the positioning of the patch, and adjust it as needed. Press the patch with an iron set on the appropriate heat and steam levels for the fabric you are using. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the adhesive to know how long to press the patch to make the bond permanent.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
For hole patching, often adding extra patches near or next to your needed patch can make the fix look less obvious and appear intentional.
