Patch shirts, jeans, shorts, and jackets are a perennial trend. When you love the look and want a unique piece, or are thinking about DIY, you are in luck. This post teaches how to make your so-you patched shirt with tips on what iron-on patches to shop for to look sophisticated. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of making your patched clothes, including the costs.
Disclosure: The post has affiliate links.
How To Patch A Shirt?
Patched clothes are a thing this season. A while ago, I wore a patched shirt on the blog that I had made myself. Because several readers requested how to add patches to a shirt or jacket in a grown-up way, here is the tutorial including an infographic.
What Is the Origin of Patched Clothes?
Patches have their origin in the military – think name tag, rank indication, Nationality, unit, etc.. Many businesses use patches to display their employees’ name on the uniform, as encouragement to ask, special skills, and/or to show their corporate identity. Since patches are worn in professional environments, the patch trend can be worn in fashion over 40 without looking ridiculous.
The Use of Patches in the 1960s and 1970s
Of course, for women over 50, patches also remind us of the jeans our moms fixed by sewing on patches over the ripped holes. That’s
How not to wear patches!
They also remind us of our favorite bands. The tongue patch of the Rolling Stones – remember that?
It was among the favorites of denim jackets. It is still today a Go-to for many when it comes to what to wear at an outdoor concert.
What Iron-On Patches to Shop For
However, whether you shop for a patched item or go the DIY route, choose wisely. This means stay away from everything cute, childish, or patches that were already around when you were a teenager (e.g., the Rolling Stones tongue).
It is best to look for patches that relate to you, like the flag of your state, places you visited, patches representing your hobbies or favorite sports, a charity you care for, you get the idea.
I went for ballroom dancing, soccer, patches related to atmospheric sciences like NASA, NOAA, and weather patches. I love cats, so a cat was in order. Stars and clover leaves always work. I also added the cancer awareness pink ribbon, and the Alaska state and US flags.
Easy to Follow Steps to Patch a Garment
Wash the shirt that you want to patch. Arrange the patches on the front of the shirt until you like your arrangement (step 1 in the photo below). Take a photo and put the patches aside. Turn the shirt around and arrange the remaining patches on the back (step 2). Again, take a picture when you like your arrangement.
Infographic of the steps of how to make your own patched shirt. 1 and 2) arrange the patches and take a photo, 3) heat the iron, 4) put a patch in the foreseen place according to the photo of the design, 5) iron patch on and wait until it is cool, 6) add the next patch on by continuing at 4)
Follow the iron-on instructions that came with the patches you bought. Set the iron to the recommended temperature and wait until it indicates that it has reached the temperature setting (step 3).
Now start ironing the patches, one patch at a time (step 4).
Tip: Wait for each patch to cool down before adding the next.
We are all busy and don’t have much time. However, it is very important that you wait for each patch to cool down before ironing the next patch on. The clue has to settle (by cooling down). If you bend the patched fabric too early, the patch will peel off at its edges! Then you will have to sew it on, which can be very time-consuming depending on how complicated the edges of the patch are.
Pro tip: To not burn or ruin the patches, use a piece of thin fabric between the patch and the iron (see 3 to 4 in the photo above).
Once all patches are in place, the styling fun can begin.
How to Add Sequin Patches?
Because sequins are made of plastic, they can’t be ironed on. Therefore, you have to hand-stitch them onto the fabric. This procedure can be time-consuming. If you don’t want to invest the time, you can find cheap sequin patch denim jacket designer pieces at StyleWe, a store that specializes in providing young, upcoming designers a platform to sell their clothes.
Will a DIY Patched Item Be Cheaper?
As so often, it depends. You have to take into account the price of the item to be used plus the patches (the fraction of cents for electricity). When you are new to crafting you may have to invest in tools you don’t own yet.
If you upcycle an old shirt, the cost-per-wear will go down faster than for a new one. The more or bigger the patches the more expensive the piece will become. Therefore, DIY is not necessarily cheaper than a cheap bought one. However, DIY will provide a unique so-you shirt.
Patched Shirt Outfit Ideas
Tip: You can even give your Apparel a personal touch with customized patches and embroidery.
Photos of me: G. Kramm
Photos of the patching process: N. Mölders
Inforgraphic of the patching process: N. Mölders
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