In the sewing world, we refer to patches as ‘appliqués’. You can have a patch or appliqué added to your favorite garment. This can spruce up a pair of jeans or make a plain shirt look so much more appealing. If you have a hole in your favorite shirt, some damaged jeans, or a hoodie that has seen better days, why not cover it up with a patch? So how to Sew on a Patch with a Sewing Machine
Patches work as well on jackets or uniforms. You can also use patches to add cool-looking designs to an otherwise boring garment.

Using a sewing machine is a great way to quickly sew on a patch. Sewing machines are also more convenient than hand sewing because they do not require you to constantly stop and rethread the needle. Some people say that sewing patches on with a machine is easier than doing so by hand.
The type of material you’re sewing onto will determine your approach. For example, sewing on a patch to a piece of fabric is not the same as sewing on a patch to a jacket. You need to take into account the durability and weight of the material you are working with.
There are several ways you can sew patches on a garment. One of them is using a sewing machine. The other one is hand sewing it. In this article, we have discussed the process of sewing a patch on your garment with the help of a sewing machine. We will also go over some tips and tricks for making sure your project turns out perfectly.
What you will need:
- A pair of scissors
- A needle to sew with
- Threads that match the color of your clothes
- The patch that you want to sew on
- Sewing machine
- Fabric pins
How to Sew on a Patch with a Sewing Machine
Decide where to place it
Decide where you would like to put your patch. It’s important that you’re happy with the placement of the patch because once you sew it on, removing it will damage the fabric.
Some common spots are on the back of the garment, on one of its sleeves, or over one of its pockets. You can also choose to stitch it onto a sleeve cuff or collar for extra detail.

Pin the patch in the position
Now it’s time to pin your patch. This is important because it will prevent your patch from shifting while you are sewing. If you don’t pin it, then your patch might end up crooked when you’re done sewing.
Also, be sure to place the pins perpendicular to your fabric so that they do not get in the way of your sewing machine needle.
Get your sewing machine ready
Set up your sewing machine for a zigzag stitch with a narrow width. You’ll also want to set a small stitch length so that it doesn’t show as much on, a jacket, jeans, pants, or shirt.
Adjust the tension dial according to the thickness of the material being sewn on (e.g., denim).
Select a color of thread that is matching or close to matching with the color of the patch.
Ideally, it is best if you go with a straight stitch because it will keep the patch strong. Once everything is ready, lower down your presser foot.
Start sewing
Start by sewing along the edge of your patch using a zigzag stitch and go all around until you reach back where you started from, cut off any excess thread or fabric at this point too.
Make sure there aren’t any loose ends sticking out on either side of where it was sewn.
How to Sew on a Patch Without a Sewing Machine (Sewing by Hands)
A sewing machine is not the only tool in your sewing arsenal. There are many different types of jobs that can be done with just a needle and thread. Sewing with a needle and thread over a hole by hand is the more traditional way of sewing, and you may find yourself needing to use this technique at some point.
Materials:
The must-have materials you need include:
- The fabric or cloth you want to sew on the patch.
- The needle
- Patch
- Sewing pins
- Thread ( Same color as that of the patch)
- Sewing scissors
- A tape or ruler for measuring
- Iron
To sew on a patch by hand, simply follow the steps below
Wash, dry, and iron the fabric
The fabric should be clean and wrinkle-free before you sew your patch on it. If the material is dirty or wrinkled, the patch may not stick. Make sure to apply the patch on the desired spot before washing.
Use pins to hold the patch
Use safety pins to hold the patch firmly in place on your clothing or bag. This way, you can make sure that it is in the proper position before you begin sewing it on. If you want to, draw a line around the edge of your patch with a pencil or chalk so that you can see where to sew it onto the fabric.
Thread the needle
Cut yourself a piece of thread about 15 to 20 inches (38 to 50 cm) long and thread it through your needle at one end. Tie a knot at one end of the string with a double knot so that it doesn’t slide out of your fabric while you are sewing.
Start the sewing process
Make sure that there is an even amount of fabric on either side of the patch, then begin sewing by making a running stitch at one edge of the patch. Keep your stitches small and close together, but not so small that they’re difficult to see or pull through the material easily.
Sew all around
Sew from one corner to another, going around the entire patch in little stitches until you come back to where you started. Tie off with another knot and cut off any extra thread.
Tips for Sewing on a Patch on you garment
- Mark the placement of your patch using chalk or a fabric marker.
- Make sure that the fabric being used can withstand the sewing process. Some fabrics or garments can be damaged by the needle and thread that are used during the sewing process.
- Use a suitable thread length. When you’re threading up your needle, ensure the length of your thread is roughly two times the circumference of your garment.
- People who decide to sew a patch should also make sure that they know where they want it placed before they start sewing. This will allow people to avoid making any mistakes during the sewing process.
- Remember to iron their fabric before they sew the patches on them. This will make it easier to create straight lines and help them avoid making mistakes. The fabric should be ironed for several minutes before people start working with it.
- If you are sewing on an embroidered patch, ensure you use small stitches so that they do not show from the other side of the garment. Alternatively, you can use invisible stitching or hand-sewing with a whipstitch for better results.
Final words
Sewing patches onto clothing is not difficult, but it can still be intimidating for those who have never done it. Hopefully, these simple steps will help you on your way to patching up your favorite garments and making them look as good and new as they did when you bought them.
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