Recycle Old Clothing with Custom Patches: Step-By-Step Guide
We all have emotional support clothes we hold dear. We’ve had them for a long time and don’t want to let go anytime soon. But it’s a known fact that every good friendship comes to an end. The sad day comes when the clothes get a weird stain we can’t remove, or tears in places that are too visible.
So you have no choice but to throw it away.
But there’s a plot twist. What if you didn’t have to say goodbye to your favorite clothing items? Sounds like a dream? You’d be delighted to know that it’s a reality! This is where custom patches come in.
These pieces of fabric might seem small, but they’re lifesavers for clothes. All you need are a few stitches, and your favorite shirt will come back to life. They hide stains and tears like nothing else. Their magic doesn’t end here. They turn your plain, old-looking items into bold fashion statements.
And the best part? You don’t have to be a pro at DIY-ing things to upcycle your clothes. Using these is very easy.
In this guide, we’ll be exploring how you can save your worn-out clothes and upgrade your wardrobe at the same time with patches.
Bringing Your Old Friends (Clothes) Back To Life with Custom Patches
We know how hard it is to say goodbye to your beloved clothing items when they’re no longer wearable. Before we talk about how you can save yours, let’s cover some basics first.
Making it stick
These little pieces of fabric, like navy patches, come in a variety of backing types; you need to pick one depending on what you’re trying to fix.
Iron on
The name says it all. All you need is an iron. This is the easiest type of patch to apply to a variety of clothing items. There’s a heat-activated adhesive at the back.
| Tools you need |
| Iron Pressing cloth |
| How to apply |
| Wash and dry the clothing item. Smooth out any wrinkles. Place the patch where the damage is. Make sure it covers the tear or stain. Double-check the alignment before you iron. Put a cloth over the patch. Press it down with a heated iron and let it cool. |
- Pro-tip: Stitch the corners for a more secure attachment.
Sew on
These need to be stitched onto fabrics. You should be skilled enough with threads and needles for this. This attachment style is more suitable for areas prone to wear and tear; it’s secure enough.
| Tools you need |
| Needle Thread Scissors |
| How to apply |
| Prepare the clothing item. Lay it flat on a surface for easier stitching. Place the patch on the stain or cut. Use a pin or fabric tape to hold it in place. Take a needle and thread it. Start stitching from one edge, keep them even and close. Make sure you cover all the edges so the patch doesn’t peel off. |
Velcro
These come in 2 parts. One sticks to the surface of the fabric, providing space for the other part to stick to. If you want removable patches, these might be the perfect choice.
| Tools you need |
| Needle Thread Scissors Glue (optional) Sewing Machine |
| How to apply |
| Gather materials, the hook side and the matching loop side. Use glue or stitches to attach the hook to the cloth. Make sure the area is flat for proper attachment. Stitch the loop side; it should be evenly aligned. Place the hook side on the loop and press down. |
Peel and stick
These have a self-adhesive that sticks onto surfaces. Not the most suitable for a long-term fix for worn-out clothes.
| Tools you need |
| None |
| How to apply |
| Remove any dirt or lint. Place the patch where you want it to cover the stain or tear. Remove the backing from the adhesive side. Place it on the cloth. Press it down firmly. Start from the center and move outwards. |
- Pro Tip: Hand-wash the clothing item. These peel off easily when washed without care.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are the clothing items you can patch up with these little pieces of fabric for a cool look.
T-shirts and sweatshirts
This goes without saying, but shirts are the easiest to patch up. Whether you’re trying to hide any stains or cuts, or just want to upgrade boring items, there’s a patch for every need.
Keep in mind that thin materials might not be the best for certain patches. They will also need extra care in case you use iron-ons.
Bags and caps
Many don’t know, but accessories like backpacks, purses, and caps can also be patched up! All you need to do is pick an attachment style that works with the material type. The right choice will take your worn-out items from awful to awesome.
Jeans and denim jackets
Your favorite pair of jeans has a glaring stain on the front, but don’t worry. All you need is an attractive patch (or patches) to cover it all up. The rough fabric will be perfect for attaching sew-on and iron-on items. Go for embroidered patches Sharjah. They go really well with the denim look.
Apart from this, you can also make a one-of-a-kind jacket with these. Just choose a bunch of funky designs for the back or the sleeve.
Wrapping Up
Your favorite clothing items don’t have to become a memory. Goodbyes are hard, and you don’t have to say it to your beloved shirts and jeans. You don’t have to get new ones; all you need is a bit of creativity and a few patches. The tears and stains will disappear like they were never there to begin with.
Don’t limit yourself. Your clothes don’t have to be worn out for you to consider patching them. Sometimes it’s good to add a bit of a funky flair to your wardrobe, to make heads turn in public. Your dream of having one-of-a-kind outfits is just a few custom patches away.