Make do and mend! How to patch your clothes.
From squirrels to UFOs, our stores are packed full of decorative patches for your clothes, bags and blankets. But patches are not just decorative. Oh no, siree! Use a patch to repair a hole or rip in your favourite pair of jeans, jumper or shirt and you are not only making a sustainable choice to save them from landfill but also turning your well-loved garment into a unique fashion statement.
Getting started with make-do-and-mend is super easy – you don’t need many tools or skills to fix that hole in your clothes.
Depressed In The Northwest Patch
Less Intense, More In Tents · Patch
Only You Heritage Smokey Bear Patch
I Swoon for the Moon Embroidered Patch
Meddling Kids Mystery Club Patch
Step 1– Choose your patch.
It is a good idea to have a similar weight of fabric for your patch – so a thick patch will work well for covering a hole in your jeans or coat, whereas a thinner patch will be good for a shirt or skirt.
Make sure your patch is big enough for the hole you are repairing. Your patch should be at least 1.5cm larger on all sides than the hole you are repairing.
You can choose an iron-on or sew-on patch.
Step 2 – Place your patch.
Sew-on patches: Pin your patch into place over the hole.
Iron-on patches: Simply place your patch over the hole.
If your hole is large or untidy you may want to trim the frayed edges or lightly sew the ripped edges together before placing your patch.
If you're using an iron-on patch to repair a large hole you may need to place a small scrap of material behind the hole to stop the glue from sticking to the other side of your garment.
Stop Copying Me Embroidered Patch
Roswell UFO Alien Abduction Patch
Capybara Embroidered Iron-on Patch
Step 3 – Fix the patch to your clothes.
Sew-on patches: Sew by machine or hand. Simply run a stitch around the edge of the patch until it is secure. Remove the pins.
Iron-on patches: Place a thin piece of material (such as a tea towel or pillowcase) over your patch and iron on high heat. Leave to cool then repeat.
Step 4 – Finished!
Now put on your revitalised favourite item of clothing and wait for the compliments to come flying your way!