How To Attach Patches Without Sewing: Full Guide

You probably have a couple of patches you want to put on your jeans, or denim. When you first think of patches, you think of sewn-on patches.

However, you want to make a battle vest or make the back of your denim jacket look quirky and cool, but you don’t really know how to attach patches without sewing.

Well, there are many different ways in which you can stick your patches onto your denim, temporarily or permanently.

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How Patches Can Be Attached Without Sewing

While patches have been sewn on with a machine or by hand for centuries, even the thought of trying to sew a patch on can be a nerve-wracking experience for someone who’s never touched a needle in their life.

That is why I’m here to give you a few ways to attach patches without sewing. There are so many other ways of attaching a patch, from ironing it to using any kind of adhesive. There is no need to panic, there is a way suitable for everyone.

Also Read: Buying Gude On The Finest Sewing Machines For Doll Clothes

Different types of patches to consider

• Chenille patches
• Embroidered
• Leather
• Cotton

Depending on the different types of patches that you are using, you need to use the right method of displaying and attaching them to your clothes, or even backpack.

Ironing a patch

The easiest way to place a patch onto the garment of your choice is probably ironing. Most garments require heat applied directly onto them when you’re trying to get a patch to stick. Moreover, most patches usually are already made to be able to be ironed on.

As patches more often than not stick easily onto the material and are ironable, this makes it a great way of putting your patches onto your wanted fabric. Be careful though, because obviously, not all fabrics tolerate heat and patches won’t stick on materials such as leather.

Even though that’s a pretty apparent thing, you can never be too sure. Leather patches obviously won’t be able to be ironed on, however, cotton ones are perfectly suited for it.

Hem tape/Fusible web tape

This item is very well-known to you by now if you’ve wondered how to do anything without sewing. Nevertheless, hem tape or fusible web tape is a great option for stitching your patches together.

Hem tape and especially fusible web tape is a thin sticky web-like sheet that needs pressure and heat applied to it in order to stick.

Therefore, this fusible web tape can be applied just as easily as ironing the patch on. You just need to add one extra step, that is, actually putting the tape onto the patch. This is nothing serious as fusible tape can come off after a few washes.

No need to worry if you mess this up because it’s not permanent. It sticks on for a long time, but it doesn’t make it impossible to get off of your clothing as some of the other options.

Fabric Adhesive

The statement “some of the other options” in the previous paragraph applies to fabric adhesive. The best thing to do for adding a patch to your clothing is fabric adhesive. This makes it a permanent method of attaching a patch.

This can be great for any kind of fabric, especially synthetics that are sensitive to heat. Don’t underestimate the power of fabric adhesive though. Make sure to test it out on a small piece of fabric beforehand so it doesn’t ruin any of your colors or the fabric itself.

This is important for using fabric adhesive safely and conveniently. Using this type of adhesive is an amazing permanent method for gluing patches onto fabric effectively.

Once you glue the patch with fabric adhesive, be sure to leave it to dry overnight. This ensures that it is safely glued on and won’t fall off, instead you will be provided with the best results.

Velcro

Velcro is a hard hook and loop tape. This is also a common and practical method of sticking on patches, it’s perfect for reusing patches or not committing to one patch that you have to keep on your garment.

Some velcro has a self-adhesive backing, however, in the chance that yours doesn’t, you can just do the following.

With the help of velcro, you could just glue the back of the hook place it at your desired spot, and then press it on to make sure it’s properly attached to the fabric.

When you’ve done that you can put fabric adhesive on the back of the loop part and stick that onto the patch of your choice. Hold that down and press on it so you make sure it’s also properly attached.

After you’ve done all of this, just attach the hook and the loop together and you’ve got your patch all done, and then you’re finished.

Double-sided adhesive sheets

This is just a sheet that is adhesive on both sides as its name suggests. This makes it pretty easy to discover what it does. It’s self-explanatory and very simple to use.

Stick one side of the sheet to your fabric and the other to the patch you intend to use and you’re done. This is a very simple method and what makes it even better is that it’s tape, so it’s suitable for literally any kind of fabric.

Where to place your patches?

Place your patches in places you want them, somewhere they’re going to be visible and draw attention. What’s the point of adding a patch if it’s not even going to be seen?

Attach them to places that you know would make the patches stand out such as:

• Chest region or the upper side of your hoodie, shirt, or jacket
• The back of a denim jacket
• The back pockets of your jeans

Also Read: How You Can Join Fabric Without Sewing? 

Final Words

Patches are growing in popularity, especially with the return of the 80s and 90s fashion. This makes them trendy accessories and fashion statements that can be a part of your clothing.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the types of patches and materials used. Make sure to try out different ways of attaching them also, and know that sewing is not the only method. Have fun!