The Best Ways to Apply Elbow Patches to Blazers

Blazers and suits are now commonly for every occasion by people all over the world. Blazers especially have been extremely popular worldwide. They are also found in different types and styles including casual leather blazers, black blazers, party-wear blazers, dual color blazers, woolen blazers and denim blazers.

Originally, elbow patches were used as a necessity to cover up torn tweed jackets and hunting jackets. Over time, elbow patches added to the fashion quotient and even helped in wardrobe rotation. There’s a bit of humor in elbow patches, which makes it pair well with several classic wardrobe elements like skirts, pleats, and slacks.

Elbow patches have been originally used by hunters on their hunter jackets for shooting although its use in fashion is shrouded in mystery. In the 1920s, even college kids have stuck with elbow patches to continue wearing their worn-off favorite jackets.

The Purpose of Elbow Patches on Blazers:

During the Victorian era, people seldom took off their coats in public and cared about hygiene more than it is today. The coat was an expensive piece of menswear and people wanted it to last long as possible.

Elbow patches were cheap and could correct expensive coats that were torn at the elbows, especially since many people rested their elbows consistently on the table or on arms of chairs. Oval patches made from leather were generally used to stitch on the stressed coat fabric: especially the elbows.

Requirements for Elbow Patches on the Blazer:

• 1 Blazer
• Heavy fabric color that complements the blazer
• A white sheet of paper
• Objects with round bottoms like a mug or cup
• Pencil and eraser
• Markers
• Scissors
• Rulers for measurement
• Safety pins and paper clips
• Needle and thread
• Measuring tape

Elbow patches are made from different materials, especially tough, wear-resistant materials that include leather and heavy wools. Full leather clothes protect riders from road rashes, so leather patches can withstand the low-stress impact of desks and chairs too. The patches are usually coordinated with sports coats and contrasted with the color of the coats.

Steps to Apply Patches to Your Blazer:

1. Choose Different Types and Shapes of Elbow Patches:

For each custom patch for your elbow, you can choose a different shape and texture depending on the blazer type. Your design does not have to follow popular patterns but one can feel free to embrace some patterns and odd shapes along the way. Check out the varied shapes that you can try with your elbow patch:

2. Design your Patch Patterns:

Place a cup or any other round-bottomed object on a white piece of paper and draw around it. Typically elbow patches are oval in shape with a diameter of 6 to 7 inches. Use the cup for drawing another second overlapping circle.

Draw a line between both oval circles and delete lines of the original circles to give way to the oval shape. Cut the shape, which will form the elbow patch pattern. Place the same on felt material and trace it and cut out both ovals. Even if the cutting is a bit rough around edges, it will look good on the blazers.

3. Decide Where to Sew an Elbow Patches:

Put on the blazer and let your arm bend steadily. Just check where you want the patch to be placed, and would actually look good for your look. Mark that part with a marker and apply the patch on it.

4. Choose Relevant Needles and Match or Contrast Colors:

Thread a needle the same color thread or even with contrasting colored threads. The needles should sew the thread on the borders of the patch well, and should not be messy or it will show, especially if you opt for contrasting colored threads.

5. Decide the Method to Sew Elbow Patches:

Start the needlework from under the patch, so the knot does not show. Stitch from outside the patch, and ensure edges are sewn. Tie the thread off below the patch at the end, so it is not revealed.

You can cover unsightly tears and holes in a fabric, by applying a stylish element to the cloth. Patches can fix a ripped garment and even applied as decorative elements. You can sew the patches around the edges by hand or by a sewing machine. A criss-cross stitch on the sewing machine will help keep the edges together.

6. Start Sewing Elbow Patches:

Place elbow patches on marked spot, ensuring it is in the middle of the mark. Use safety pins to secure the patch to the elbow. Place the thread in the needle and then tie the knot. The needle should go through the fabric from the sleeve so that the final knot is hidden.

Start sewing around the edges as it moves across the blazer arm, and lining. In one motion, let the needle cross three layers of fabric and back out, with your other hand guiding the needle through the inner sleeve. Double back at the end of the circle to sew leftover spots. Tie a knot underneath the elbow patch and remove excess thread once the circle is over.

7. Iron on Blazer Along with Elbow Patch:

After sewing elbow patch, iron your blazer across the patch border so that it looks one with the blazer without any frazzled edges or rough stitches all over.

Difference between sewing by hand and sewing machines

Stitches are more secure with the best sewing machines since 2 strands of thread are stitched thus resulting in a stronger patch application than hand stitches. Also, sewing machines can get the stitches done in minutes which will normally take hours by hand stitches. One saves a lot of time with a sewing machine.

They are also good especially for thicker fabrics with some minor adjustments on the machine required to accommodate diverse types of fabrics.

One does require best custom embroidery patches especially elbow patches done by a well-known provider like Patch Emblem. This company specializes in making elbow patches for blazers along with embroidered patches, woven labels, emblems, chenille letters and more.

These patches can serve as great branding tools for business, club, school, organization etc. They also look great on uniforms, hats, blazers, and golf shirts. At Patch Emblem, we provide high-quality custom patches with great design consistently thus helping businesses and patch owners stand out in the crowd.

Pick out a good sewing machine from Stitch and Sew and get to work! 😉