How do you sew a patch onto a sleeve?

Question

I am new to sewing. My bf has a long sleeve jacket that he wants to sew patches all over.. like a punk rock jacket.

Is there a way to sew on a patch to the sleeve using a sewing machine? Because I don't see how it would work.. Or do you have to hand sew it?

Im talking sewing a patch on a long sleeve jacket for example where your elbow would be.

Thanks!

Answer 1

You won't be able to get that far down the sleeve with a domestic machine. You can sew it on by hand, use an adhesive, or take it to a shoe repair shop - their machines can reach inside a sleeve.



I don't recommend opening up a side seam if it's a heavy fabric like denim or leather unless 1. you know your machine can handle the bulk of the fabric and you have the right needle and thread, and 2. you have some moderate sewing experience, which I'm guessing you don't since you're asking how to.



If it's a padded jacket, some of the padding may be tacked down to the seams, and will need to be restitched. If there's a lining you'll have to close the lining up by hand where you opened it - and if you're going to be sewing by hand anyhow, just sew the patch on by hand.



It'd be less trouble to take it to a dry cleaners or shoe doctor - it doesn't cost much at all.

Answer 2

If the jacket is unlined, open a seam so the area is as flat as you can get it. Mark the area for the patch before placing the sleeve under the presser foot of the machine.



If the jacket is lined, hand stitching patches at the elbows may be more secure than fabric glue*.



To hand stitch, you need to pull the lining away from the outer sleeve so you can stitch just the patch and sleeve and not the lining.



You can use Fabri-Tac* (craft stores in fabric crafts and craft glues and paints at Walmart) for other patches and it may also work for the elbows.

Answer 3

Just open the sleeve seam along the underside of the arm, sew on the patch, and then resew the sleeve seam. By "arm plate", I think the other poster is referring to the free arm feature found in some, but not all sewing machines. It helps, but isn't a cureall for your problem.

Answer 4

you can buy iron on patches, or a patch glue, hand sewing would take forever!

Answer 5

For my patch with the Fire Department, I just used something called liquid stitch. It stays on good. I found it at walmart.