If you’ve been keeping up on the quirky-girl style trends that have become increasingly popular within the last year like I have, you’ve noticed a particular theme showing up in various clothing and apparel stores: patched denim!
It’s very “90s” meets “modern-day individuality” fashion. And with March coming up, you may be looking for a unique jacket that’s not too light or too heavy for those breezy spring days. This project is super fun and simple to do, and it’s an awesome way for you to wear something that reflects your personality!
I’ve noticed many ways that patched denim has been paving its way into popularity. There’s patched hats, jackets, flannels, jeans, and even fanny packs! When I first became aware of the trend, I was obsessed. However, most of the patched apparel that you find in mainstream stores such as Forever 21 or PacSun tend to be really expensive, running up to 40 or 50 dollars.
And why? Specifically, the jackets that these stores sell usually only have about two or three mediocre, random patches attached onto them. Why should I pay 50 dollars for something that I could make even better myself using an old jacket from Goodwill and a handful of patches of my choosing.
So, I headed to Goodwill and did just that. Step 1 is to pick out the jacket that you want to adorn. Fit and style is up to you. I found 2 jackets that I really liked. One was longer and more baggy/casual while the other one was neat and fitted, and fit me like a glove. Upon further inspection, I noticed that the longer jacket had “Barb” written on the back in black sharpie, and while I do love Stranger Things, I just don’t think I can pull off the Barb look. So, I chose the fitted jacket, and it only cost me about $5.00.
The next thing you should do is pick out your accessories, whether they be pins, patches, or both! You’d be surprised where you can find these. I’ve seen them anywhere, like Party City, the dollar store, or H&M. I chose to order most of mine from Amazon and Etsy, because the possibilities were endless there. I found so many patches that were perfect for expressing my personality. These patches can range anywhere from $1.00-$8.00 depending on how unique the patch is or if it’s handmade. Spend accordingly to your taste!
Some of My Favorites So Far
Once you think you’ve got a substantial collection of pins and patches to add to your jacket, you can start the customization process. It’s really simple and doesn’t take long. I’ve found myself ironing patches onto my jacket in between classes when I want to do something enjoyable or stress-relieving.
You will need an iron, your jacket, a washcloth or towel, and your patches!
First, find a spot to put your patch. Think about placement carefully. The adhesive on the back side of the patch is strong, so you want to get it right on the very first try. Look for an area that is visible. Good places are on the front and back of the jacket, especially the bottom of the back, where your hair won’t cover it up too much. If you’re going to put it on a sleeve, make sure it’s on your upper arm and away from where your elbow creases, because when this area is patched, it is uncomfortable while wearing and limits bending of the arm. You may want to try the jacket on first and then mark a good spot with light pencil marks, because the jacket looks a lot different wrapped around a human body than it does when it’s laying flat on an ironing board.
I thought a good place to put my latest patch would be above crying Drake. Lay the patch down exactly where you want it before advancing to the next step.
Now, grab your washcloth or towel and very gently lay it over the patch you just set down so as not to move it. The washcloth will protect the patch and the jacket from the intense heat of the iron. Set your iron to the highest setting, or the setting for “Cotton.” I had literally never used an iron until I started this DIY journey, so if I can do it, you can do it. Be careful not to burn yourself! Once the iron has heated up, press it firmly down on top of the washcloth you just laid on your patch. Hold down for about 15 seconds, and then lift the iron. The first time you do this, the patch’s glue may not activate at all and you will be confused as to what you are doing wrong. Do not worry, just simply repeat the process until the patch stays on the jacket without moving or lifting. It may take a few rounds of ironing and checking the glue. Be patient. Eventually the adhesive will melt and stick to the fabric. Just keep ironing for short increments at a time, up to 20 seconds or so.
Once you’ve made sure that the patch has stuck to the jacket, check the edges of the patch to see if they’re secure. Before you do this, give the glue a few seconds to dry. Take your finger and gently poke and prod around the edges, checking for any parts of the patch that seem to be loose or less secure. Then simply re-iron, focusing on these areas.
Once your patch is secure, you’re all set! Sometimes, your patch may become loose due to general wear and tear or poor quality glue. If you’re worried about this happening or just want a neater look, go ahead and sew around the edges of the patch to reinforce it onto your jacket.