I picked up this Polo sweatshirt at TJ Maxx with the plan to pick off the logo, wash the fabric back into shape and wear it sans logo.

As you can see, it didn’t work out so well. That polo horse is one intricate, ultra-overstitched lil bugger. Even with the utmost care and a seam ripper tool, this hole is the best I could do. So it became- patch it or trash it.
Tip:  Be sure to wash the article of clothing before patching. If stretched out, washing will shrink the fibers back where they’re supposed to be, then the patch and fabric can stretch together when worn again- this is especially true when patching jeans or pants.

I has this fabric laying out on the cutting table, all ready to be made into a pillow- I liked it with the color of the hoody so much, I snipped out a square of it to make a patch.
Tip: Using the print on a fabric or cutting around a specific shape, like a flower, can make a very pleasing patch.

The patch fabric I used was a heavier weight upholstery fabric meaning it’s thicker and has more texture to it than a regular cotton. A fabric like this would make an excellent patch on jeans or pants, wash up and wear well.

When patching clothing, in particular, I like to use Heat n Bond which is an iron-on adhesive you can find in any craft or fabric store.
Tip: I would definitely recommend using an adhesive of some kind under a patch, it sturdies up the patch and keeps it from bunching up over the hole and looking weird after it’s washed.
As you can see, there are a couple of different kinds of iron-on adhesive. For patching clothes I would go straight for the ultrahold Heat n Bond, but if you have the lite version already on hand, that should work just fine.
Follow the instructions on the package, which will go like this:
1. Pre-heat iron to medium heat setting without steam. Place adhesive, paper side up on the back (or wrong side) of material to be bonded.
2. Place and hold iron on paper side of adhesive for 2 seconds. Repeat by gliding iron to new area and pressing, slightly overlapping previous area until entire surface is bonded. Allow material to cool.
3. Cut to desired size or shape (if necessary) peel off paper backing.
4. Place material, adhesive side down, in desired position on top of project. Press and hold iron for 8-10 seconds on each section until entire piece is bonded. (ironing time may vary for heavier or layered items.)

5. Sew along edges of the item that was ironed down for a permanent bond.
I top-stitched by hand around the patch with embroidery floss. This step will definitely help keep corners from rolling up which is bound to happen even if you use the heavier duty “no-sew” Heat n Bond. I hand-stitched the edges because that was the look I wanted, but machine stitching the edges would work just fine and blend in nicely.

I added a patch to the inside of the hoody too, using the same Heat n Bond process  as with the outside patch. This isn’t completely necessary but recommended when patching pants in particular. As you can see, it didn’t line up perfectly which gives it an artsy, I’m-no-perfectionist (or who cares because no one will ever see it) look and strengthen the patch area.

Here’s to keeping your favorite article of clothing around just a bit longer and added an element of questioning sophistication to your clothing-  keep everyone guessing.