How to Sew a Patch on Jeans

I’ve decided I need to start sewing a patch on all of Little MK’s jeans that have holes in them. It seems Little MK can’t wear his jeans more than 2-3 times before there are holes in the knees; I can’t keep up. So Little MK and I had fun going to craft stores picking out patches. He picked out some pretty cool super hero patches and a dinosaur patch.

Before I begin with the steps, you should know that sewing is optional. You could just iron the patch on and go. However, I know my child and know that he will tear that off in no time. So I decided to both iron and stitch the patch on.

I just got a new sewing machine and I absolutely love it. It is excellent quality and sews like a dream! Here is a link to the sewing machine I have. I have always had an entry-level Brother sewing machine. But I always had problems with it jamming and not being strong enough to sew what I needed. I am so happy I finally invested in a higher level machine.

Step 1: Rip the Seams out of One Side of the Jeans

Turn the jeans inside out and rip out the seam on the leg that has the hole in the knee. I have found that the outside seam is typically easier to get out. The length of the seam you need to rip out will depend both on the size of the hole and the size of your sewing machine. Personally, I have found it best to seam rip 3-4 inches past the center of the hole on each side (up and down the jean).

Step 2: Iron on the Patch

Once you complete the seam ripping, turn the jeans back to right-side-out. From here, find the best spot for the patch to cover up the hole in the jeans. Then follow the directions according to the patch you bought.

Step 3: Sew the Patch on

When the patch is all ironed on, you can begin sewing. Make sure your thread matches the patch so it blends in. This is where the seam-ripped area comes in. Slide the jeans onto your sewing machine where you ripped the seam.

From there you sew along the edges of the patch using a zig-zag stitch. If you are new to sewing or if this is your first time sewing a patch, you may want to start with an easier shaped patch. This dinosaur patch was a bit ambitious – Lots of sewing and turning. As you make your way around the patch, make sure that you don’t start sewing both sides of the jeans together (hmmm..I’m not speaking for personal experience…*cough* *cough*). With all the maneuvering, it’s very easy for the back portion of the jeans to suddenly end up underneath the area you are sewing. If that does happen to you, just seam rip it and continuing your sewing. 

Step 4: Sew the Jeans Back Up

After you are done sewing the patch on, you can sew the jeans back up. Turn them inside out and pin the jeans back together.

Start by re-sewing the straight stitch. Make sure you start 2-3 inches past where you seam-ripped to prevent it from unraveling in the future.

Finally you will sew up the serged part. If you have a serger, excellent! You are one step ahead of me. However, if you are like me and don’t have one, you can use a zig-zag stitch to re-sew this area. Once again, start 2-3 inches past where you seam-ripped.

That’s it. You’re done. The first time you do this project, it’s a little time consuming. However, once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze. And your wallet will thank you. No more purchasing new jeans every 1-2 weeks like I was. And added bonus your little one will love the finished project.