As I mentioned in my first NYFW SS19 outfit post I’m going to share with you all how I did my DIY denim jacket patch. I originally was going to purchase a custom patch from Etsy to apply to a denim jacket but after seeing how long the lead times were I quickly realized that was not going to be a possibility. Not to mention, most of the patches I saw were quite basic. I did a lot of searching online for some inspiration and came across this website that had the most unique custom felt patches. They were amazing but super expensive for what I wanted to do. So I set out to make my own instead.
Let me start by saying that I had no idea what I was doing before I started. I opened Photoshop and started to plan out my design. I wanted to use my blog logo font so that it was custom to my brand. Since there was going to be no way to make it fit across the back of the jacket and stand out enough I decided to stack the words. I also decided to vary the font sizes to make the logo for the patch that much more interesting.
Since I knew I wasn’t going to be able to match my blog colors exactly, I went to my local craft store, Beverly’s, and picked the closest matches from what they had in stock. They were also super helpful when it came to what I could use to adhere the felt to the denim jacket. They had a heavy duty double sided iron on backing that I purchased as well as fabric glue. Since this was my first time ever making a felt patch I bought extras of everything just in case I made any mistakes along the way.
15 Steps to DIY Your Own Denim Jacket Patch:
1. Create patch stencil using blog logo font and photoshop.
2. Create logo outline (also in photoshop or hand drawn outside of logo placement) for a shadow/layered effect.
3. Print out design and tape together for exact patch size.
4. Tape stencils to felt.
5. Cut out words by tracing/cutting around the letters (keeping the entire word in one piece of felt).
6. Cut out the logo background in second color of felt.
7. Place the words in the exact position desired on the jacket.
8. Apply backing to the letters which will then be ironed onto the second layer of felt. NOTE: I ironed over a tea towel so as to make sure I didn’t mark the felt or get the felt too hot.
9. Iron on each of the letters onto the felt backing.
10. Apply backing to the background felt.
11. Iron on the backing to the denim jacket.
12. Let the jacket sit overnight.
13. Using fabric glue, tack down the edges anywhere where the iron on backing didn’t stick to make sure it doesn’t peel up.
14. Let the glue fully dry overnight before wearing.
15. Lastly, and most importantly, enjoy your new custom denim jacket and be ready to get lots of compliments!
And out of curiosity, would any of you be interested in a custom felt patch with your name or blog logo? I got a lot of great feedback during NYFW, and after, so I’m gauging peoples interest. Depending, I might start offering to design them using your preferred font and colors…it never hurts to have a side hustle, am I right!
Shop DIY materials:
As always, thank you so much for stopping by the blog today!
