Patches are a great way to embellish clothing, bags, hats and crafts. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Some are embroidered with classic cross stitching, while others have a sequin-like appearance. Felt patches can be made to feature brand logo designs or fun Tumblr-inspired graphics, as well as global landmarks for those who want to express their wanderlust.

The first step in creating a felt patch is to decide on the design. The most common patches are simple shapes found in cookie cutters (stars, hearts, trees, Easter chicks and eggs) but you can also make more complex creations of your own design. Depending on the type of patch, the background may be a solid color or it may be textured, or even 3D. Many are embroidered with embroidery floss, and some are finished with a permanent peel-and-stick fabric adhesive.

Soft and Stylish: Exploring the Appeal of Felt Patches in Modern Fashion

Once your design is finalized, it is time to begin sewing the felt patch together. The easiest method is to use a hoop and embroidery floss, but you can also stitch by hand or with a machine. If you are stitching by hand, use a running or whip stitch and make sure that the stitches are close to each other.

Once the embroidery is complete, the glued-on backing can be attached to the patch with a bar-style pinback. The final result is a patch that looks like a badge and can be worn on any item of clothing or accessory.