Installing a Professor Patch on a Patagonia Sweater

Written By: Brittany McCrigler

Comments: 2

Installing a Professor Patch on a Patagonia Sweater

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 25 minutes

Introduction

This guide will walk you through the steps necessary to patch the elbow of your Patagonia sweater. A piece of felted sweater or corduroy fabric will make a great patch for your sweater. Choose a patch color that compliments the color of your sweater. You can sew the patch on by hand if you don’t have a sewing machine. Whether you hand-sew or machine-sew, you will need a ballpoint needle to prevent any snagging while sewing. If you choose to sew by hand, simply ignore the steps involving the sewing machine. Whichever method you choose, be sure to only sew through the top layer of the sleeve, or else you’ll sew your sleeve shut! New to sewing? Check out our sewing glossary.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Lay your sweater flat on a work surface, damage side up.
Measure the length of the hole.
Measure the width of the hole.

Step 2

On a piece of paper, mark the endpoints of a line that measures the length of the hole, plus one inch.
Mark the center of the two endpoints.
From the center, turn the measuring tape 90 degrees. Mark the endpoints of a line that measures the width of the hole, plus one inch.

Step 3

Sketch a curve connecting the endpoints of the length and width.
Draw a straight line connecting the endpoints of the width, going though the center point.
Fold the paper in half on the straight line.
Cut along the curved line. The piece you have just cut out will be your pattern.

Step 4

Lay your pattern over the hole to verify that it is the correct size and shape.

Step 5

Lay your pattern over the piece of fabric you’ve choosen to use as a patch.
It is important to choose a fabric that is only slightly heavier than your sweater, such as corduroy or a felted sweater. Anything heavier, such as denim or leather, may cause the sweater to tear.
To felt a sweater, simply put a 100% wool sweater through the washer and dryer. When it comes out, the sweater should be shrunken and have a very tight weave.
Pin your pattern piece onto your patch fabric.
If you double up the patch fabric before you pin you will get two identical patches, one for each side.

Step 6

Using fabric scissors, cut around the pattern piece.
Inspect the patch, going back to clean up any rough edges with scissors.

Step 7

Lay the patch over the hole, positioning it where you would like it to be.

Step 8

Pin the patch into place.
Only pin the patch to the top layer of the sleeve fabric; if you pin and sew them both, you will sew the sleeve shut.

Step 9

Insert a ballpoint needle into your sewing machine.
Each sewing machine is a little bit different, so check your user's manual if you aren't sure how to change your needle.

Step 10

Slide the sleeve over the arm of your sewing machine, just like you’d put the sleeve over your own arm.
You may need to remove the table from your sewing machine to allow the sweater sleeve to slide over the sewing machine arm. Check you sewing machine manual for specific instructions on your machine.