Custom Felt Patches: Beginner's Tips & Techniques

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 5 min read

Creating your own unique, custom felt patches can be an exciting skill to learn. This crafty endeavor allows you to add personal flair to your garments, accessories, or home decor items. To start on this journey of making felt patches, understanding the main component—felt—is an important step.

1. Get Familiar With Felt Material

Felt is a versatile material, appreciated for its soft texture and easy handling. As a beginner, getting acquainted with its different types, knowing how to identify quality felt, and learning how to care for it will set a strong foundation for your felt patches project.

Types of Felt

There are two main types of felt you'll come across—synthetic and wool. Synthetic felt, made from man-made fibers, is cheaper and comes in a wider variety of colors. Wool felt, on the other hand, is a bit pricier but offers a richer texture and durability. For your first few felt patches, synthetic felt can be a practical choice. As you get more comfortable, you can experiment with wool felt for a more premium feel.

How to Identify Quality Felt

When selecting felt for your patches, look for a smooth, even texture. Quality felt should not have any thin spots or holes. You should also check the fiber content. Remember, the higher the wool content, the higher the quality. Keep in mind, though, that higher-quality felt will be more expensive, but it will give your patches a more refined look.

Care for Your Felt

Proper care can help your felt—and consequently, your patches—last longer. Always store your felt in a dry, cool place to prevent it from getting musty. If your felt gets dirty, it's best to spot clean it with a damp cloth. For wool felt, avoid washing in hot water as it can cause the material to shrink.

Getting familiar with felt material is your first big step in the journey of creating custom felt patches. Up next, we'll discuss how to choose the right tools for your project.

2. Choose the Right Tools

Moving forward, it's time to gather the tools you'll need for your felt patches project. Having the right tools not only makes the process easier but also helps in achieving a more polished look for your patches.

Needle Types

The needle is your main tool in this craft. For most felt patch projects, a sharp, mid-sized embroidery needle works best. It's large enough to handle thicker threads but still small enough to create neat stitches. If you're working with thicker wool felt, consider using a larger needle.

Thread Selection

The thread you choose can have a big impact on the final appearance of your felt patches. For a subtle look, go for thread that matches your felt. If you want your stitching to stand out, choose a contrasting color. Embroidery threads are a popular choice due to their thickness and wide color range.

Cutting Tools

Sharp scissors are a must for cutting felt. A pair of fabric scissors can give you smooth, clean cuts. For intricate designs, small embroidery scissors may be more manageable. Remember, the sharper your scissors, the easier and cleaner your cuts will be.

Now that you've got your felt and your tools, you're all ready to start designing your felt patches. Let's dive into that next.

3. Design Your Patch

With your tools at the ready, it's time to bring your vision for your felt patches to life. Crafting a design can seem daunting, but with a bit of planning and a dash of creativity, you'll have a design you'll be proud to show off.

Drawing the Design

Grab a pen and paper, and let's sketch out your patch design. This will serve as your blueprint for your felt patch. When sketching, remember to keep it simple. Bold and simple designs often translate best into felt patches. Don't worry about making it perfect — this sketch is just a guide.

Choosing Colors

Color can bring your design alive. When selecting colors, consider the mood you want to evoke with your felt patches. Warm colors like reds and oranges can create an energetic feel, while cool colors like blues and greens can feel calming. Don't forget about neutrals — they can add balance to your design.

Size and Shape Considerations

The size and shape of your patch can influence its overall impact. Large patches can be eye-catching, but remember they'll also take longer to create. As for shape, the sky's the limit. Circles, squares, or even an outline of your favorite animal — your felt patch can be whatever you want it to be.

Now that you have your design sorted, it's time to bring it to life. Let's see how to prepare and cut your felt in the next section.

4. Prepare and Cut the Felt

Now that you've designed your felt patch, it's time to roll up your sleeves and start working with the felt. Preparing and cutting your felt properly can make the stitching process smoother and your final patch more polished.

How to Prepare

Before you dive in with your scissors, you'll need to prepare your felt. Start by laying out your felt on a flat surface. Use a fabric marker to lightly trace your design onto the felt. Remember to leave some space around the edges to allow for stitching.

Cutting Techniques

When it comes to cutting your felt patches, a sharp pair of fabric scissors can be your best friend. Cut slowly and carefully along the lines you've drawn. If your design has any intricate details, consider using a smaller pair of scissors for better control.

Mistakes to Avoid

Even the most experienced felt patch makers make mistakes. Here are a couple to avoid: Don't rush your cutting. Haste often leads to mistakes. Also, avoid pulling on the felt as you cut. This can distort the shape of your patch.

Now that your felt is cut and ready, it's time to move on to the exciting part — stitching your patch together. Let's get to it!

5. Stitching the Patch

With your felt patches prepared and cut, it's time to start stitching. This stage can truly bring your felt patches to life, so let's get started!

Basic Stitching Techniques

For beginners, the running stitch is a great place to start. It's simple and versatile. To do a running stitch, you'll start at one end of your design and make a series of small stitches across the length of the felt. Remember to keep your stitches even and consistent for the best results.

Securing the Thread

Securing your thread properly is key to ensuring your felt patches don't unravel. Start by threading your needle and knotting the end of the thread. As you finish a line of stitches, make a small knot on the backside of the felt to secure your thread. This might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference in the durability of your patch.

Finishing Touches

Once you've finished stitching, give your felt patch a good once-over. Trim any loose threads and clean up any stray bits of felt. These finishing touches can give your felt patches a professional look.

And there you have it! You've just created your very own felt patch. The process may seem a bit complex at first, but with practice, you'll be creating beautiful felt patches in no time. Happy crafting!

If you enjoyed learning about custom felt patches and want to dive deeper into the world of textile art, don't miss the workshop 'Making Skin Colours With Paint' by David Shepherd. This workshop will teach you valuable techniques for creating realistic skin tones in your textile artwork, elevating your skills to the next level.