Patches
Embroidered patches stitched from original artwork. Thread gives a design weight and texture that print cannot, and a patch outlives the garment it starts on — it can be moved to the next jacket.
Choosing the right one
Iron-on or sew-on
An iron-on patch carries a heat-activated adhesive film on the back. It is quick, and it holds well on cotton, denim and canvas. It is not the right choice for nylon, waterproof shells, leather or anything with a coating — the heat needed to melt the film will damage the fabric first. A sew-on patch has a plain backing and works on anything a needle will pass through.
Even on an iron-on patch, a few stitches around the edge are worth the trouble on a garment that gets washed often. Heat-set adhesive loosens over repeated wash cycles; thread does not.
Border
A merrowed border is the thick, rolled overlock edge you see on classic round and shield patches — it suits simple outlines. A laser-cut or satin-stitched edge follows an irregular shape closely, which is what an odd silhouette needs.
Placement
Left chest takes roughly 7–9 cm. A back panel carries 20 cm or more. Hat fronts are limited by the crown seam, usually under 7 cm tall. Lay the patch on the garment and step back before committing — adhesive and stitching are both hard to undo without leaving a mark.
Care
Turn the garment inside out, wash cold, and skip the tumble dryer where you can. Heat is what loosens backing and fades thread.