Repair a worn-out sweater or other knit garment by sewing a pretty patch onto it. You could simply mend a hole in the garment, but adding a patch gives it a second life, by changing the look of the sweater slightly. You do not have to be an expert seamstress to sew a patch. This project is great even for first time sewers. Iron-on adhesive does most of the work of holding the patch in place.

  • Repair a worn-out sweater or other knit garment by sewing a pretty patch onto it.
  • You could simply mend a hole in the garment, but adding a patch gives it a second life, by changing the look of the sweater slightly.

Determine where on the knitted object you want to sew the patch. You can patch a garment to cover a hole or add a patch to dress up a tired garment. If you are using a pre-made patch, place it right side up on one side of the fusible adhesive. Make sure you remove the paper backing from the adhesive first. Iron the patch to the adhesive. Cut the adhesive to fit the size of the patch. You may want to place a lightweight cloth napkin between the patch and the iron, so that you do not scorch the patch.

If you are cutting a patch out of fabric, choose a shape that suits the knit garment, such as a circle, star or square, and cut the fabric into that shape. Remove the paper backing from one side of the adhesive and place the fabric patch right side up on the adhesive. Iron over the fabric to adhere it to the adhesive. Place a lightweight napkin between the iron and the fabric to protect the patch.

Peel the paper off the second side of the adhesive and position the patch on top of the knitwear or sweater. Iron the patch to secure it place, placing a lightweight napkin in between to protect it. Iron on both the top side of the patch and the underside for extra security in placing the patch.

  • If you are cutting a patch out of fabric, choose a shape that suits the knit garment, such as a circle, star or square, and cut the fabric into that shape.
  • Peel the paper off the second side of the adhesive and position the patch on top of the knitwear or sweater.

Thread your sewing machine. Position the patched area under the needle of your sewing machine, and lower the needle and the presser foot. Stitch around the patch. You can also stitch across the patch to add some details to it if you would like.

Hand embroider around the edge of the patch if you would like to add a bit of embellishment to the perimeter. A blanket stitch is a suitable stitch to use around the edge.

Thread your embroidery needle, and push the needle and thread through to the front of the patch. You will be making a diagonal stitch, so push the needle back through the patch about 1/4-inch above where you came out and slightly to the right. Push the needle back out to the front of the patch. Catch the thread with your needle so that the first stitch forms an "L" shape. Once again, push your needle through to the back of the patch, about 1/4-inch above the first stitch and a bit to the right. Repeat until you have stitched all the way around the patch edge.

  • Thread your sewing machine.
  • Catch the thread with your needle so that the first stitch forms an "L" shape.

If your sewing machine has fancy stitch options, such as blanket stitch, you can also machine stitch around the patch edge.