A custom patch consists of 4 elements: fabric, embroidery, border and backing. Regarding to the role of fabric in a custom patch, it is the BASE on which the threads are stitched.
We may also have to consider the types and usages of fabric when it comes to different types of custom patches. Overall, felt and twill are the mostly commonly used fabric for patch base.
WHAT FABRIC ARE REGULARLY USED FOR CUSTOM PATCHES?
Felt
Felt is a type of material that consists of textile fibers condensed and pressed together.
Why choose felt for your custom patch base fabric?
● The edges don’t fray like other fabrics because of its sturdy quality.
● It matches well with chenille patches with their similar fluffy feature.
● A wide variety of colors to match with the patch.
● It requires less edge finishing
What types of patches are the best to have felt as base fabric?
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Embroidery patches
Felt is used as the base of bear face on which the ears, eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth are embroidered stitches. -
Chenille Patch
Chenille patch usually goes with felt as the basic fabric because of their fluffy matching feature.
What types of borders are the best for felt ?
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Heat-cut Border
The frame trimmed with heat-cut improves the quality of patch. -
Laser-cut border
Laser-cut has goods and bads. It doesn’t’ make the patch look that good in terms of simple shape design.
Twill
Twill is a type of fabric marked by its diagonal weave pattern which is created by weaving warp and weft threads in a specific way, which gives the fabric a distinctive and durable texture.
Why twill is chosen to be the base fabric for your patch?
● A wide range of colors to be used for the patch.
● It has a sealed edge and can be ironed or sewn onto other materials.
● A sturdy woven fabric that tends to product the best quality patches.
● It can drape well and endure tearing due to their sturdy backing material.
What types of patches are the best to have twill as base fabric?
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Embroidered patch
The sturdy twill is resistant to tearing that makes it ideal as the base fabric on which the embroidered stitches are perfectly made. -
Printed Patch
The patch twill made from polyester is able to withstand heat and pressure that is great for printed patch made by dye sublimation.
What types of borders are the best for twill?
Twill has very durable sealed edges that are good for all types of borders such as heat-cut, merrow and laser-cut.
Besides felt and twill, there are other fabric options for the patch base. They are not regularly used, but still open for any design that may need. Let’s take a look of the following types of fabric.
Velvet
Velvet is a soft, luxurious fabric that is characterized by a dense pile of evenly cut fibers that have a smooth nap. It has a beautiful drape and a unique soft and shiny appearance.
Satin
Satin is a type of fabric weave that produces a glossy, smooth or lustrous material, typically with a glossy top surface.
Suede
Suede is a type of leather made from the underside of the animal skin, giving it a soft surface. It’s softer and thinner, but not as strong as traditional leather.
Holographic
Holographic is a special kind of sparkly or flashy fabric with printed images or patterns like 3D images.
Reflective
Reflective is a fabric made of a fluorescent material which is embedded with tiny glass beads or other reflective elements that bounce back light, making it highly visible in low-light conditions.