For travelers having an affection with their backpack “How to Sew on a Patch on a Backpack” is quite common because most of the time they are their perfect partner to travel with.

That’s why keeping their backpacks maintained is the most prior thing for travelers. Such travelers develop affection with their backpacks and enhance their attractions by adding various things such as various kinds of key chains, batches, and different patches.

Young travelers collect patches during their travel and sew them on their backpacks to make their backpacks meaningful and attractive. These patches are memories of their traveling.

They sew it on their backpacks and whenever they see it, it reminds them of their adventurous journey. It is their way of collecting their memories and reminding them.

Sewing patching on your backpack is a piece of art and it represents your style. It has become some sort of trend for travelers to put patches and stickers on their backpacks.

People who do not travel much also put Patches on their Backpacks to make them look pretty and colorful.

Seeing a backpack with patches sewed on you can recognize that this backpack belongs to a frequent traveler. They all tend to have backpacks full of stickers to show where they travel and to which places they have been through.

Always choose the best quality backpacks for your patches because if the quality of the backpack is not good you will end up losing your favorite stickers and patches because they will be worn out after some time.

It is also another way of transforming your boring backpack into a funky, colorful, and memories full backpack. It can be according to your taste and style.

If your backpack is boring and plain, you can easily transform your boring backpack into a good-looking bag. You can glam it in your way. It shows your personality whether it’s on your backpack or your jacket.

A perfect way to hide a hole in your backpack is by putting a patch on top. If your bag is old and worn out then simple you can choose your favorite sticker and just attach it to the hole.

For more frequent travelers their backpacks are mostly old. So to make them look presentable and attractive use these patches. It is a great way to extend the use of your backpack and spend few more years with your favorite backpack.

Be creative and artistic with what you do because at the end of the day it’s your backpack and you can style it the way you want.

See Also: How to Make a Backpack Out of Jeans? 11 Easy Steps!

METHODS For How to Sew on a Patch on a Backpack!

Sewing is a technical process, it isn’t that easy which seems to be and quite challenging for beginners. There are three ways to attach a patch or a sticker to a backpack. Every method has its durability and holding capacity.

How to Sew on a Patch on a Backpack

1- IRONING

Ironing is one of the easiest methods to place the patch in place. It feels easy to put a patch on your backpack but there are some techniques and steps you need to follow before doing this. Ironing may seem easy but it should be done with proper steps.

There are 2 types of iron patches. One comes with an activated adhesive glue at the back of the patch. It is like a thin layer of glue.

The other one has a heat-activated adhesive at the back which can be activated by putting it through an iron. The heat of the iron will activate the glue and adhere the patch on the backpack.

1.1 METHODS TO IRON PATCHES OB BACKPACK

Simply follow these steps and you will end up having a backpack that stands very well.

1- KNOW THE FABRIC

Iron-on patches can not be used on all types of fabrics. Before adhering to the patch you should about the fabric of the backpack because not all fabrics have adhering properties or the heat of the iron may easily burn the fabric of the backpack.

For example, denim and soft cotton backpacks are the easiest materials to handle. They are not heat-sensitive.

These fabrics are the most ideal materials for patching. While silk, polyester, and leather backpacks are most tricky to handle. They are heat sensitive and the heat of the iron can change their colors or burn them as well. So you have to be extra conscious while dealing with such fabrics.

2- PLAN THE PLACEMENT OF THE PATCH

After knowing the fabric of the backpack you have to choose the correct placement for your patch. It is more important when you are working with more than one patch but still, it should be considered. Make a mind that where you want your patch and adjust it before ironing it so that you don’t have to doubt it later.

3- SET THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE OF THE IRON

This can be the tricky part, you have to ensure the right temperature for the iron to have a smooth and successful operation, otherwise, you will end up buying the patch as well as the pack back.

You have to adjust the iron between 280 to 305 f temperature. Once you will know about the fabric of the backpack you can easily adjust the iron temperature.

4- PLACE A CLOTH

At this step, you will wonder why you have to do this step but trust me you will thank me later. You can use a towel or a cloth to place it on the patch.

This helps to avoid wrinkled patches. Moreover, it can also protect your backpack from burning if it’s made of heat-sensitive material.

5- IRONING TO STICK IT WITH BACKPACK

Iron the patch on the backpack by moving the iron in a circular motion for 10 to 15 secs. Move the iron in a circular motion for equal distribution of the heat on the patch. Iron for 20 to 25 secs for embroidered patches and lesser for thin patches.

6- IRON ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL

You have to iron on another side as well for proper adhesion for 10 to 15 secs. Ironing on the backside can be problematic but you have to place a towel on the back as well to avoid wrinkles and have a successful patch adhesion with the backpack.

7- ALLOW THE ADHESIVE TO COOL

Everything’s done perfectly. You just have to wait for 60 secs to have a perfect look. This allows the glue to cool down and adhere properly and do you have a backpack with a patch on which enhances its beauty.

This type of adhesion with the iron can not withstand handwashing and long-term use so always prefer to sew it on the backpack.

This will reduce the chances of falling off the patch and stick to it permanently.

2- BONDING

For this technique, you have to get a 100 % silicon sealer from a hardware store and use it to attach the patch to the backpack.

Don’t just use an ordinary regular glues tick because it won’t last you more than 2 hours instead use this silicon sealer especially for nylon patches.

In this method, you don’t have to use any heat or iron. You just have to apply a thin layer of silicone sealer on the patch and stick it to the place you want your sticker to be. Make sure the bag is lying flat on the surface and there are no wrinkles on the surface of the bag.

After applying silicon, place a cloth on it and then place some heavy books on it.

3- SEWING

Sewing is the most appropriate and best method to stick a patch to a bag as it will last you longer and keep your patch and the backpack safe.

However, you have to follow some steps before sewing and you will end up having a perfect-looking patch on your backpack which is a permanent solution for attaching a patch with a fabric bag.

CLEAN YOUR BACKPACK

Make sure to clean your bag before sewing. Wash your bag with soap and water and dry it overnight. Wipe it with rubbing alcohol to make sure that there are no residues left on the surface as it will adhere to the patch more strongly.

3.1 WHICH THREAD TO GO FOR?

The first step is to select a thread with which you will sew. There is two option either you can choose a thread with contrasting color of the patch on with the same matching color of the patch.

It depends on your choice, you can use your creativity to make it look good and like the way you like it. You can never go wrong. Because it’s your backpack, it’s your style.

3.2 RIGHT PLACE TO ATTACH THE PATCH

Always plan where you want to put your patch because sewing a patch on a corner or edge can be challenging. Always make sure if you are using alphabets, numbers, or symbols to use them in the right order.

3.3 SECURE THE PATCH IN PLACE

Before sewing secures the patch in place with the help of a safety pin as it will secure it in one place and won’t move during the whole process of sewing. This method can be used if you are not using the bonding or the ironing process of adhesion.

3.4 MAKE YOUR NEEDLE READY

Take 16 to 20-inch long thread and pass it through the needle eye. Tie one end a knot and the other end remains free. The tied end be slightly longer in size than the other end. Now your needle is ready to work.

3.5 START STITCHING

From the outside of the backpack, start stitching by pushing the needle at the edges of the patch, and then from inside pull the needle and thread the patch. There should be a 1-inch loop visile at the top.

This process can be a bit time-consuming especially when you are a beginner at sewing but you should be careful during this process.

3.6 SECURE THE THREAD

Push the needle and thread from the visible thread by your first stitch and tighten the thread. Now pull the needle and the thread securely.

3.7 STICH THE REST OF THE AREA

Now stitch the remaining patch tightly with a running stitch and secure the patch completely with the bag.

3.8 MAKE OVERHEAD LOOP

When you are done with the stitching procedure, the final step is securing the stitching in place by an overhead loop.

Pass the needle from outside to inside and make a loop with it. Now pass the thread and needle through the loop and tighten. Repeat this step 3 to 4 times for complete security.

3.9 REMOVE THE PIN

Now that your backpack is ready to rock your next trip, you can remove the pin and place it in a safe place, otherwise, it may hurt you.

A few other quick and easy tricks I use:

To keep your needles and pins sharper for longer, sew a ball of steel wool into the middle of your pincushion.

Take nearly used slivers of soap and use them instead of chalk to mark your fabric. Easily comes out when you wash the fabric without as much risk of staining it.

If you have trouble hand-sewing evenly (like I do), draw a couple of lines on the side of your thumb that will be holding the fabric the same distance apart as your stitches should be to help guide your way.

TYPES OF SEWING TECHNIQUES

All kinds, it depends on the application. There various types of home machines like general-purpose, zigzag, sergers, embroidery and heavy-duty just to name a few.

There are many types of industrial machines as well, like a straight stitch, zigzag, double-needle, cylinder, and post. There are machines for sewing canvas and sewing shoes.

There are computer-controlled machines and specialized machines that only do buttons or buttonholes or blind hemmers or servers or cover stitch.

It all depends on what you want to do and how clever or persistent you are. I sewed for my first 30 years using only one machine – a singer featherweight. It’s a lightweight, light-duty machine that I sewed everything with from drapes to upholstery to jeans to everyday clothing as I didn’t know any better. The difference is that specialized machines are more efficient and faster.

WHICH SEWING THREAD IS THE STRONGEST?

General Answer: Nylon, then Polyester. Fluoro-polymer threads made for sewing outdoor sporting equipment can be so strong, resistant to UV and saltwater breaking down that they have a lifetime guarantee. Brand names: Tenara and Sailrite

The right thread for each sewing project deserves more discussion, however.

A bit of science: Threads that are made of a continuous long, extruded fiber are inherently stronger than those made of shorter fibers that are twisted together.

If a continuous fiber can be strong while thin, that would suggest that it was the strongest sewing thread. Monofilament threads, usually nylon, are very thin and strong to the point of not being able to break the thread by pulling hard with two hands in opposite directions.

But the bad news is, the nylon can stretch a bit and melt if ironed on high heat. Not good for sewing together pants! Okay for the hem, though.

Thread weights determine strength as well. For example, a polyester Button thread is thicker and much stronger than an all-purpose spun polyester thread.

It is thicker and may not be necessary or practical to use in a sewing machine to sew up a garment, however.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Now that you have learned different methods to fix a patch you can choose whatever method you like. Sewing a patch can be tricky but be patient, practice will make you perfect.

Remember to play with colors and designs as you like, because this backpack is your travel partner and it should be according to your liking.

You can always be creative with it, use different pictures and stickers and sew them with different contrasting or parking thread and make them pop.