How to Make Patches from Recycled Jeans

Hi creative friends, it's Natalie from Doodlecraft here to teach you how to make patches from denim scraps!  

This is a fun upcycled craft that you can make from an old pair of jeans. You don't even need a whole pair! 

It's a great way to use up any scraps leftover from a project you made with recycled jeans like Carissa's really popular Farm Girl Apron from old jeans project or this upcycled denim crown project.

It's really easy to make denim patches using Dimensional Fabric paint (some might call it puffy paint).  

These colorful patches are perfect for adding embellishments to a tote or backpack. They are a fun craft to do with older kids or even as a summer camp craft.  

I have rainbows, unicorns, diamonds, flowers and narwhal patches featured here, but get as creative as you like--the sky is the limit!

How to Make Patches from Recycled Jeans or Fabric Scraps

Supplies 

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• Dimensional Fabric Paint
• Scraps of denim fabric
• Embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle  
• Fabric glue (for a no-sew option)
• Tote or backpack to decorate

Directions

How to Make Patches Step 1: Paint a Rainbow! 

Dimensional fabric paints are so simple to use.

The bottle comes to a perfect tip, ideal for detail.

Squeeze out the paint on the denim fabric scrap.

Start painting a rainbow by using the red arch first...then pipe on the orange, yellow, green and blue.  Add fluffy clouds at the bases of each arch.

How to Make Patches Step 2: Paint a Unicorn!

Use the white dimensional paint to paint a simple silhouette of a horse.

Add a gold horn on the top of the head.

 Paint over the mane with different paint colors, like pink and blue.

How to Make Patches Step 3: Paint a Narwhal! 

Use the blue dimensional paint to draw a simple whale outline.

 Use the silver paint to add a horn on the top of the whale.

How to Make Patches Step 4: Dry and Cut!

Set the denim scraps aside and let all the paint dry completely.

Once the paint is dry, cut out each shape, leaving a margin of denim around the outter edge for stitching the patches on. (if you are using fabric glue to attach the patches, you can decide whether or not you want to leave a border)

How to Make Patches Step 5: How to attach the patches

If you want to sew your patches on, cut a 24 inch length of embroidery floss.

Split the embroidery floss into just a couple strands.

Thread the needle and tie the ends in a knot.

Use the needle and thread to stitch around each patch onto a tote or backpack.

If using fabric glue for a no-sew option, apply some to the back of each patch and adhere to the bag.

Sew stitches or crosses, using colored embroidery floss to add a fun flair.

Simple as that!

About the Author:

Natalie Shaw is a Craft/DIY blogger at Doodle Craft. She loves sci-fi, fantasy and video game geekery and that comes out in many of her projects. She posts budget conscious DIY’s, crafts, jewelry, kid friendly projects, upcycled treasures and other fun on her blog 5 days a week.You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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