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You grab your favourite jacket and notice a tear, worn patch, or hole that definitely wasn’t there before. Before you relegate it to the back of the wardrobe (or worse, the bin), take a breath. Patching is one of the most durable and satisfying repairs you can do at home. It’s practical, it extends the life of your jacket, and if you opt for a visible contrast, it can even add a bit of personality. You don’t need a sewing machine. Just a few simple tools and a bit of patience.
What You’ll Need
- Ruler
- Chalk
- Small scissors
- Fabric scissors
- Needle
- Thread (matching or contrasting – your choice)
- Pins
Step 1: Measure your Patch
Start by deciding how big your patch needs to be. Use the jacket itself to measure the damaged area and allow enough coverage to fully reinforce it.
Lightly mark the four corners with chalk so you can position it accurately later.
Now, draw your square or rectangle about 5mm–1cm in from the fabric edge. Take your time here, measuring carefully so your angles are straight and your lines aren’t wonky. A neat shape makes all the difference to the final finish.
Step 2: Cut and Prepare
Cut the patch out, leaving 5mm–1cm of fabric outside your chalk line. This extra allowance will fold under to give you clean edges.
Next comes scoring. Place your patch on a surface you don’t mind lightly marking. Using your ruler, press firmly along one chalk line and run your small scissors (or alternative scoring tool) along the edge. Pressing firmly helps prevent snagging and gives you a clean fold line.
Repeat this on all four sides.
Test-fold the edges down to check they sit flat. If they resist, score a little more firmly until they fold neatly.
Step 3: Pin it in Place
Position your patch over the damaged area, using your chalk corner markings as a guide.
Pin it securely and make sure you don’t catch the jacket lining underneath. This is important. You only want to stitch through the outer layer.
If any edges are sticking out unevenly, trim them down before stitching.
Step 4: Thread and Anchor
Cut about 20cm of thread (longer may seem efficient, but it’s a fast track to tangles.)
Thread your needle and start a few centimetres away from the patch. Bring your needle up at one corner of where the patch will sit and tie a small knot in the fabric to anchor your thread.
Step 5: Stitch & Lock it Off
Once you’ve stitched all the way around, tie off your thread securely with a small knot and trim any excess.
If you’d like an extra polished finish, you can lightly press the patch with a cool iron (always check your jacket’s care label first to make sure it can handle the heat).
And you’re done!
That’s it! Your jacket is reinforced, repaired, and ready for many more outings.
Patching isn’t just about fixing damage. It’s about strengthening the areas that get the most wear and making your clothes last longer. Whether you go tonal for a subtle repair or choose a contrasting thread for a visible mend, you’ve just extended the life of your piece.
Every repair keeps clothing in circulation for longer and that’s a small but powerful step towards more mindful fashion.
Want to see it in action? Head to our YouTube for a step-by-step video walkthrough.
And if you’d rather shop jackets that have already had a little TLC, explore our collection of pre-loved pieces ready for their next chapter.
Got questions about repairs? Drop us an email at hello@reskinned.clothing – we’re always happy to help.