The Art of Custom Applique Patches
Applique comes from the French word "appliquer", meaning to put on or apply. Custom applique patches are crafted by cutting solid pattern shapes out of base fabrics (such as felt, twill, leatherette, or jersey material) and stitching them onto a primary patch base with heavy satin embroidered borders.
Why Choose Applique for Large Patches?
When creating large oversized patches (like 8 to 15 inch back patches for motorcycle jackets, varsity letterman coats, or oversized hoodies), 100% full thread embroidery becomes extremely heavy, stiff, and expensive. Applique replaces dense thread fills with soft fabric panels, keeping the patch lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective while preserving a classic vintage look.
Popular Applique Base Fabrics
- Heavy Wool Felt: Gives an iconic vintage collegiate aesthetic.
- Cotton Canvas & Twill: Crisp, durable base available in dozens of standard colors.
- Distressed Denim: Perfect for urban streetwear fashion lines.