DIY: How to Create and Hand Sew a Back Patch From an Old Band T-Shirt

Have an old, vintage band t-shirt that doesn’t fit anymore, or has too many holes to wear? Don’t throw it away! Upcycling an old graphic tee into a large back patch is a classic punk-rock and streetwear tradition. It’s the perfect way to breathe new life into a plain denim jacket and show off your musical taste.

We absolutely love the raw, handmade aesthetic of a DIY t-shirt patch. It’s perfect for one-off personal projects! (Note: If you are looking for something more rigid, weather-resistant, or need professionally digitized designs for a brand, motorcycle club, or uniform, we specialize in manufacturing professional-grade patches at Los Angeles Patch Co..)

But for preserving that beloved, worn-in band tee? You can't beat this classic hand-sewn method. Let’s get started!

1. An old graphic t-shirt (we’re using a classic "The Smiths" tee)
2. A denim jacket
3. Fabric scissors
4. Sewing pins
5. A hand-sewing needle (make sure it's thick enough to pierce denim)
6. Heavy-duty thread or embroidery floss (we used green for a cool contrasting look)

1. Lay your t-shirt completely flat on a smooth, hard surface.
2. Identify exactly how much of the graphic you want to feature on your jacket.
3. Take your fabric scissors and carefully cut a rough square or rectangle around the design.
4. Important: Do not cut right up to the edge of the graphic! Leave about a 1-inch to 1.5-inch border of blank fabric all the way around. You will need this extra fabric for the next step.

Because t-shirts are made of jersey knit fabric, the raw edges will roll up and eventually fray if you just sew them down flat. To get a clean, professional-looking rectangle:

1. Lay your cut-out graphic face down on your table.
2. Fold the raw edges inward by about half an inch to create a clean "hem."
3. Pay special attention to the corners. Fold them in neatly (like wrapping a present) so you don't have bulky, pointed corners.
4. Place sewing pins all the way around the perimeter to hold the folded edges firmly in place.

1. Lay your denim jacket flat on your workspace, back side facing up. Smooth out any wrinkles.
2. Take your prepared, pinned patch and place it on the back of the jacket.
3. Usually, the best placement is centered right between the back shoulder seams.
4. Once you are happy with the placement, carefully remove the pins from the patch one by one and re-pin them directly through the denim jacket. Use plenty of pins! You want the patch to lay completely flat against the denim without any sagging or shifting while you sew.

1. Cut a long length of your heavy-duty thread or embroidery floss. We chose a bright green thread to add a pop of color that matches the text on the shirt!
2. Thread your needle and tie a sturdy double knot at the end.
3. Push the needle from the inside of the jacket out through the edge of the patch, so your knot is hidden inside the jacket.
4. Use a whip stitch (also known as an overcast stitch) to attach the patch. To do this, simply loop the thread over the folded edge of the t-shirt patch and push the needle back through the denim, coming up again through the patch.
5. Continue this looping stitch all the way around the perimeter. Keep your stitches relatively close together and even to ensure the patch is secure.
6. (Tip: Denim is thick! If your fingers get sore pushing the needle through, use a metal thimble.)

1. Once you have stitched all the way around, push your needle to the inside of the jacket one last time.
2. Tie a secure knot on the inside and snip off the excess thread.
3. Remove any remaining pins.

That’s it! You’ve successfully upcycled an old favorite t-shirt into a one-of-a-kind custom battle jacket. Throw it on, pair it with some extra flair (like enamel pins or embroidered patches), and show off your handiwork.