How to Sew a Patch on a Hat: 4 easy ways

If you are wondering how to sew a patch on a hat, you are in the right place. We are going to show you how to do it on a baseball cap in just a few steps using your sewing machine. It definitely isn’t complex or complicated, and it’s the same way whether you use iron-on patches or an embroidered patch you want on a hat.  Hat patches are easy to do with a few supplies and your sewing machine. 

How Do You Sew A Patch Onto A Hat With A Sewing Machine?

Grab your supplies

• Leather patch with your logo
• Hat (trucker’s hat works well)
• Sewing machine
• Heavy duty sewing machine needles
• Heavy-duty needle (hand stitch)
• Upholstery thread
• Scissors
• Pins
• Safety Pins
• Thimble (optional)
• Fabric Marker
• Glue (fabric)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

First, gather all the necessary materials and prepare your workspace. Make sure you have adequate lighting, a flat surface to work on, and your sewing machine (if using).

How to Sew a Patch On a Hat by Hand Sewing

1. the first thing you need to do is mark the spot you want the patch to go by either putting the hat on your head or your customer’s head (I use my fabric marker that disappears with heat to mark it)
2. Use a little glue to hold the patch in place. Place the glue on the back of the patch to hold it in place
3. Thread your needle with a heavier thread (24″ thread works well) and tie a knot on the end of the thread. Don’t forget to match your thread color with the border of your patch 
4. To protect your fingers during the sewing process, place a thimble to your middle finger on your left hand if you are right-handed. For lefties, this would be the middle finger on the left hand. Make sure and keep it on during the entire stitching process. 
5. Push your needle through the back of your baseball hat and patch and do a running stitch along the border of your hat.
6. Finally, trim any loose threads or excess fabric from the hat, and admire your handiwork! You can enjoy wearing it with pride. 

 How to Sew a Patch On a Hat with your Sewing Machine

• If you choose sewing instead, to begin, mark the spot you want the patch to go by either putting the hat on your head or your customer’s head (I use my fabric marker that disappears with heat to mark it)
• Use a little glue to hold the patch in place in the center of the patch
• Use a heavy-duty needle and stitch around your patch on the border edge. Make sure and match the color of thread with the color of the border of the patch, so it doesn’t stand out. 
• You want to go around the patch slowly, making sure you back stitch when you start and finish.  You can also do a narrow zigzag stitch if you love that look. 
• As you sew, make sure to keep the stitches tight and secure, and be careful not to sew through the hat’s brim. Once you’ve sewn around the entire patch,  cut the thread and finish the stitching (if using a sewing machine).

Finally, trim any loose threads or excess fabric from the hat, and admire your handiwork! Whether you chose to hand sew or use a sewing machine, your patch is now securely attached to your hat, and you can enjoy wearing it with pride.

Create Your Own Patches For Your Hats

There are several companies that will create custom logo patches to advertise your business. Ask in a local Facebook group or search Custom patches on Google. The perfect patch is out there waiting to be created for you. One company to check out is American Patch Today. They have been in business for years and may even do a free sample for you.

American Patch is your best bet if you’re looking for high-quality patches and excellent customer support. Every order comes with a free sample and free shipping inside the United States and of course a free quote for patches depending on your needs.

How to sew a patch on a hat that is leather

Sewing a leather patch on a hat using a sewing machine can be a quicker and more efficient method. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Materials you’ll need:

• Leather patch
• Hat
• Sewing machine
• Heavy duty sewing machine needles
• Heavy-duty needle
• Upholstery thread
• Scissors
• Pins
• Thimble (optional)
• Fabric Marker
• Glue
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Step 1: Choose a leather patch that fits your hat and matches your personal style. You can purchase leather patches at craft stores or online.

Step 2: Pin the leather patch onto the hat. Use the pins to secure the patch in place, making sure it’s centered and straight.

Step 3: Thread your sewing machine with a heavy-duty needle and upholstery thread that matches the color of the leather patch. Set your machine to a heavy-duty or leather sewing mode.

Step 4: Place the hat and patch under the sewing machine foot, with the patch facing up and the hat flat on the machine’s surface.

Step 5: Slowly begin sewing around the edges of the patch, starting at the top and working your way around. Use a straight stitch, being careful not to sew through the hat’s brim.

Step 6: If the hat is too thick to sew easily, use a thimble to protect your finger while pushing the needle through the leather and the hat.

Step 7: Sew around the edges of the patch until it’s completely attached to the hat. Make sure the stitches are tight and secure thus giving it a professional finish.

Step 8: Cut any loose thread or excess fabric from the hat.

Other ways to attach patches

Iron on patches

If an embroidered patch isn’t your preference, you can save time and effort by using iron-on patches instead. However, it’s not advisable to use them on hats made of delicate materials like knit cap that may be susceptible to heat damage, even if they’re securely attached.

To apply an iron-on patch, place it onto a flat, heat-resistant surface over the cap of the hat. Ensure that the steam setting on your iron is turned off by setting it to the highest temperature.

Next, place a towel over the patch and press a hot iron onto it for about 10 seconds. After removing the iron and towel, let the patch cool completely. This is the easiest way to iron on patches. 

In order to preserve the life of the patch, avoid washing the hat in hot water or frequently cleaning it. Doing this will ensure your hat lasts a long time. 

How to sew a patch on a hat:  Baseball Cap

The sewing machine’s cap driver or a cap backing can be used to sew a patch on a baseball cap. The best way is  using the embroidery machine, use underlay stitches  to smooth out the cap before sewing the patch on. You’ll need titanium-coated sewing machine needles for the caps, so be sure to read our sewing machine needle guide to learn the best needles for projects like this. 

You can also apply patches to:

• Leather jacket
• trucker hats
• Military uniform
• Leather pieces
• Pair of Jeans
• Sleeved shirts

You want to avoid fragile materials and washable glue when attaching patches. So gather supplies and create a fun project that shows off your personal preference or brand awareness.  Patch hats also make a great gift and sell well at craft fairs. 

Other Sewing tutorials

We love showing you easy projects to make. A couple of quick recommendations are:

• Hot pad
• Tote bag