Tutorial: Leather elbow patches in fun shapes
Christie from Lemon Squeezy Home shows how you can personalize a child’s sweatshirt or jacket by adding custom leather elbow patches. You could go with the standard ovals or rounded edge rectangles, but I’d suggest going a little crazy with it and making a patch in a fun shape. Any simple shape will work! Check out her examples for inspiration.
There’s something deeply satisfying about taking a perfectly fine sweatshirt and making it better. Not trendier. Not fussier. Just more intentional. Leather elbow patches do exactly that. They add structure, texture, and that slightly academic, slightly handmade look that turns a basic sweatshirt into something you actually reach for.
This is one of those projects I love because it’s quick, forgiving, and doesn’t require buying anything fancy. In fact, the best leather for elbow patches often comes from things you already own—old handbags, belts, or that jacket you’ve been meaning to part with for years.
If you can sew a straight line, you can do this. And if you can’t? You’ll still probably manage just fine.
Click below for her tutorial:
Elbow Patches: Tutorial, by Lemon Squeezy Home
More Patch Ideas You’ll Love
If you’re sewing patches for style as well as repair, these tutorials are great next steps:
- How to Add Elbow Patches to a Little Boy’s T-Shirt
Perfect for growing kids who always wear through sleeves first. This guide shows how to reinforce elbows on lightweight knits without restricting movement or making the shirt uncomfortable.
