Wearable Quilt Patch

Sep 26

Transform your quilting skills into fashion with Wearable Quilt Patch. Learn how to create unique quilted blocks that can be added to clothing, bags, and accessories, blending your love for quilting with wearable art. I’ll cover design, construction, and application techniques, allowing you to showcase your creativity in a whole new way. Perfect for quilters looking to explore the intersection of quilting and fashion.

Supplies

Jean Jacket, Sweater, Sweatshirt, Long sleeve, or T-shirt (any size or fit you prefer)
Pieced quilt block (1" larger on each side than sewn surface area or jean jacket seams)
Fusible Cotton Batting (adhesive on one side, about size of quilt block)
Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 (a double-stick fusible web)

(1) Size of Quilt Block and (4) ¼" strips x width of block border

Thread (for quilting and sewing)
- Favorites are Aurifil 50wt, 12wt, 8wt, and Floss
Sewing Machine (with walking foot or dual feed foot)
Scissors and Rotary Cutter
Cardstock or Tracing Paper (for creating a template)

**Aurifil thread** colors and weights from top to down: 2311 12wt, 4658 50wt, 2215 8wt, 2920 floss, and 1147 12 wt

Visual Learners

video coming soon… stay tuned

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Step-by-Step: Wearable Quilt Patch

Part I: Preparation

Decide which clothing item you’ll add your quilting piece to. If you’re using a jean jacket, I like the look when the block sits within the jacket’s seam lines, so choose a jacket with a good, flat panel to work with.
Have a pieced block or patch ready. Make sure it’s at least 1" larger on each side than the area you plan to cover (this gives trimming and turn-under room).

Part II: Create Template + Trim Quilt Block

This step ensures the patch fits neatly into the jacket’s seams. If you’re placing the block on a flat area (like a long-sleeve tee) and not setting it into seams, you can skip this section.

Place cardstock over the target area and trace the seam lines to create a template of the opening.
If one sheet isn’t big enough, tape sheets together. Perfection isn’t required—that’s why we leave extra and trim later.
Cut the cardstock to size with regular scissors.
Center your quilt-block design, then—using a quilting ruler and rotary cutter—trim the block so it’s ½" larger on each side than the template. (Err on the side of leaving extra; you can always trim again.)

Part III: Quilt It

Select thread, prep your machine, and gather supplies.
Mark quilting lines on the block.
Fuse cotton batting to the back and press to adhere. Tip: to reduce bulk at the edges, cut the batting ¼"–½" smaller than the block on all sides.
Since the block is already trimmed, avoid heavy quilting right up to the raw edge.
Quilt by machine, by hand, or a mix and have fun.
Trim or bury any stray threads.

Part IV: Attach Quilt Block to Clothing

Press a ½" turn-under on all four edges of the block (or the amount of your extra). Use the template to confirm the finished size.
Test-fit the block in the jacket opening and adjust as needed—garment seams aren’t always perfectly straight.
Use ¼" fusible tape or narrow Steam-A-Seam 2 strips to hold the folded edges in place.
Fuse quilt block to jean jacket (or clothing) with Lite Steam-A-Seam 2:
- Trace the patch shape onto the paper side and cut the adhesive slightly smaller than the shape.
- Peel one paper liner and adhere the web to the back of the patch (batting side).
- Peel the second paper, position the patch on the jacket (it’s pressure-sensitive and repositionable), cover with a pressing cloth, and fuse with a hot iron per package directions. Let cool.
Topstitch around the patch edge with matching thread, using a walking or dual-feed foot and a 2.2 stitch length.

Want more? I offer Wearable Quilt Patch as a workshop for guilds or quilt groups. Click here to learn more.

Want to support my work and try Aurifil Floss?
🧵 Shop through my affiliate link here.

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