How to Make Chenille Patches
Where embroidered patches are thread patches named after the technique used to create them, chenille patches have more in common with PVC patches in the sense that they take their name from the material used to create them. Polyvinyl chloride is a flexible, rubber-like material, but chenille is a fabric made of silk and combined with a natural fiber like cotton or wool. This creates a yarn with a very unique texture compared to that of thread.
The process to make chenille patches is also different from the process of making patches of other types. For starters, chenille patches are often made on felt backgrounds as opposed to the fabric mesh used for woven patches. Another key difference is in the way the chenille is threaded into the patch itself. Unlike traditional sewing and embroidery methods, the chenille yarn needs to be applied with a special chenille patch machine that feeds the yarn up through the bottom of the patch. This creates the characteristic fuzzy feel of the patches instead of having the thread lay flat.
Given the differences in the way these unique patches are made and the special materials needed to complete these projects, chenille patches are slightly more expensive than the other patch types we offer. For example, a 3” embroidered patch with 75% thread coverage is likely to cost $1.94 each for an order of 100. The exact same patch created in chenille will start at $5.95 each for the same order of 100.
Hands down, the most common use for these kinds of patches is for varsity letters. Chenille letter patches have been the standard for school awards for decades at this point. While they began as a special recognition for athletes, chenille award letters have spread into just about every corner of academia. Schools all over create custom chenille letters in recognition of everything from academic excellence to skill in the arts. And of course, your standard chenille football patches haven’t gone anywhere.
However, even school patches make use of chenille for more than just varsity jackets. Chenille mascot patches and school uniform patches are also popular options. As for personal use, these patches also make for an eye-catching accessory to any article of clothing or bookbag. This is why a lot of high profile gift shops for theme parks and sporting venues order chenille patches featuring their characters and logos for fans to purchase. And in colleges and universities around the world, Greek letter chenille patches are a common sight on the jackets and sweaters of fraternity and sorority members.
In the end, there’s no denying the appeal of these custom patches for school uniforms and other, more general, uses within academic circles. But long gone are the days when the letterman jacket patch is simply a sign of skill on the gridiron.
Ordering Custom Chenille Patches
All of the custom patches ordered from Signature Patches have access to the same attachment options. If you’re looking to make your patches into a permanent addition to any accessory, consider getting an iron on backing for your order. If a more temporary connection is more your thing, we also offer hook and loop backing and even safety pin and magnetic attachment options.
However, before you choose the appropriate backing for your custom chenille patches, you have to get your order started. Luckily, getting the ball rolling on a new order couldn’t be easier. Simply fill out the quote request form found anywhere on our site, send us your general ideas and any artwork or images you have for your design, and our artists will get a proof of artwork ready for your approval in under 24 business hours.
If you’re ready to get started on your order of custom patches, get in touch with us today and see for yourself why Signature Patches is the number one custom patch retailer online.
Working With the Best Custom Patch Maker Online
Custom chenille patches take a little longer to make than some of our more popular patch types. On average, to get your chenille patch just right will take seven days for the creation of the initial sample. Once the sample is approved for full production, roughly 10 days are needed to complete an order of fewer than 1,000 patches. All of this combines for a 17-day turnaround time on these types of patches.
That’s a little longer than our industry-leading 14-day turnaround for all other types of patches, but it comes with the same 100% quality guarantee that’s standard on all of our orders. That’s because here at Signature Patches, we’re dedicated to bringing your designs to life as accurately as possible.
Give us a call, shoot us an email or fill out one of our quote request forms on our website today to get started on your order.
