Vintage Patches

Our huge range of vintage patches has been sourced from the USA and Canada. Each embroidered vintage patch is from the 1980s/1990s and is 100% genuine (as with everything else across our website.)

Our curated collection of vintage patches has been sourced and handpicked by someone from Team Maple.

If you are looking for a vintage patch to sew onto your favourite piece of clothing, whether it be a vintage cap, jacket or accessory, Team Maple has you covered.

A vintage patch is the perfect gift or souvenir, at an affordable price. When it comes to vintage patches, we love the uniqueness of each one. You can be sure that you'll not see someone else with the same patch walking down the street.

If you are looking for a specific vintage patch (a particular niche, brand or style) please get in contact with us, as we have thousands available at our HQ.

Last thing from us! If you are interested in purchasing a curated selection of patches (eg, automobile, fishing, hunting, sports or location-specific) please reach out. We would be more than happy to show you what we have or put a bundle together for you (at a cheaper price.)

PS: Be sure to check out our Instagram feed to see more examples of the vintage patches we have on offer, as well as any new ones that we find.

New items that are uploaded will appear first.

Looking for a particular vintage patch?

We have thousands of vintage embroidered patches back at Maple HQ. Unfortunately we do not have the time to list them all.

However if you're after something in particular, please contact us with any requests.

Vintage patch enquiry

How to sew a vintage patch onto your clothing or accessories

Once you've bought your new favourite vintage patch, we're sure you will want to sew it onto your favourite piece of clothing (or accessory.)

But for those who haven't sewn a patch before, it can leave you putting off the task entirely.

But fear not. It's much simpler than you think. All you'll need is the following:

  • Sewing pins & needle
  • Scissors
  • Your patch
  • Your item of clothing or accessory
  • Thread

Once you have all of the equipment on hand, you're ready to sew!

Now simply follow these steps:

Pick your spot - Decide where the patch is going to go.

Prep the Area - If you're covering a rip or hole, clean it up beforehand.

Pin down the patch - Use some sewing pins to pin down the patch. This will set the patch into place and make things easier when it comes to the sewing process.

Get your thread ready - It's time to start sewing your vintage patch. Pick a thread that matches (or contrasts) the colour of your patch. This will depend on the look you're going for. Cut your thread so there is enough to cover the amount needed to sew the vintage patch on.

Thread your needle - Get your needle and thread your needle. This means putting one end of the thread through the tiny hole at the top of the needle. Once the thread is pulled through make sure both sides of the thread are even.

Tie a knot - Make a small loop with the tail for one side of the thread and tie a knot. (Only one side needs to be tied off.)

Start sewing (the backstitch) - Push your needle through the patch and the fabric, bringing it all the way through until the knot is on the wrong side (the inside part which won't be seen.) You can start sewing at any point of the patch.

Keep stitching - Remember you are following the edges of the patch, so follow the backstitch around the whole silhouette of the patch. A good guide to follow is to the right or left about 1/4 of an inch, pushing your needle through and back until you reach your starting point once again (remove any pins as you go if they get in the way.)

Finish your backstitch - Once you're back at the starting point, it's time to tie it off. Knot your thread on the interior side of the fabric, ensuring the knot is tight and secure. You can double or triple-tie it for added strength.

Cut away the excess threads - Cut off any remaining loose thread once tied off. Your vintage patch should now be secure, but if you're worried about it coming loose you can always backstitch around it another time over.

Practice makes perfect - If you're unhappy or want to improve your stitching skills, keep at it. Before you know it, you'll be a sewing wiz!

FAQ

Can the vintage patches be ironed on?

Due to the age of the vintage patches, we recommend that you sew them onto your desired piece of clothing or accessory.

Iron-on patches often can come away after a few washes, so even when it comes to buying an iron-on patch, we recommend you sew it in place for longevity.

Are the vintage patches machine washable?

Yes, you should be fine to wash your clothing with the vintage patch attached. As mentioned above, we recommend that all patches are sewn on, so there is no risk of it coming loose in the wash.

It is important to note that due to the age of the vintage patches, we recommend washing your items on a delicate cycle and not putting them in the dryer. If you want to be even more cautious, you can always handwash the item.

What is the average size of a vintage patch?

Due to the wide range of vintage patches we have available, there is no average size. If we were forced to take a guess we would say anywhere from 3-6 inches.

In each product listing you will be able to see the measurement of the patch.

Can you use these patches as vintage clothing patches?

Yes of course. All of our vintage embroidered patches can be used for clothing such as denim jackets or shirts or on accessories such as caps or backpacks.