What do you do when you buy a new vest of a jacket and don’t want to give up your favorite patches or maybe you want to take a patch off that no longer has any meaning? You remove it, of course, oh but wait we’re talking about leather. Here’s the thing, if you’re careful and you take your time you can remove a patch without damaging your leather!
In order to remove the patch, you’re going to need a few very basic sewing tools. These tools can be purchased at most fabric or craft stores or online. To make it a little easier for you I’ve linked to my favorite brands for you below in the supplies and tools section.
Supplies/Tools:
- Small Seam Ripper
- Large Seam Ripper
- Snips can sometimes be used instead of a seam ripper
- Leather Cleaning Wax Conditioner
- The jacket or leather item that has the patch you want to remove
How to Remove A Patch
You want to begin by locating the patch you want to remove. Then turn the clothing over or inside out. You’ll need to locate the stitching on the underside for that patch. Next, take either the seam ripper or snips and slip it under one of the stitches and cut/snip it. Work your way around the entire patch until it comes off.
Once you’ve removed the patch pull out any cut threads that are still in the stitch holes. Once all the threads are gone I suggest rubbing the area lightly with some leather cleaner/wax. This will condition the area and help the leather recover from having the patch removed. You will sometimes see small stitching holes left behind. The leather conditioner often helps close these holes up or at the very least make them less noticeable.
Pretty simple wasn’t it! Now you can buy that new vest and confidently move patches over to it or remove those patches you no longer want.
Great info! I’ve been afraid to remove a patch for fear of ruining my vest. Thanks!