There is a kind of joy that comes with putting on one’s favorite soccer team’s jersey. Soccer jerseys make fans feel like a significant part of something bigger which is why innumerable soccer fans all over the world have developed the habit of publicly representing their favorite soccer teams by wearing their jerseys.
Soccer jerseys come in fascinating colors and designs, each team’s jersey is always different and unique, helping to distinguish one soccer team from another. Every team player or fan derives pleasure, passion, and purpose by putting on their team’s jersey.
Soccer jerseys, although light and durable, are also susceptible to wear and tear which is often very common in soccer due to its nature. Contact sports players always get their jerseys torn due to constant pulling and squabble during contests for the ball.
Defenders and strikers in soccer teams are the most vulnerable players that constantly suffer from this problem. Dragging and holding which are responsible for most soccer jerseys tearing are common in soccer even though the rules of soccer don’t accept them.
Soccer jerseys can also easily get torn when exposed to sharp or extremely hot objects because of their physical structure. We believe no soccer player or fan likes getting their jerseys torn which is similar to service people getting their work uniform or apparel torn.
You don’t have to worry or sulk too much because your soccer jersey isn’t ruined or useless. A few patches can fix it up if the damage isn’t extreme.
For those of you speculating for days or weeks on what to do with your torn soccer jersey, this article is for you. We will explain to you in simple steps how to patch that torn soccer jersey of yours if you continue reading.
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How to put a patch on a soccer jersey?
Soccer jerseys have evolved drastically through time, from the 18th to the early 19th century, players weren’t given specific uniforms. Players then either wore white shirts on long trousers or shorts with colorful caps to differentiate both teams on the field.
The introduction of soccer jerseys was put into consideration after the public demanded them for soccer players from the English FA Cup committee.
Over the years, there have been tremendous improvements to soccer jerseys ranging from their manufacturing, comfort, fitness, and durability.
Early soccer jerseys were initially produced from wool and cotton materials which made them very uncomfortable, heavier, and less durable. They often retain sweat, get soaked easily, and also conserve a high level of heat.
With the lingering evolution and growth in science and technology, soccer jerseys have been transformed into what it is today – a more comfortable, durable, fitting, and better version of what it was in the past.
Most soccer jerseys today are completely made from polyester materials which are way better than the originally used cotton materials.
Some advantages of polyester materials over cotton include:
- Easily breathable by allowing air to penetrate and keep you cool
- Polyester does not retain liquid and thus don’t retain sweat
- It doesn’t bleed or shrink
- They are more durable than cotton
- Polyesters don’t conserve heat
- They are highly resistant to stain and dust
- They are light in weight
Sometimes mistakes are bound to happen which might cause damage to a soccer jersey. What happens when a soccer jersey experiences wear, tear or burn? Is discarding them the best option?
Patching a torn soccer jersey can help prolong the fabric’s lifespan except in special instances where a jersey tears beyond redemption.
A patch can be described as a piece of supple material used to mend a tear or hole on a fabric, it can also be used for decorative purposes.
A soccer jersey’s initial look might be impossible to replicate by simply patching it but the normal functions of the jersey can be fully restored.
The different methods you can use in putting a patch on a soccer jersey are discussed in simple steps below.
Using an iron-on patch
Polyester materials can be easily damaged by heat which is why you must adhere to details while applying this method in patching your torn soccer jersey. Most people deliberately avoid using iron-on patches because of the high risk involved.
You have nothing to fear in this method as long as you carefully follow the steps as we outlined below.
Iron-on patches can be easily attached to torn jerseys by applying the right amount of heat on them. They come with a sticky back which becomes an active adhesive when heat is applied to them.
To successfully execute this method, you need the following:
- The soccer jersey you want to patch
- The patch fabric (pick a fabric of similar color and weight)
- Iron
- Ironing board or a flat surface
- Scissors
Step 1
Wash the soccer jersey you want to patch and dry them thoroughly.
Step 2
Remove anything that can obstruct the polyester jersey from lying flat on the surface you intend using and then prepare a suitable and original iron-on patch for use by removing the plastic layer covering the sticky side.
Step 3
Locate the hole or tear on the jersey and carefully measure the whole area you intend to put the patch on. When cutting the iron-on patch, make sure it is 1/4-inch larger than the actual hole or tear you intend patching.
Step 4
Preheat the hole or torn area with a slightly warm iron before placing the iron-on patch on the area then set the iron to the settings indicated by the manufacturer on the pack of the iron-on patch.
Step 5
When the iron has adequately heated up, place a piece of cotton material over the iron-on patch and iron evenly for about 20-30 seconds until the jersey is properly sealed.
Pros of using iron-on patch method
- It can be carried out easily
- Can be done by anybody not compulsorily a seamstress
- No need for a sewing machine
Cons of using iron-on patch method
- Polyester fabrics can’t withstand heat, the heat from the iron can easily ruin the jersey.
- You cannot wash the fabric with warm or hot water after patching.
Sewn patch method
Some people might prefer this method because it doesn’t necessitate the use of heat or anything hot which can ruin the jersey. This patch also looks more durable when compared with the former method.
To execute this method, you need the following supplies:
- The soccer jersey you intend patching
- The patch fabric (a fabric of similar color and texture)
- Sewing machine
- A matching thread
- Scissors
Step 1
Locate the hole or tear you intend to patch and measure the affected area in full. When cutting the desired patch material, make it one inch bigger on all sides than the actual hole or tear.
Step 2
Place the patch fabric on the opposite side of the soccer jersey so that it is under the hole or tear.
Step 3
Arrange all sides of the tear so that the hole or tear is flat over the patch fabric below it.
Step 4
Ensure to carefully pin both fabrics together.
Step 5
Set the sewing machine to achieve a zigzag pattern and sew a zigzag pattern through the tear. To be sure the tear is entirely closed, sew additional zigzag patterns on the former stitch.
Step 6
Turn the soccer jersey inside out and trim off the excess patch at least 1/4-inch away from the stitch.
Apart from using sewing machines, you can also use your hands to sew patches onto soccer jerseys. This method may pose a little more risk and take longer to accomplish but it saves money.
To perform this method, you will need a pair of scissors, a needle, and a thread with a matching color to the patch. Use a pin to steadily hold the patch over the hole or tear where it will be sewn.
Secure your thread to the sewing needle and stitch the patch around its edges, you can stitch around twice or thrice to make the stitch stronger on the jersey. Cut the thread when done and cut away all other excess threads that may appear on the patch.
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Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros of using the machine stitch method
- It is stronger than iron-on stitching
- A creative touch can be easily added while sewing
Cons of using the machine stitch method
- The excess pressure from the machine can pull the fabric when sewing, causing puckering
- Polyester fabric is slippery and may keep sliding around when sewing
Conclusion
Fans and lovers of soccer all over the world wear soccer jerseys to show solidarity for their favorite soccer team. When these fabrics are used over some time, they are bound to experience certain degrees of wear and tear.
Since soccer jerseys usually have a stiff price tag, it only makes sense to maximize their use by patching up small tears until they have outlived their worth. Patches help our soccer jerseys live longer than initially expected without looking too bumped up or tattered.
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!