Embellish your clothing with a subtle nod to Valentine’s Day this February by sewing these understated leather heart patches to the elbows of a sweater. It may take a second glance for others to recognize you’re wearing a festive sweater, but you’ll know. If subtle’s not your thing, follow the instructions and use red patches on a pink sweater instead.
Supplies
To add your own leather heart patches to the elbows of a sweater you need: A sweater, leather scraps, an awl, a self-healing mat, scissors, heavy-duty thread, leather needle, thimble, and a pen. You can substitute synthetic leather, felt, or fleece for the leather scraps and you will not need to use the awl or self-healing mat.
Marking the Sweater
Put on the sweater, bend your arms, and make a mark on each elbow so you will know where to place your patches.
Cutting the Patches
Draw your heart shapes on the wrong side of the leather. Cut them out.
Making the Patches
If you are using a thick leather, punch stitching holes, roughly 3/8 of an inch apart, in the leather using an awl on a self-healing mat. If you are using a very thin leather or a fabric like felt or fleece, skip this step.
Sewing the Patches
Center the patches over the marks on the sweater and stitch around the edge of the patch, using your leather needle, heavy-duty thread and a thimble to protect your finger. Knot the ends of the thread together on the inside of the sweater.