Need help - how to attach patches to bomber jacket?

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm making my 10yo son a bomber jacket similar to the one above. I have the leather jacket but I need to get the patches put on. MIL had planned to sew them on but when she looked at jacket last night, she saw it had a beautiful, authentic "map" lining and didn't want to rip it to sew the patches on. She feels we need to find another way to get them on and suggested using fabric glue.

This type of thing is not my forte but I did buy some fabric glue at Michaels last night figuring I'd attempt to glue them on, but then I wondered if that was the best way, and thought that maybe I should ask my Dis friends for advice. (I guess other possibilities are sewing them on from the front or hand sewing them, I really have no idea.)

I got this beautiful - older but in perfect condition - jacket at a flea market for $8. It took two weeks and cost $40 to dry clean but it came out very nice. We have a great collection of patches which are significant for DS's interests and family background - my father drove a tank in WWII, we have an army tank patch; DH's great uncle was a navy photographer, we have some of his patches, etc. It'll be really great when it's done.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. I don't want to ruin it!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Still looking for help. Anyone know how to do this?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Maybe third time's a charm?

 

[NotUrsula]

Either way you're ruining the leather, which hurts. Personally I wouldn't be able to do that to good leather. However ...

The problem is complex. Normally leather glue would do it, but most leather glue will not adhere patches, because most new patches have a plastic backing film that won't adhere with it. If your patches are all vintage, Fabri-Tak would work, because it will bond fabric to leather, but if you have that shiny plastic backing on the patches, it won't work. Leather to plastic is a tough problem.

The best glue I know of that will work on leather and on *most* flexible plastics is Polyvinyl Acetate, known as PVA. Unfortunately it is also water-soluble, which means that the first time the jacket gets caught in the rain, the patches will loosen.

What I would suggest you do is to ask at a shoe repair shop. They use specialty glues that are specifically made for leather and plastic, and would know if there is one out there that will properly handle both of them and resist water.

You could also sew on the patches using a curved upholsterers needle to only go through the leather (which is the right way to sew it, anyway; sewing clear through the lining and the leather would cause the jacket to fit badly because the lining would no longer move independently). Be sure to allow a LOT of time for doing this, get a good thimble and hope that you have strong fingers; you'll have to push VERY hard to get through both the leather and the sizing used to stiffen the patches, and that's tricky with a curved needle. It helps to use a rubber-tipped needle-nose pliers to pull the needle through from the sharp end.

 

[golfgal]

I was going to suggest taking it to the store where the high schoolers in your area get their letter jackets. They would be able to sew on the patches for you-it is about $3-5/patch at the store we use-but I don't know what they would do about the lining. If you can find a good tailor or seamstress in the area they would be able to help.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you both for your suggestions.

I found a local seamstress this morning who is going to remove the lining, sew on the patches, then sew the lining back in. She might even be able to have it ready in time for Christmas!

So much for my $8 flea market find, LOL, between the cleaning, cost of patches and seamstress fees. DS better not lose it!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good news, just got a call from the seamstress, jacket's done in time for Christmas! I'm going to bring her something nice for getting this done for me.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

That is awesome! We are waiting to hear the same good news on my son's letterman jacket. So far he only has his class year to be sewn on, but that goes on the leather sleeve, so off to a seamstress my DH went! She said it would be done between noon and 2 today.

Wish we lucked out with an $8 jacket. We had to specail order his in a 3X!