Patching trousers -would felt be OK?

[BranchingOut]

I am thinking of patching some trousers which have worn through.

I have some nice pieces of felt. Would that work as a patch and still go through the washing machine OK?

Any other ideas?

Wash the felt piece first to check colourfastness and shrinkage. The quality of the felt will dictate how much it shrinks (or doesn't). It's not that hardwearing, so may not last long as a patch on a hardwearing place (ie the knees of my DS's trousers).

If you want matching fabric, can you snip out a square from inside the back pockets?

What sort of fabric are the trousers and where do they need patching?

What material are the trousers, and where is the patch? Felt isn't terribly strong, so anywhere load bearing (knees, elbows, seams) and it'll go straight through

I am not such an expert as LastYearsModel.
That said, I patch trousers a lot.
Much depends on where the patch needs to go.
I usually have to do the knees, and use colourful bits cut out of DC's worn out clothes. . Most things are suitable for that, I find.
Have made extra pockets on trouser seats, too (not very well, but practice makes perfect (I hope!).

These are knee patches, so it seems that felt won't be suitable...

How do I get around the fact that the trousers are lined?

Also, what is interfacing and do I really need it?

Thanks.

Lining - is the lining attached to the outer fabric? If not, just pull it up when you come to sewing the patch. If it is, unpick the seam so you've got access to the inside of the outer layer, then sew it back in place afterwards.

Interfacing is a strengthening layer of fabric, sometimes that white iron-on stuff, at places like waistbands, cuffs, collars. I can't think of a reason why you'd need it for patching, but perhaps the question was more existential than that?

peanutbutterkid I'm flattered, but no expert - I just have years of failed experiments and ruined projects that have taught me a few lessons.

What type of material are the trousers? Are there big holes in the knees? If not you can buy iron on denim patches which you could cut to size and decorate the edges with blanket stich.

I had heard somebody mention interfacing when patching, so had assumed it might be needed!

THanks for the tips. THere are several pairs of trousers that need doing - 2 pairs of cords and a pair of 'technical' fabric trousers.

I am lucky enough to live very close to a small haberdashery shop so will see if they stock the iron-on denim patches. I looked at iron-on patches before and didn't fancy any of the fruit/animal/vehicle designs, but those plain ones look quite good.

Cords can be patched with cord, if you can line it up right (I can't ) or with tweed, maybe to make it look like a design feature Fabricland do a heavyweight cotton in camo print for £1 a metre which would probably work quite well although would need hemming.

i get knee patch from ebay, cheap and nice design