Chenille patches
Chenille is the letterman patch: short loops of yarn standing proud of a felt base, usually outlined in chain stitch. It is the most tactile construction and the least detailed, and the two facts are the same fact — the pile that gives it depth is also what stops it holding fine artwork.
What chenille can and cannot do
Think in shapes, not lines. A single letter, a numeral, a simple mascot silhouette — those work. A logo with a strapline under it does not, because the yarn cannot resolve type that small and the loops blur it into a smudge. As a rule of thumb, nothing narrower than about 10 mm survives.
Because of that, chenille patches run large. Most sit between 4 and 12 inches, and a chest letter is typically 5 to 6 inches tall. That is also why chenille is priced per piece rather than by the same size grid as embroidery.
Specification
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Base | Wool-blend or acrylic felt |
| Pile | Looped chenille yarn, single or two-tone |
| Outline | Chain stitch, contrast colour |
| Typical size | 4–12 inch; letters usually 5–6 inch |
| Minimum detail | About 10 mm — no small type |
| From | $2.50 per patch |
| Lead time | 10–12 business days standard, 5–7 rush |
Where chenille is used
- Letterman and varsity jackets — chest letters, sleeve years, sport insignia
- Club and society crests where the patch is the whole garment’s decoration
- Team awards and milestone patches, often layered on a felt shield
- Fashion pieces that want texture rather than resolution
Choosing a backing
Chenille is thick and heavy, which rules out some options. Iron-on adhesive struggles to hold the weight on a wool jacket, so sew-on is the standard and the one we recommend on anything worn regularly.
| Backing | Best on | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iron-on (heat seal) | Cotton and cotton-rich blends | Permanent enough for everyday wear; will lift on nylon, waterproofs and heavy fleece |
| Sew-on (plain back) | Anything, including technical fabric | The only backing that reliably outlives the garment |
| Velcro (hook & loop) | Tactical, service and ID panels | Designed to come off — the loop side is sewn to the garment once |
| Peel-n-stick | Events, samples, photography | Temporary. Not a wash-safe backing |
How ordering works
- Send artwork. Any format — a logo file, a photo of an old patch, or a sketch on paper.
- Approve the proof. You get a digital proof with the size, colours and border marked. Nothing runs until you sign it off.
- Production. 10–12 business days as standard, 5–7 on a rush, at no extra charge.
- Tracked delivery. Shipped worldwide, to you or straight to your printer.
Common questions
Can I have two colours of chenille in one patch?
Yes — two-tone is standard on varsity work, usually a body colour with a contrast outline. Three or more colours are possible but each adds a set-up pass, so it shows in the price.
Will it survive a wash?
Cold wash, inside out, air dry. Chenille mats if it is tumbled hot. The care guide has the full wash table.
Ready to order chenille patches?
Send the letter, crest or mascot you want made, with a size and a rough quantity, and we will quote it and proof it before anything is stitched.
Related reading
- Patch types compared — where chenille sits against the other constructions
- Patch care, washing and removal — keeping the pile from matting