Chenille patches are the soft, fuzzy patches you will recognise from varsity and letterman jackets. Their raised, looped texture makes letters, numbers and bold shapes stand out, and they have become popular in streetwear and fashion as well as schools and sports teams.
What are chenille patches made of?
A chenille patch is made by stitching loops of thick, soft yarn so they stand up from the surface, creating a plush, towel-like pile. The yarn is usually built up on a felt base, and designs often combine several felt layers with embroidered outlines or details.
What are chenille patches used for?
- Varsity and letterman jackets: school letters, numbers, mascots and achievement patches.
- Sports teams and clubs: team initials, numbers and logos.
- Fashion and streetwear: oversized letters and playful shapes on jackets, hoodies and bags.
- Events and reunions: names, years and custom badges.
Which designs work best in chenille?
Chenille is perfect for big, bold shapes, letters and numbers. Because the yarn is thick, very small text and fine detail don't translate well. If your design includes small elements, they can often be added in embroidery on top of the chenille, or you may prefer an embroidered or woven patch instead.
How are chenille patches attached?
Chenille patches are most often sewn on, which keeps the plush yarn looking its best. Depending on the patch, other backings may be possible; our quote form shows the options available for chenille.
How to order custom chenille patches
Upload your letter, number or logo on our quote form, choose Chenille as the patch type and enter your size and quantity. We serve customers in the USA and the UK and will email you a custom quotation based on your exact requirements.