Elbow patches!

jackyann

The sites would send out fabric samples if you were buying fabric, but not for a set of patches.
However, the only way you would reliably match the fabric would be to follow the suggestion of cannibalising an old blazer (put out a "want" on your local Freecycle?)
I would go for leather type or black patches if you are buying them especially.

FairyPrincessk

I didn't realize you were trying to match the colour---I think that is going to be a difficult one. If the blazer is made of the same material as trousers/skirts for the uniforms then is there a pair of those which could be used?

Otherwise, I'd consider going a slight contrast to the blazer so it looks intentional--I guess what they might call hipster chic these days. Are the jackets lined? If not, and if you have to replace it at some point you might try ironing on some stabilizer inside the sleeve. Unlikely to ever be noticed by anyone and will help with wear and tear!

jrtfan

Thank you, both. No, sorry - re-reading my original post, I didn't make it very clear at the start that I was hoping to match the colour - my fault! The other uniform pieces are a different colour and different fabrics, unfortunately, and the jacket is lined (again, unfortunately!) although I can feel padding of some description already in there, by the elbows. I hadn't thought of Freecycle - another good tip, thanks!

Andypandyboy

I would check with your son if he would be happy to wear the blazer with patches. Kids are very self conscious at that age and something that seems a good solution to us may seem horrendous to him. No point going to all the trouble of sourcing and sewing if he doesn't want to wear it!

jrtfan

You have a very good point there! But yes, he's fine about having patched elbows.

jrtfan

I thought I'd revisit this thread to update on the outcome. In short, my son says there definitely are people wearing elbow-patched blazers in school but a visit to the uniform shop for advice informed me that they've been instructed by the school not to undertake any patching repairs and checking the school's website afterwards, I found a line in the uniform list saying that worn or threadbare clothing must be replaced with new. So, I'm hoping the 2nd hand uniform shop will have a replacement blazer in the correct size.

Thank you all for your tips and suggestions though, much appreciated!

jackyann

I think that proper elbow patches should be acceptable. Can I suggest that you put them on from the start as I used to with mine?

[Deleted User]

jackyann wrote: »

I think that proper elbow patches should be acceptable. Can I suggest that you put them on from the start as I used to with mine?

Good idea, my three youngest DGS all still at school whenever they get new trouser or blazers I always go around the bottom of the trousers with a needle and thread sewing the hems up as otherwise a couple of machine washes and they are trailing down

I use strong black cotton and it saves so much time I also use the cotton to sew the buttons on more securely as I think they are sewn on with a red hot needle and a burning thread as they seem to fall off after a couple of weeks otherwise. Leather patches sewn on before the start of the new school year will help I think

jrtfan

That's such a sensible idea, I can't think why these aren't applied to the new blazers during manufacture - that way, they could even make them from the identical material as the blazer and they wouldn't stand out!

There's a 'but' though, and it's that the school insists on the uniform being exactly to their specification which doesn't include elbow patches. From what the sales assistant in the uniform shop told me and from looking again at the uniform list, I'm assuming that some parents must have flouted this rule and had patches applied anyway - can't say I blame them, with blazers at nearly £100 each. It's so frustrating.

I'm wondering whether to take the issue of the worn elbows up with the manufacturer. Surely it's reasonable to expect an expensive item like this to last more than one year, or am I being unrealistic?

The blazer was 6 months old when the elbows first began to look thinner. The uniform shop was surprised to hear this when I rang them and suggested I bring the item in for them to see, because they wondered if the reinforcement had been left out by accident when the blazer was made. I checked though and it hadn't, and of course it was the middle of term so I couldn't really just pop over with the item to show them. The upshot was that it was left until just before the summer holidays, when I sent them a quick email to explain about the wear having worsened and ask about applying patches, or even replacing both of the arms completely. They didn't reply.

I'm wondering if the school might have spoken to them already by that time and said they weren't to touch the blazers, other than for alterations or minor repairs. I'm wondering if this could have been as a result of the other parents having applied elbow patches to their children's blazers, in defiance of the school's rules.

Sorry, this turned into a bit of a rant! It just seems hard to believe I have to accept the blazer is not fit for purpose any more and purchase a replacement after just one year's wear. Does anybody know if I'd have any consumer rights maybe, please?

Thanks.