That is too kind! And, super encouraging. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know. It means a lot to me!

Great question! You don’t necessarily have to cut the hole into a perfect square or rectangle before patching it. In fact, keeping the hole’s irregular shape (as long as you trim away loose threads) can sometimes help maintain more of the original fabric’s strength.

However, when cutting your patch, a rounded or oval shape is often better than a sharp-edged square or rectangle, especially for a knee patch. Sharp corners on a patch are more prone to lifting and fraying over time, whereas rounded edges distribute stress more evenly.

For maximum durability:
– Cut a patch that extends at least ½ inch to 1 inch beyond the hole on all sides.
– If using a woven fabric (like denim), finish the patch edges by either zigzag stitching, overlocking, or folding under the raw edges before stitching it down.
– If you’re sewing by hand, a whipstitch or blanket stitch along the edges helps prevent fraying. If using a machine, a zigzag stitch or straight stitch close to the edge works well.
– If you want added strength, especially for high-movement areas like the knee, you can reinforce with fusible interfacing on the inside before sewing the patch on.
– If you’re going for a visible mending or decorative look, you can also experiment with different patch shapes, like circles or organic forms, that complement the hole instead of forcing it into a square.

Feel free to share the finished product and good luck!

It was practical. Keep on posting!