Nowadays, we are all familiar with custom sew-on patches. However, have you ever wondered how these emblems were discovered or made for the first time? Custom sew-on crests tell a story of decoration, political movements, and even the Industrial Revolution, all of these in a few inches of fabric!
Embroidery is not a new thing. It’s an adored art form that has been used for hundreds of years. Embroidered badges were once used and valued by queens and kings worldwide. In the start, all embroidery used to be hand-stitched. This made for a steady, careful procedure done by craftsmen.
There are multiple methods to sew patches. Which method you use will depend on the kind of patch it is. Below, you will read about the most common application methods.
How To Sew-On Patches
So, let’s jump into the important details of sew-on patches without waiting any further.
Tools Required To Stitch These Emblems
- Embroidery needle
- Sewing pins
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Thread (Either colored or transparent, what matches best with the patch)
- Thimble
A Detailed Guide On How To Sew On Patches
- Prepare a clean, dry, and ironed cloth for placing the patch.
- Observe proper sizing to decide where you want to position the patch. For instance, if you want it centered, then take equal distances from the borders.
- Use pins to pin the patch in the desired location while making sure to keep it smoothly against the fabric.
- If applying a patch to a vest, shirt, or jacket, you must pin the patch with a piece of fabric before stitching. Sometimes, a badge’s placement looks better while lying smoothly but winds up to look better when you’re wearing it.
- Adjust badge position, if required, before finishing the remaining steps.
- Trim a 20 to 25-inch length of thread.
- Pick an embroidery needle that is sturdy enough for the cloth that you’re working on. Leather and denim require heavier needles.
- By using a single or double thread, start threading the embroidery needle.
- Now, tie the end of the thread.
- Grip the patch with your forefinger and underneath on the front.
- To take caution when avoiding yourself from pocking, place a thimble on your thumb. As the needle passes through the patch and fabric, the thimble will protect you.
- Begin with the underside of the cloth and move the needle into the cloth and up through the patch about 1/9 inch from the borderline.
- Move the needle back through the badge to the bottom of the fabric to make the first stitch.
- Carry on with stitching along the border of the patch.
- When tying down the thread, do it on the bottom of the fabric.
- If you run out of thread, tie down the first thread and begin with a new thread.
So, this is a complete and detailed step-by-step guide on how you can make bespoke sew-on patches UK.
Difference Between Iron-On And Sew-On Patches
Embroidered badges can be ironed or sewn into place; it depends on your choice. But always remember that not all badges are the same. Woven, PVC, printed, and chenille patches can be sewn on easily, but they cannot be placed using iron.
Let’s examine these two famous types of patches more closely.
Iron-On Patches Or Sew-On Patches: Which Is Better?
We are mostly asked whether it is better to iron or sew on a patch. Well, it depends on how you plan to use your patches. Iron-on patches are a time-saving and convenient procedure to attach your patches. On the other hand, sew-on patches are great, too. But sew-on patches need a bit more time, work, and some stitching skills. Although these patches take more time to be applied, they add more elasticity to the garment on which the badge is placed.
The dissimilarity between sew-on and iron-on patches is that the iron-on badge has glue or adhesive on the backside. Sew-on crests mostly include a plain design made of thread and fabric with no plastic or glue along the back. An iron-on badge will have a shiny look and a cloudy look on its back. On the other hand, sew-on patches will simply look like fabric.
The Consistency In Production With Digital Revolution
The introduction of modern electronic equipment and machines brought consistency. The electronic-controlled tools made it simpler to replicate a single design of custom sew-on patches hundreds, thousands, and even tons of times. The digital design also made it feasible for producers to provide greater flexibility and variety in embroidered patch shapes and sizes.
Mostly, any style and shape are just a few steps away from production. Today’s custom embroidered patches are not even close to old hand embroidery. Today’s badges are more creative, longer-lasting, and colourful. You can look at any UK’S best patches store; they use modern technology to offer their customers complete value for money and replicate the exact design onto the emblem that they wish for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are sew-on patches?
An ornamental work in which one piece of fabric is fixed or sewn onto another. Thus, the term also describes the method of decorating cloth by embroidering or sewing directly over the fabric.
What is an ironing vs. sewing patch?
The primary difference between these two types of badges is that iron-on patches are not as long-lasting as sew-on patches. This is because the glue used to attach iron on patches is not as durable as stitching. Therefore, iron-on patches are more likely to fall off if they are not attached properly.
What stuff is used for sew-on patches?
Polyester fabric is an ideal fabric for sew-on patches. Polyester is a perfect choice for machine-embroidered badges since it can be easily sewn and cut.
What is the best stitch for badges?
Be sure to stitch perpendicularly with the edges of the patch, and you will be great to go. Always remember not to use running stitches until you desire to re-sew your patches once a month.
The Conclusive Statement
Embroidered Sew-on patches are praised as small-scale works of art around the world. Some people even choose to gather them as part of their journey. It’s feasible today to say just about anything you desire on custom sew-on patches.
Showing that you belong to a particular group or even making a political statement can be done easily with a patch. From the craftsmen of thousands of years ago to the machine-automated servants of today, the thread of artistry connects us all!