History repeats itself, and so does Fashion. The ripped and patched jeans, the punked patches on your shirt, and the legendary embroidered logos on denim jackets are all in nowadays. Professionals create unique looks with patches as they know how to make embroidery patches.
You can also learn how to do embroidery patches in 2023. Express what you stand for by making DIY embroidered patches for the black lives matter movement.
Though embroidered patches were used by girl scouts and are still of great importance as it is used by organizations such as NASA, the police, and the military.
You can recycle your worn-out and ripped clothes by making embroidery patches and learn how to make your own patches punk for yourself or the needy ones around you by using embroidery machines.
This complete guide tells you what you need to learn about embroidery patches and how to do it from scratch.
Material You Need
Before learning about embroidery patches, you must know what material you need to practice with. Make a checklist of things you have to buy for your so-called embroidery kits.
Premature Blank Patches
Select a premature blank patch for you to embroider on. Pick the right shape and size. Taking exact measurements will make the job easier.
Also, choose the right material for the patch, border color, and background color. Also, read the instructions as to whether it can be ironed or dry cleaned.
Sharp Needles
There is no standard needle used for making patches, though it depends on all the other materials you are using, such as the fabrics, stabilizers, etc. If you plan to do heavy Embroidery on a thick fabric, then needles made out of titanium should be your first choice.
Since the needles need to penetrate the patch, fabric, and stabilizer and the patches have a high thread count, the frequently used needle can be damaged and blunt. Therefore, one goes for a brand-new sharp needle. A universal needle is recommended.
Sticky Peel & Stick Stabilizer
This is a great tool that fulfills multiple purposes. It offers a stable platform to work on for areas that cannot be hooped, such as the collar and cuffs.
It is used on extremely stretchy clothes when a spray adhesive is not available to keep it in place. This stabilizer also reduces hoop marks on materials like brushed denim.
The best part is it won’t even get your needles sticky and is very easy to use. After the Embroidery is done, keep it with you to use again.
Fuse N Bond
Yes, you read it right. The name is bond, fuse bond. What does it do? It seals the deal between two fabrics, applique, or patch, using iron as a source of heat.
This heat seal film traps the heat and forms a permanent bond, which eliminates the need for sewing. It is water washable and can be dry cleaned.
Iron or Heat Press
Iron or heat press is the process in which you stick the material, in this case, an embroidery patchwork to the fabric you are attaching it with. You can do this by a specific amount of heat and pressing it for a certain period, preferably with an iron.
How To Make Embroidery Patches With Machine – Step-by-Step Guide
To learn how to make a patch on the embroidery machine, I will guide you through every step. Follow these instructions, and you will get done with your first custom-made embroidered patch quickly.
Step 1: Digitize The Design
Connect your computer or USB and upload a design, pattern, or words onto the commercial machine. Never forget to select the size of the pattern as well.
Step 2: Ready The Stabilizer
Depending on how many patches you are about to make, choose the water-soluble mesh or film. If you want multiple patches, then use the water-soluble mesh, and if you plan to make a single patch choose to use the water-soluble film.
You can also use the sticky peel stabilizer. All you need to do is hoop the stabilizer and mark an X on it gently with a pin. Then peel the paper side to reveal the adhesive side and stick the patch on it.
Step 3: Hoop it
To know about embroidery patches, you should also know how to hoop. Hooping will make sure stability is provided at work and keeps the stabilizer in place. Now hoop the required size of the stabilizer into place.
Step 4: Prepare The Embroidery Machine
Make sure the needles are new and sharp, the bobbins are filled, and the threads are ready. If not, then the machine will not produce efficient results and lose tension.
Step 5: Ready The Patch
Place the pre-made blank patch on the hooped stabilizer. If you do not have a pre-made patch, then start with giving a basic running stitch on the placement line.
Cut out the patch with scissors in whatever shape you desire and place it back onto the Embroidery machine.
Step 6: Secure The Borders
Make sure the borders of the patch are not fraying if it is not cut neatly. Use a serger or use the machine to give a zig-zag stitch throughout the edge.
Step 7: Start The Embroidery
Start with the embroidery with whatever type of stitch and color is set up, such as the satin stitch. Start with the outline, followed by the fillings.
Step 8: Finishing
In this step, you will learn how to finish an embroidered patch. Trim the excess threads if any are visible and remove any jump stitches or tie-off threads. Remove the stabilizer and make sure any piece of stabilizer or extra fabric is not visible.
Step 9: Attachment
You can finally finish off by attaching the patch on to the garment. You can do this in three steps.
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The Fuse N Bond
Ready the iron At 260F. Place the embroidered patchwork on Fuse N Bond film, mark the outline to determine how much you want, and cut it out. Start tracing out the corners of the non-waxed paper side with the iron. Once it is cooled, peel off the paper and iron the remaining film onto the garment.
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Iron and Press
You are coming to how to make iron-on patches. You can do this, giving heat of around 400°C and then pressing it for about 1-2 minutes with an iron. Place the patch on the iron stand or a hard platform for a leveled base.
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Sew
You can also stitch the borders with a needle and thread onto the garment by hand.
Both are easy to do, but the differences are that you cannot iron a patch onto leather or nylon fabrics. That’s where sewing comes in handy. Moreover, sewing lasts longer than iron patches as the thread is intertwined within the fabric and not just on the surface.
If by mistake, you placed the patch in the wrong position, you can easily remove it if you did an iron patch.
Tips For Embroidery Patches
Instead of relying on cheap machines, I would recommend you use the top-rated sewing machine available. The embroidery task needs durable and efficient performance for satisfying results as it is a matter of delicate embellishment, specifically when it’s on materials like stiff patches.
My personal favorite is the brother embroidery machine, which helped me figure out to make embroidery patches for the first time and has a fantastic range of top qualities hat machines.
Here, you will also learn how to make printed patches, custom embroidered patches, and also how to make a patch from a picture. There are a thousand ideas that come to your mind when learning embroidery patches before you begin to design a craft.
For a printed patch, look for an image or a picture on your computer to write on the transfer sheet. Then place the printed sheet on the patch. Give heat and pressure with iron and finally remove the liner by peeling.
For custom embroidered patches, you can use an automatic embroidery machine for custom designs. The automatic embroidery machines have an LCD screen to preview the designs.
You can use different software on your computer to design your own embroidered patches, such as buzzxplore V2 and brother software.
To give you an idea, you can embroider your favorite brand logos, gemstones, your favorite emoji, catchphrases, and much more.
Conclusion
You have to admit it. Embroidered patches do look cute and stylish. I love those tiny and colorful patches of BTS bears and other aesthetic designs. I would recommend you buy the best embroidery machine for home use which is suitable for this task.
So follow my tips and techniques to get the hang of how to make embroidery patches. Who knows, maybe your hobby can transform into a career one day.
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