Embroidery Library - Machine Embroidery Designs Inspired Project Page

Embroidery Patches

Learn how to make fun and funky embroidery patches for clothing, caps, and much more!

Patches are a great way to add embroidery to hard to hoop items, such as caps or luggage. Just because an item may be hard to hoop doesn't mean it can't be personalized with embroidery!

Make a patch, and place it on any hard-to-embroider item or fabric -- like a tote bag, wallet, or baseball cap -- and customize almost any garment or accessory in your closet.

Create colorful patches in just a few easy steps and then choose from three different ways to attach a patch to your project.

Supplies needed:

** Fabric
** Heavy weight, water-soluble stabilizer
** Cut-away stabilizer
** Temporary spray adhesive
** Air-erase pen

To Attach Patch:

Patch glue (and pressing cloth), nylon monofilament thread, or hot glue

Designs used:

** Skull Patch (Applique) available in Small, Medium, and Large
** Skull and Wings Patch (Applique) available in Small, Medium, and Large

Making a patch is very similar to applique embroidery.

When you download an applique patch design, you will find two files. One file is marked with "_DL" -- that is the dieline. The dieline is used to cut the fabric to the exact shape that is needed for the design.

The other file starts with "Y" followed by 4 numbers -- that's the embroidery file.

Print the dieline file using the embroidery software.

To prepare the applique fabric, spray a piece of cut-away stabilizer with adhesive and smooth the fabric on top. You can use any fabric to make a patch -- we are using glitter felt.

Spray the back of the dieline shape with a bit of adhesive, and smooth it on top of the fabric and stabilizer. Cut out the shape.

If you do not have embroidery software, you can sew the dieline file directly onto the fabric to create the applique shape.

Cut a piece of cut-away stabilizer and fabric a bit larger than your hoop. Spray the stabilizer with adhesive and smooth the fabric. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer.

Attach the hoop to the machine, load the dieline file (the file that's marked with "_DL"), and embroider the dieline.

Cut out the shape.

Now that the applique piece is cut and ready, we are ready to embroider the patch.

Hoop a piece of heavy weight water soluble stabilizer. We are using Sulky Ultra Solvy.

Attach the hoop to the machine and load the embroidery design (the file that starts with a "Y" followed by 4 numbers).

Begin embroidering the design. The first thing to sew will be another dieline.

Spray the back of the applique fabric and stabilizer piece with adhesive.

Lay the fabric right inside the dieline shape.

Continue embroidering. A zigzag tack down stitch will sew next. This stitch binds the fabric to the stabilizer for the remainder of the embroidery.

Other elements of the design will sew, including a satin stitch border that will finish off the outside edge of the patch.

When the design has finished embroidering, unhoop the stabilizer and carefully tear away the excess.

Using the tip of a small scissors to peel up the edges, tear away the stabilizer from the back of the patch.

Next, we'll demonstrate different ways to attach the patches.

Attaching Method #1:

We are using patch glue to attach this patch to the flap of a messenger bag. Create a paper template of the design by printing it at full size using embroidery software. Cut around the design to make the template easier to work with. Place the template on the flap and use a ruler to measure equal distances from the center of the design to the edges of the flap. Use an air-erase pen to pole a hole in the center of the template and mark the bag.

Align the patch on top of the template and then carefully remove the template from underneath the patch.

Make a few marks around the edge of the patch with an air-erase pen. The marks will be used for repositioning the patch after the glue has been applied.

There are several brands of patch glue on the market. We're using one called Patch Attach. It is available at most craft stores.

If you are using a different type of glue, be sure to follow the package instructions. Apply the patch glue around the entire back edge of the patch. Allow the glue to dry the recommended time.

Align the patch back on the bag and cover with a pressing cloth.

Press the patch with a hot, dry iron (cotton setting) for 60 seconds. Then press the opposite side of the flap for 30 seconds to ensure a tight bond.

Attaching Method #2:

You can also attach the patch by sewing it on to your project.

In this example, we are adding a patch to a knit cap. Position the patch and pin it in the middle of the patch.

Sew around the entire outer edge of the patch following the inside of the outer border.

We are sewing with nylon monofilament thread, which helps conceal the stitches.

Attaching Method #3:

You can also use hot glue to attach patches.

For this example, we are adding a patch to the front of a baseball cap. Apply hot glue to the entire outer edge of the back of the patch.

Center the patch using the front seam on the hat and patch in place.

Cool and easy -- these patches jazz up almost anything and everything!

Click here for a printable version of these project instructions.

You'll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you don't have it, you can download a free copy by clicking on the icon below.