When you want to change the look of a garment, bad, cushion, blanket or even a lampshade then one easy way to do that is by using an embroidery patch. A lot of people feel that an embroidery patch is used only to cover up holes that come up in garments. But these patches can be a great way to accessorize an outfit and to liven up an old pillow…the list is as endless as your imagination.
To begin making your patch you have to start by having all your supplies in pace. But before you head out to get your supplies take a moment and decide on the pattern and design of your patch. Drawing out the design that you want in full color along with smaller details like the stitches that you are going to be using will make your supply buying much easier. This step will also ensure that you will know exactly how your final design will look. Any changes that you want to make in the design and pattern are best made now.
The good thing about making an embroidery patch yourself is that you can not only use a pattern in the design but can have a mix of words and patterns, words alone or patterns alone. You can also make your patch specific to a purpose. For example if you want to liven up a biker jacket or a garden club bag then you can have a design specific to that purpose.
The supplies that you will need are embroidery cloth that should be medium heavy so that it can support the patch design, embroidery threads in colors of the design, sewing scissors, an embroidery machine or needles if you do not want to use a machine, backing paper, iron on adhesive or glue.
Once you have transferred the design on paper you have to trace it on the cloth. If you want a border to your design make sure that it is drawn slightly thick so that you can embroider easily on it. Fix the backing paper to the wrong side of the drawing and then fix the embroidery hoop over the pattern making sure that the pattern falls in the exact center of the hoop. Using an embroidery hoops makes sure that your design is embroidered in a taut manner and doesn’t look loopy and loose.
After you have completed these basic steps it is time to get to work. Start embroidering your patch inside out making sure that you use a slightly higher thread cunt on the border. This will make your patch look almost store bought lending a professional look to it.
Once you have completed making your embroidery patch remove it carefully from the hoop and slowly tear off the backing paper. Now cut the patch from the cloth leaving some seam space. You can tuck the seam at the back of the patch, glue on another piece of fabric on it and attach a pin to it or you can cut the excess seam and use an iron on adhesive and have it ready for use.