Embroidered patches can be used to dress up anything. While a lot of us have used embroidered patches to hide holes and tears on garments and upholstery, you can actually use these patches to lend an element of style to not just your clothes but also to your bags, quilts, pillows, children’s clothes, hats etc. The more creative you get the more avenues you can explore and customize your patches.

If there is a unique design in your mind then you can easily make an embroidery patch and dress up your cloth or accessory instead of limiting yourself to the options given at the store. To make your own embroidered patched you will have to have the design idea and shape on the patch in your mind. Translate this design on paper first, coloring it with the colors that you want to so that you have an exact idea of how your finished product is going to look. Try to make the paper design as detailed as possible using stitch patterns so that your embroidery parameters are set. Now choose the fabric on which you want to make the patch. Make sure that you have a clear idea of the background of the patch so that you can choose a medium weight fabric in that color.

You can choose to embroider your patch with the help of a machine or do it by hand, whichever suits you. If you are using a machine make sure that you keep the frame restriction of the machine in mind. Remember that the border stitch has to have a high stitch count so that it can act as a frame to the entire patch. One you have the draft of your design ready on paper you have to transfer it on to the fabric. Give a two inch seam allowance around your patch. This will be the fabric which will either be tucked in or cut away once your patch is complete.

After transferring the design on the fabric secure some backing paper to it and tightly secure an embroidery hoop around the design. Make sure that the pattern falls in the center of the hoop so that you can embroider easily and evenly. Make sure that you first embroider the pattern and then complete the frame. This inside out approach will make your design look even and give it a professional appearance. Once your entire patch has been embroidered you will need to take it out of the hoop and get ready for some cutting.

You have to be very careful while cutting embroidered patches. Once you have cut out your patch from the main cloth, it is time to cut the excess seam fabric. Cut this excess fabric as close as possible to the embroidery seam with the help of embroidery scissors making sure that you do not cut any of the embroidery threads. You can also use a rotary cutter for this to get a professional look. Now cut away all the loose threads from your patch and put an iron on adhesive. Your patch is not ready to be glued on to anything that you want!