While a lot of people believe that embroidery patches are best used to cover up unsightly holes, these can in fact be easily used to dress up any outfit. In fact embroidery patches can be used on a host of other things as well apart from garments. Bags, hats, pillows, blankets, bed linen…all can use embroidery patches to get a small sprucing up.
If you have an old bag that you want to dress up or want to give your children’s blankest a little makeover you can use embroidery patches to do the trick for you. While you can easily buy these patches at your local embroidery store you can also make them yourself or look then up online. There are a number of sites from where you can purchase these patches in bulk and have them delivered at your doorstep. You have a huge plethora of designs to choose from and can have patches made to order depending on the purpose. For example using different patches on a blanket can give you a lovely collage effect. You can turn a simple shopping bag into something interesting by putting an embroidery patch on it. In fact you can even use embroidery patches on cloth boxes for your children demarcating their property and signifying the use of that box.
These patches look very cute when put on baby clothes also. But if you think that it is mainly for the homey, girly stuff for which you can use these patches, you have another thought coming your way. Think biker jackets and bags. You can use embroidery patches made on leather to give some character to these accessories and make them look stunningly different.
If you feel that you don’t want something store bought and would much rather do it yourself then making these patches is very easy. Canvas, cotton, leather, stiff velvet etc can be your choice of fabric on which you can make the patch. Choose the material according to the work required on the patch and the purpose of the patch. For example you can use a leather embroidery patch on a boy’s bag and use a velvet patch on a girls bag. The choice of fabric is on your personal taste and choice.
After deciding on the purpose of your embroidery patches, select a design, draw it in detail in color on paper and then get all the supplies that you will need. Always use a backing paper when making and embroidery patch as this paper will give your patch a neat and store bought look. Once you have transferred the final design on the fabric you will be using secure an embroidery hoop tightly around it. However make sure that your design is in the center of the hoop so that you can embroider easily. Complete embroidering the pattern before you cut it out. Also use a higher count of threads when making outlines and borders to give a slightly raised frame effect to your pattern. Cut your pattern out and fix an iron on adhesive to it. Your patches are now ready for use.