Creating or refreshing a patch for a military uniform or scout sash, or adding a patch to a uniform for work, requires knowing how to attach a patch properly. Iron-on patches attach quickly, but they come off easily in a washing machine after a few uses.
To make your clothes and uniforms look really good and last a long time, you need to know how to sew patches on by hand. Sewing patches by hand is the way to make sure patches stay on your clothes long enough. Your patch will not come off, even if you wear the clothes a lot and wash them many times.
The article below discusses patch placement, the tools you need to sew it on, and the steps to sew it on like a professional.
Materials You Will Need for Sewing
Below is a list of materials that will need to be gathered before starting the sewing process to attach the custom patches on your uniform.
- Patch and uniform: The essentials that you will be working on.
- Sharp sewing needle: A sharp, medium-sized needle is good for sewing most uniform fabrics, but if you are going to be sewing something like thick canvas or leather, a heavy-duty needle would work best.
- Thread: Use heavy-duty polyester thread that is the same color as the patch’s outer border, instead of the color of your uniform, so the stitches are hidden.
- Sewing pins or double sided tape: Use them to hold the patch in place while you sew to prevent the light types, like woven patches, from slipping and displacing.
- Scissors: For cutting excess thread at the end.
- Thimble: Pushing a needle through thick embroidery and not wanting to hurt your fingers? Wear a thimble to protect yourself.
Step 1: Perfect Patch Placement
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when attaching patches is to sew them on crooked. After attaching a patch completely, it can be a real pain to take it off again and redo everything from scratch.
- Read Regulations: If the uniform patches are for officials like military personnel, police, scouts, or others, then refer to the official regulations manual. Typically, there is lots of specific information on how many inches from the shoulder seam a patch needs to be sewn.
- Try It On: Sometimes a garment will drape differently than it looks when not being worn. Use double sided tape to temporarily attach the patch where you want it to go, and have the person try on the shirt to see if the look and the size of the patch looks appropriate.
- Fasten it down: Once you have found a patch placement you like, secure the patch. While regular sewing pins work for holding down patches, cutting and pinning are other options that provide the same functionality without causing pain when you try to move around to sew the patch down.
Step 2: Choosing Your Stitching Technique
The durability of hand sewing a patch relies on the particular stitch chosen. The most common and secure patch stitching for hand stitches is known as the whip stitch.
With a whip stitch, you make a looping motion over the edge of the embroidered patch, which will keep the embroidered area securely attached to your uniform fabric and will not let the edges of the patch curl up over time.
Using a simple running stitch, which is an up-and-down stitch just inside the border of the patch, will do the job too but is not quite as durable as the whip or the other stitches would be in preventing the patch from fraying.
Step 3: The Sewing Process
Find a comfortable spot to sit. Make sure it has enough lighting. Now start sewing and follow these steps to attach the patch:
- Thread your Needle: Now take some thread, about 18 or 24 inches, any longer, and you are sure to snarl it. Use the needle and tie a strong knot on the end.
- Begin at the inside: Stab the needle through the inside of the uniform shirt, through the material, and out on the very top of the patch. This conceals your knot of beginning on the interior of the garment.
- First Whip Stitch: Slide the needle back into the uniform material, directly to the edge of the patch, on the outside.
- Reiteration: Now take the needle and go around again, this time through the inside of the shirt, penetrating the edge of the patch at the same place, but some 1/8 of an inch away from the location of your first stitch.
- Stay close and straight: Keep on with this looping movement around the perimeter. Pull the thread tight after every stitch, but not tight to the extent that the uniform material starts pouching.
Pro Tip: If the patch is very thick and hard to pierce, try pushing the needle through the thinner fabric just inside the thick embroidered border, rather than through the dense border itself. This also tells us that selecting the right patch type is crucial in this process.
Step 4: Tying Off for Maximum Security
You have finally finished making your way around! It is time to tie off your thread so your work will not come undone during a wash.
- Push your needle through to the backside of your uniform when you have reached the end of your circle.
- Flip your garment inside out.
- Pull your thread through the last stitch you made, then create a small loop with it underneath the same last stitch.
- Pass your needle through that loop twice and pull it tight to create a secure knot.
- To ensure that you have a secure knot, tie off another knot.
- Cut off any excess thread leaving a short tail.
FAQs
What is the best hand stitch for patches?
A simple whip stitch or running stitch can each be the best hand stitch for patches.
How do you sew iron-on patches?
For extra durability, after you iron the patch onto the uniform or garment, add stitches around the patch to create a stronger bond.
How much would it cost to sew patches?
You can sew your patches yourself for free, or you can ask a family member/friend to do it for you. Or else you can hire a tailor to do it for $10 to $20.
How to make sure my hand stitch is strong enough to support the patch?
Generally, sewing is very durable for attaching patches. To clear any doubts, you can double-stitch it for even better durability.
Hand Sew Your Personality on Your Uniform
Hand sewing a patch on your garment may take more than one try, but it can be quite fulfilling. Sewing a patch onto a uniform proves to be stronger than an iron-on patch is and has a more professional feel.
Additionally, you need a durable custom patch that does not fray easily. The American Patch is the only patch vendor in the States that you can trust throughout your ordering process. With our excellence and thousands of satisfied customers, we offer the best services in the market.
Order your custom patches today and start sewing to make your garments truly inspirational!
