How to Embroider a Blank Patch

A thimble will give you more control and comfort while working on large patches.

Practice a new design or learn to embroider without ruining your favorite pillows by using blank patches. Patches come in precut shapes with reinforced backings. This backing, usually a white webbed material, may or may not include a heat-activated adhesive for iron-on application. Depending on the brand and style you purchased, the patches may also have serged, straight-stitched, fused or raw edges. If you plan to attach the patch itself to a pillow or jacket, select one with a serged edge, because these are very durable. But if you just want to preview the design on different items, a fused edge will interfere the least with the design.

Things You'll Need

• Chalk
• Embroidery floss
• Tape
• Scissors
• Embroidery needle
• Thimble
• Seam sealer

Instructions

1. Draw a design on the front of the patch with the chalk.

2. Cut 1 foot of embroidery floss.

3. Tape the end of the floss to a tabletop. Separate the floss to make a thinner working thread; generally, floss is made with six strands so you may have a thickness of one to six strands.

4. Untape the floss. Smooth your fingers over the end that was taped to make a fine point. Thread the needle.

5. Hold the need at an angle to the patch surface, about 1/2 inch from the start of your design. For example, if you are embroidering a heart, place the needle on the right side of the heart about 1/2 inch from the pointed base.

6. Work the tip of the needle under the thread of the patch, but not through to the back.

7. Push the needle toward the starting point of the design. Pull the needle up through the patch threads at the start of the design. Pull away from the patch, and watch the tail of the thread as you pull; stop pulling when the tail just disappears beneath the surface of the patch.

8. Straight stitch along the chalk lines without inserting the needle all the way through the patch; just guide the needle under the thread of the patch and back out.

9. Stop 1 inch before you reach the end of the thread. Insert the under the thread of the patch and emerge 1 inch away from your design. Cut the excess from the needle, and leave the tail embedded inside of the patch.

10. Change threads or stitches to add visual interest to the patch.

11. Apply a thin coat of seam sealer to the entire patch. Dry for 48 hours before applying the patch to a garment.

Tips & Warnings

• The straight stitch is the basis for many other stitches. Turn a straight stitch into a split stitch by inserting the needle up through the middle of the previous stitch to divide the strands. Pull the needle up through the patch to the side of the previous stitch to make a stem stitch.

References

• "Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To"; Jenny Hart et al.; 2006
• "Embroidery: Techniques & Patterns"; Marie-Noëlle Bayard; 2007
• "Embroidery: 25 Classic Step-by-step Projects"; Katrin Cargill et al.; 1995

Resources

• YouTube; Embroidered Patch Pointers; 2009