How to Make Sew-On Patches

Making your own sew-on patches is not only a very economical idea but it will also allow you to choose fabric and shapes best suited for the item you are attaching it to. With the use of a fusible webbing material and simple patterns and shapes like cookie cutters, you can achieve success with any sew-on patch you can envision. Just like the patches you purchase at the store, they can be sewn to any fabric surface. If you have made a special outfit, the leftover fabric can be used to make sew-on patches to embellish it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric scraps
• Lightweight iron on fusible web
• Pattern shapes or cookie cutters
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Matching thread
• Disappearing ink pen
• Embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle
• Embroidery scissors

1. Iron the fabric you are using to remove any wrinkles or creases.

2. Lay the fabric, right side up on your work surface. Trace your design on the right side of the fabric using your pattern shapes and a disappearing ink pen. If tracing multiple designs, leave a 1-inch space between them.

3. Lay the fabric, wrong side up on your work surface. Place the lightweight fusible (with the glue side down) on top of the fabric. Iron the fusible web to the fabric using the manufacturer's directions for the fusible web. Allow the fused fabric to cool.

4. Cut around each of the traced designs a 1/2 inch from the disappearing ink line.

5. Satin stitch on the drawn pattern line using a thread that matches the fabric. If more lines have been drawn within the pattern satin, stitch these as well. Change the thread color if needed.

6. Cut the sew-on patch close to the satin stitching using the embroidery scissors. Peel the paper backing from the fusible web. If you are having trouble releasing the paper, score it with a needle.

7. Position the sew-on patch on the garment you are adding it to. Iron the patch to the garment. The lightweight fusible webbing will hold the patch in place to allow for ease in sewing.

8. Stitch the sew-on patch to the garment using an appliqué stitch. Embellish your sew-on patch with beads, buttons, bows and embroidery stitches to complete.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer, eliminate the satin stitching and attach the sew-on patch using embroidery floss and a blanket stitch.
• Fusible iron-on webbing comes in different weights. Be sure to use the lightweight fusible web or the sewing machine needle will become caked with glue and will not perform properly. Heavier weight webbing will also make it almost impossible to get a hand sewing needle through.