How to Make Your Own Machine Embroidered Patches

Design and make your own embroidered patches.

Logo, emblem and insignia designs are often made into embroidered patches. Although most of these patches are small, by creating an original design and coordinating it with the machine's embroidery field dimensions, the patch specifications are altered. For narrow stitching fields, the patch is divided into sections, bypassing a continuous connecting stitch. Taking time to sketch out the embroidered patch concept as well as color in the sketch to select embroidery stitches and threads will eliminate any sizing or embroidery errors during construction.

Things You'll Need

• Embroidery field outline
• Graph paper
• Tracing paper (optional)
• Drafting pencil
• Ruler
• Embroidery machine hoop attachment
• Embroidery thread
• Colored markers or pencils
• Fabric (your choice)
• Fabric scissors
• Tailor's chalk
• Water-soluble disappearing ink pen
• Fabric scrap
• Embroidery stabilizer sheet
• Rotary cutter

Instructions

Designing Your Embroidered Patch

1. Draw an outline of the machine's embroidery field dimensions onto the graph or tracing paper with the drafting pencil and ruler. These specifications are calculated by measuring the width and length of the embroidery machine's hoop attachment. Check the machine's manual for the exact size.

2. Sketch out the embroidered patch concept by selecting the shape of the patch, such as a rectangle, square or circle, and draw the outline. This will eliminate any sizing errors. Although most patches are small, such as 11/2-by-21/2 inches, by designing your own patch, you can alter the dimensions according to your design concept.

3. Choose the embroidery stitches and thread colors, and add color to the sketch with the colored markers or pencils.This colored road map will act as a guide to refer to during embroidery for any significant stitch or thread changes.

4. Cut the fabric, such as twill or canvas, with the fabric scissors, keeping in mind the embroidery field dimensions as well as the hoop size. Leave an extra 2 to 3 inches around the dimensions to facilitate hooping the fabric. It is extremely important to not cut the fabric according to the patch's dimensions. You will not be able to hoop the textile without sufficient fabric.

5. Trace the design onto the fabric with tailor's chalk or with a water-soluble disappearing ink pen. Keep in mind that tailor's chalk does not disappear over time. Use it to make light guide markings for stitching that will be covered by the embroidery. Although each brand of disappearing ink pen is different, most will erase after a few washes or by dabbing water onto the marking after you are done.

6. Stitch the embroidery thread colors as well as stitch types on a fabric scrap. Although this step is optional, it will help you plan out the stitching sequence for the embroidery stitches; it will also help you avoid extra thread trimming from added jump stitches, which are stitches between one area of the embroidery to another. Make any changes prior to embroidering the project fabric.

Making the Embroidered Patch

1. Stabilize the fabric with a stabilizer sheet by following the directions for your brand. The sheet will hold the fabric in place during embroidery. For example, non-stretch fabrics such as cotton twill or cotton will do best with a tear-away stabilizer sheet positioned underneath the fabric or a cut-away sheet for dense and thick embroideries.

2. Hoop the fabric by inserting it with the stabilizer sheet in between the top and bottom frames of the machine's hoop attachment. Although each embroidery machine brand is different, most have top and bottom frames. The top frame generally locks onto the bottom frame, holding the fabric and stabilizer sheet in place.

3. Embroider the design onto the fabric. It is best to stitch at the center of the hooped fabric to avoid breaking needles against the hoop as well as skipping or breaking stitches. Prior to switching embroidery stitch types, use the machine's thread cutter button and cut away any loose threads.

4. Choose a border stitch for the patch from the machine's frame selector wheel. Computerized machines will have a selection on the LCD touchscreen. The border stitch is generally a dense stitch with a raised surface and will frame as well as encase the patch.

5. Remove the embroidered patch from the machine's hoop. Use a rotary cutter to cut away the fabric around the embroidered frame without cutting into the border stitch thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Lightweight fabrics require a heavyweight stabilizing sheet, and heavyweight fabrics require a lightweight stabilizing sheet.

References

• "The Embroiderer's Handbook;" Margie Bauer; 2005

Resources

• Threads: Machine Embroidery: A Marriage of Fabric and Design