How to Find Old Embroidered Patches
Patch collections can be specific or varied. Some collectors only collect fire or police patches, while others concentrate on vintage girl or boy scout patches. There are other collections consisting of advertising patches, for example. You will find collectors who only collect patches from certain decades and of certain shapes as well. Whatever your patch love may be, finding old embroidered patches can be accomplished searching the Internet or browsing vintage, antique and flea markets. Know the history of the patches you wish to collect so you know that the patch you're considering is authentic.
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Instructions
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Finding Patches Online
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Know the patches you're interested in locating. Be wary of fakes and unscrupulous patch dealers. According to Ben's Patch Collection, some patches can be slightly different even when they're supposed to be identical. Pay attention to the size and runs of each patch.
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Search online by using a search engine, such as Google or Yahoo!, to find websites of patch collections, retail patch store locations or patch selling websites. Some patch collectors also swap and trade patches. Enter "patches," "collectible patches" or "embroidered patches" into the search engine. If you collect "advertising patches" or "vintage patches," enter those phrases into the search engine. If you're looking for specific patches, such as "police patches" or "fire patches," narrow your search from the beginning by entering those phrases into the search engine.
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Visit the first website on the resulting list from your online search. Click on the website link and browse. If you don't find what you're looking for, click on your back key, and return to the original lists of websites. Select the next one. You can find patches for sale at online auction sites as well. If you wish to visit a physical store, search the website site map for a store locator, store address or phone number.
Finding Patches In-Person
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Search your local telephone book or an online search engine for antique stores, flea markets or collectible shops that might have old embroidered patches in your area.
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Call the number in the telephone book or of the customer service department listed on the website.
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Ask if the store carries old embroidered patches before you drive to the store. You can cut down on disappointment and save yourself money and gas by asking before visiting the store. If the store owner or manager doesn't know if they have patches or not, you'll need to visit the store location.
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Visit the store location. Many patches are stored behind glass in display cases, or in vinyl-sleeved ring binders to eliminate the need for customers to handle every patch. Storing embroidered patches behind glass protects the old embroidered patch from dust and handling, and also eliminates the store owner's theft worries.
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Tips & Warnings
If the shop doesn't have the patch you're searching for, ask them if they have a consultant or contact who collects, buys, sells or trades patches.
As with any Internet deal, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before you spend a lot of money for an old embroidered patch, make sure the store doesn't have any complaints listed with the Better Business Bureau (see Resources).
References
Resources
- Photo Credit patch image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com
