How To Make A Patch With Embroidery Machine: Step By Step

Making a patch with an embroidery machine lets you create custom designs for clothes, bags, hats, and more. It’s a fun way to add unique flair. You can make custom embroidered patches for yourself, friends, or even to sell. This guide will walk you through the steps. We will cover everything from getting your design ready using embroidery software for patches to finishing your patch. Yes, you can add iron on patch embroidery backing or prepare it for sew on patch embroidery machine use. We will also discuss the right embroidery stabilizer for patches and patch making supplies embroidery.

How To Make A Patch With Embroidery Machine
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Getting Ready to Make Your Patch

Before you start, gather what you need. Having all your patch making supplies embroidery ready makes the process smooth. Think about the patch you want to make. What will it look like? How big will it be?

Picking What You Will Use

You need a few things to make a patch with your embroidery machine.

Embroidery Machine: You need a machine that can sew designs. Most home embroidery machines can do this.
Patch Material: This is the fabric you will sew your design onto. Felt, twill, canvas, or even thick cotton work well.
Embroidery Thread: Choose good quality thread. Rayon or polyester thread looks bright and is strong. Pick colors for your design.
Stabilizer: This is very important for patches. embroidery stabilizer for patches keeps your fabric still while the machine sews. It stops the fabric from pulling or puckering. You will likely need a strong type.
Topping (Optional): This thin plastic film goes on top of fuzzy fabric. It helps stitches stand out.
Backing Material (Optional): If you want an iron on patch embroidery patch, you need iron-on adhesive film. If you want a sew on patch embroidery machine patch, you might just leave the fabric backing or add a clean edge.
Sharp Scissors: Small, sharp scissors are best for cutting around the finished patch.
Heat Press or Iron (for iron-on): To attach the iron-on backing or apply the patch.
Embroidery Hoop: To hold your fabric and stabilizer tight.
Design File: The picture or words you want to sew, made into a special file for your machine.
Computer and Software: To make or change your design file. This is where embroidery software for patches comes in.

Finding the Right Fabric

The fabric you pick for your patch is key. It needs to hold up to lots of stitches. It should not stretch too much.

Felt: This is a popular choice. It is thick and does not fray (edges don’t come apart). It is easy to cut around.
Twill: This is like the fabric used for many store-bought patches. It is strong and durable. It might need a border stitch to keep edges neat if not using felt or a cut-away method.
Canvas: A sturdy fabric. Good for patches that need to be tough.
Vinyl or Faux Leather: Can make unique patches. Need the right needle and stabilizer.

Test a small piece of fabric first if you are unsure.

Picking the Best Stabilizer

embroidery stabilizer for patches is critical. It gives the fabric body and keeps stitches from sinking in or making the fabric crinkle. Patches use a lot of stitches in a small area. This puts stress on the fabric.

There are different types of stabilizers.

Cut-Away Stabilizer: You cut this away from the back of the patch after sewing. It stays partly under the stitches. It gives the most support. It is often the best choice for patches, especially if the fabric is stretchy or the design is dense.
Tear-Away Stabilizer: You can tear this away from the back. It is easier to remove but gives less support than cut-away. Might work for simple designs on very stable fabrics, but cut-away is usually better for patch making.
Wash-Away Stabilizer: This dissolves in water. Used mostly on top of fabric (as a topping) or for delicate items. Not usually the main stabilizer for patches, as you need support to stay there.
Heat-Away Stabilizer: This melts away with heat. Used for certain projects.

For patches, a medium to heavy-weight cut-away stabilizer is often recommended. Sometimes, using two layers of a medium-weight cut-away stabilizer gives enough support. Hoop the stabilizer and the patch fabric together very tightly.

Making Your Patch Design

Now, let’s talk about the design itself. This is where you decide what your patch will look like. Will it be a picture, words, or both?

Grasping How to Design

To make a patch with your embroidery machine, you need a special file. This file tells the machine exactly where to put each stitch, in what color, and in what order. This is called digitizing. digitizing embroidery patches is the process of turning your image or logo into stitches.

You use embroidery software for patches on a computer to do this. Some machines come with basic software. More advanced software offers many tools to create complex designs.

Steps in making your design file:

Start with an Image: You might draw something or use a picture you found. The clearer the picture, the easier it is to digitize.
Use Embroidery Software: Open your image in the software.
Tell Software About Stitches: You use tools in the software to draw over your image. You tell the software where to put fill stitches (to color in areas), satin stitches (for outlines and letters), or running stitches (for fine details).
Set Stitch Angles and Density: You tell the software how close together the stitches should be (density) and in what direction they should go (angle). This affects how the patch looks and feels. Dense stitches make the patch stiff.
Choose Colors: Pick the thread colors you will use. The software shows you how the design will look in those colors.
Add a Border: Patches usually have a border around the edge. This border serves two purposes:
- It gives the machine an outline to follow for placing the patch fabric.
- It creates a clean edge on the finished patch, hiding where you cut the fabric.
A satin stitch border is common. It is a thick, close stitch that wraps around the edge. The software helps you create this.
Save the File: Save the design in a format your embroidery machine can read. Common formats include PES, JEF, EXP, DST, HUS, etc. Check your machine’s manual.

Choosing Embroidery Software

The embroidery software for patches you use depends on your machine and your needs.

Basic Software: Often included with machines. Good for simple text or arranging pre-made designs. May not have full digitizing tools.
Mid-Level Software: More features for editing designs, adding lettering, and some basic digitizing.
Advanced Software: Full digitizing capabilities. Lets you create designs from scratch. Often used by people making patches to sell.

Some popular software brands include Embrilliance, Hatch, Wilcom, and Brother PE-Design.

If you don’t want to digitize yourself, you can buy pre-made patch designs online. You can also pay someone who offers digitizing embroidery patches services to turn your logo into a stitch file.

What About Applique Patches?

You can also make an applique patch embroidery machine. Applique is adding one piece of fabric on top of another and sewing around its edge. For a patch, this might mean cutting a shape from one fabric and sewing it onto your main patch fabric using the machine.

Making an applique patch embroidery machine involves:

Digitizing: The design file will have steps for placing and trimming the applique fabric.
Machine Stops: The machine sews an outline, stops for you to place the applique fabric, sews another stitch to hold it, stops for you to trim the fabric closely, then sews the final satin stitch border around the applique shape.
Patch Border: You still add the outer border for the whole patch at the end.

Applique can add texture and save stitches compared to filling large areas with embroidery.

Setting Up Your Machine

With your design ready and supplies gathered, it is time to set up your embroidery machine.

Preparing the Hoop

Getting the fabric and stabilizer in the hoop correctly is very important.

Layer Stabilizer: Place your cut-away stabilizer down first. Make sure it is bigger than your hoop.
Add Patch Fabric: Place your patch fabric on top of the stabilizer. Center it where you want your design to go. Make sure the fabric is also bigger than your design area.
Hoop Everything Tightly: Put the outer part of the hoop over the fabric and stabilizer. Press down firmly and tighten the screw. The fabric and stabilizer should be drum-tight. There should be no wrinkles or looseness. This stops the fabric from shifting while sewing. Shifting ruins patches.

Loading the Design

Now, get the design file into your machine.

Connect Device: Use a USB stick or cable to connect your computer to your machine, or insert a card with the file.
Find File: Browse the machine’s menu to find your design file.
Load Design: Select the file and load it.
Check Placement: The machine screen will show the design. Check its size and position. Use the machine’s tools to move the design on the screen if needed so it will sew in the center of your hooped fabric. Some machines let you sew a test outline (a basting box) to check placement before sewing the actual design. Sew the basting box on the stabilizer only to confirm position.

Setting Thread Colors

Your design file has color stops. The machine will pause when it is time to change thread color.

Load First Color: Thread your machine with the first color your design needs.
Follow Machine Steps: The machine will guide you through the color changes.

Sewing the Patch Design

This is the exciting part! The machine does the work.

Starting the Sewing Process

Attach Hoop: Put the hooped fabric and stabilizer onto your machine. Make sure it is locked in place.
Lower Presser Foot: Lower the foot that holds the fabric down.
Start Machine: Press the start button. The machine will begin sewing the design.

Watching the Machine

Keep an eye on the machine as it sews.

Watch Thread: Make sure the thread does not break. If it does, stop the machine, re-thread, and restart from the point it stopped.
Check Tension: Look at the stitches on both the top and the bottom of the fabric. They should look balanced. If the bobbin thread is showing on top or the top thread is showing on the bottom, you might need to adjust tension.
Color Changes: The machine will stop for color changes. Follow the machine’s instructions to change the thread.

For patches, the sewing order is usually:

Placement Stitch: A loose stitch line showing where the patch outline is.
Design Fill: All the stitches for the main part of the design (letters, pictures).
Border Stitch: The final satin stitch border that goes around the edge of the design. This is critical for defining the patch edge.

If you are making an applique patch embroidery machine, there will be extra stops for placing and trimming the applique fabric before the final border.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Thread Breaks Often: Check if the machine is threaded right. Is the needle old or bent? Is the thread good quality? Is the tension okay?
Fabric Puckering: Is the stabilizer strong enough? Is the fabric hooped tightly? Did you use too many stitches (design is too dense)?
Design Not Centered: Did you check placement before starting? You might need to sew a test stitch outline next time.

Most problems with patches come from using the wrong stabilizer or not hooping tightly enough.

Finishing Your Embroidered Patches

Once the machine finishes sewing, your patch is almost done! The last steps are about getting it ready to be used. This is how to finish embroidered patches.

Taking it Off the Machine and Hoop

Lift Presser Foot: Raise the presser foot.
Remove Hoop: Take the hoop off the machine.
Remove Fabric: Release the fabric and stabilizer from the hoop.

Trimming the Stabilizer

Cut Away Stabilizer: Turn the hooped fabric over. Carefully cut away the excess cut-away stabilizer from the back. Be careful not to cut the fabric or the stitches. Leave about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of stabilizer around the design edge. This remaining stabilizer helps the patch keep its shape.

Cutting Out the Patch

Now, you need to cut the patch shape out of the fabric.

Cut Around Border: Use sharp scissors to cut closely around the outer border of your embroidered design.
Cut Carefully: Take your time. The goal is to cut just outside the satin stitch border without cutting into the stitches. This gives you a clean edge. The satin stitch border helps prevent the fabric edges from fraying.

Your embroidered patch is now cut out! It has a neat edge thanks to the satin border.

Adding a Backing (Optional)

How you plan to attach the patch decides the backing. This is how to finish embroidered patches depending on their use.

For Sew-On Patches (sew on patch embroidery machine): If you plan to sew the patch onto something, you can just leave it as is. The back will show the stabilizer and thread. You might want to trim the stabilizer even more neatly. You will sew the patch onto clothes or bags using a sewing machine or by hand, usually right along the edge of the embroidered border.
For Iron-On Patches (iron on patch embroidery): You need to add an iron-on adhesive film to the back.
1. Cut Adhesive: Get a roll or sheet of heat-activated adhesive (like HeatnBond UltraHold or similar). Cut a piece slightly smaller than your patch shape. You don’t want adhesive sticking out the sides.
2. Place Adhesive: Put the rough, adhesive side of the film onto the back of your patch (the stabilizer side).
3. Apply Heat (First Side): Follow the adhesive product’s instructions. Usually, you heat it with an iron or heat press for a few seconds to stick it to the patch back. Do not iron directly onto the adhesive side. Place a paper or fabric over it.
4. Peel Paper: Let it cool a moment. Peel off the paper backing from the adhesive film. Now the back of your patch has a shiny, sticky surface.

Your iron on patch embroidery is now ready to be ironed onto clothing.

Sealing the Edges (Optional)

For extra durability, especially if the fabric might fray, you can add a little fabric glue or fray-check along the cut edge on the back of the patch before adding the iron-on backing. This helps lock those fabric fibers under the border.

Bringing Your Custom Patch to Life

You have learned how to make a patch with embroidery machine from start to finish. You can now create custom embroidered patches for any purpose. The process covers picking patch making supplies embroidery, using embroidery software for patches for digitizing embroidery patches, setting up your machine with embroidery stabilizer for patches, sewing the design (maybe an applique patch embroidery machine!), and how to finish embroidered patches for iron on patch embroidery or sew on patch embroidery machine use.

Making patches is a great embroidery machine patch tutorial project. It lets you get creative and make something truly yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make the patch stiff?

Using a strong, heavy-weight cut-away stabilizer is the best way to make the patch stiff. You can also use multiple layers of stabilizer. The density of the stitches in your design also adds stiffness. More stitches packed closely together result in a firmer patch.

Can I put a patch on any fabric?

You can attach patches to many fabrics. For iron-on patches, the fabric needs to handle the heat of an iron or heat press. Delicate fabrics like silk or some synthetics might melt. Sew-on patches can go on almost any fabric that you can sew through. Thick items like leather might need a special needle.

What is the best way to cut around the patch?

Use small, very sharp scissors. Curved embroidery scissors can help you cut smoothly around rounded edges. Cut slowly and carefully, staying just outside the satin stitch border. Do not cut into the stitches.

Why did my fabric pucker?

Fabric puckering is usually from not enough support or the fabric not being hooped tightly. Make sure your embroidery stabilizer for patches is strong enough for the stitch count. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer very, very tight, like a drum. Sometimes, the design might be too dense for the fabric/stabilizer combo.

Do I need special thread for patches?

High-quality embroidery thread (rayon or polyester) works well. Polyester is often stronger and more fade-resistant, good for items that will be washed or worn outside a lot. Use a needle that matches your thread size and fabric. A sharp embroidery needle is usually a good choice.

Can I wash embroidered patches?

Yes, once attached to clothing, you can usually wash items with embroidered patches. If you used iron-on backing, washing too often in hot water or using a hot dryer might loosen the adhesive over time. Sew-on patches are generally more durable through many washes. Always check the care instructions for the garment and any specific instructions for the patch materials you used.

How do I make patches in different shapes?

Your embroidery software for patches lets you create designs in any shape you want. You simply design the artwork in that shape and add a border around it in the same shape. When you finish (how to finish embroidered patches), you cut along that border shape.

What is the difference between a patch and direct embroidery?

Direct embroidery means sewing the design right onto the item of clothing or fabric. A patch is sewn onto a separate piece of fabric (the patch material) first, then cut out, and then attached to the item. Patches can be made ahead of time and added later. They also work well for items that are hard to hoop directly, like hats or thick jackets.