Easy Way To Make Embroidery Patches By Hand At Home

Making your own embroidery patches by hand is a fun and rewarding craft. It lets you put your own designs on clothes, bags, or hats. You can make them for yourself or as special gifts. This guide will show you a simple way to make custom hand embroidered patches right at home. It’s a perfect project for beginners or anyone who loves to stitch!

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Gather Your Craft Supplies

Before you start stitching, you need to get your tools and materials ready. Having everything in one spot makes the process much smoother. You don’t need fancy equipment. Simple craft items you might already have are enough.

What You Need

Here is a list of the main things you will need:

• Fabric: A sturdy fabric for the main part of your patch. Cotton twill or canvas works well. Felt fabric is also a great option, especially for the backing.
• Embroidery Floss: This is the colorful thread you will use for stitching. It comes in many colors. You will need colors for your design.
• Embroidery Hoop: A round or oval frame. It holds your fabric tight while you stitch. This makes stitching much easier and neater.
• Embroidery Needle: A sharp needle with a larger eye. The large eye lets the embroidery floss pass through easily. Needles come in different sizes. Pick one that fits your floss.
• Fabric Stabilizer: This is a special material you put under your fabric. It makes the fabric stronger. It stops the fabric from stretching or puckering while you stitch. There are different kinds. Some wash away. Some iron on. Some stick on. A simple iron-on or tear-away type is good for patches.
• Scissors: You will need two pairs. Small, sharp scissors are best for cutting thread cleanly. Larger scissors are good for cutting fabric.
• Design Transfer Tool: A pen or pencil that you can see on your fabric. Heat-erasable pens or water-soluble pens are helpful. They let you draw your design. The marks disappear later.
• Paper: For drawing your design.
• Felt Fabric (Optional but Recommended): This is great for the patch backing. It gives the patch structure.
• Iron-On Patch Backing (Optional): This is a special adhesive sheet. You can iron it onto the back of your finished patch. It lets you iron the patch onto clothes or bags. It’s an easy way to attach your DIY embroidered patch.
• Iron and Ironing Board (If using iron-on materials): For the stabilizer or iron-on backing.

Collect all these items before you start. This saves you time later. Getting ready is part of the fun!

Choose Your Patch Picture

What picture do you want on your patch? This is where you can be creative! Think about things you like. Maybe a simple shape, a letter, or a small drawing.

Finding Design Ideas

Look for simple pictures. Complex designs with lots of tiny details can be hard to stitch by hand.
Good ideas include:

• Simple hearts or stars.
• Letters or initials.
• Small flowers or leaves.
• Basic animal shapes.
• Geometric patterns.
• Simple logos or symbols.

You can find ideas online. Look at pictures of simple drawings or coloring book pages.

Making Your Own Picture

Draw your own design on paper. Keep it simple. Draw it the size you want your finished patch to be. Remember, you will be filling it in with stitches. A design that is too small or too detailed will be hard to stitch well. Practice drawing it a few times. Make the lines clear and easy to see. This drawing will be your guide for tracing embroidery designs onto your fabric.

Put Your Design on Fabric

Now you need to get your chosen picture onto the fabric. This step needs care. The lines you draw will guide your stitches.

Using a Tracing Method

There are different ways to transfer your design.

1. Light Box or Window Method:

   • Draw your design on paper. Make the lines dark.
   • Place your fabric over the design. You should be able to see the design through the fabric. If the fabric is dark, this method might not work well.
   • Put the paper and fabric on a light box. Or tape them to a sunny window during the day.
   • Use your transfer pen or pencil. Trace the design lines onto your fabric.
   • Go slowly and trace carefully. Make sure you get all the lines you need.

2. Transfer Paper Method:

   • You can buy special transfer paper for fabric. It looks like carbon paper.
   • Put your fabric down first.
   • Place the transfer paper on top of the fabric. The colored side should face down.
   • Put your design paper on top of the transfer paper.
   • Use a stylus or a pen (that is not inky) to trace over the lines of your design. Press firmly.
   • This pressing transfers the color from the transfer paper onto your fabric.
   • Lift the papers carefully to see your traced design.

3. Heat Transfer Pen Method:

   • Use a heat transfer pen to draw your design directly onto thin paper.
   • Place the paper design-down on your fabric.
   • Press with a warm iron. The heat transfers the ink from the paper to the fabric. Follow the pen’s instructions carefully.

Pick the method that works best for your fabric and tools. Make sure the lines are clear enough for you to stitch over. This tracing embroidery designs step is key for a good result.

Prepping Your Fabric

Before you trace, make sure your fabric is smooth. You can iron it gently if it is wrinkled. Cut a piece of fabric that is a few inches bigger than your design on all sides. This extra space is important. It gives you room to work with the embroidery hoop later. It also leaves space for cutting patch shapes after you finish stitching.

Set Up for Stitching

Getting your fabric and stabilizer ready is the next step. This makes the stitching process much easier.

Using a Fabric Stabilizer

A fabric stabilizer is really helpful for hand embroidery. It supports the fabric. It stops the fabric from getting stretched or distorted as you pull the needle and thread through.

1. Choose Your Stabilizer: As mentioned before, different kinds exist.

   • Tear-Away: You iron it onto the back of the fabric or put it under the fabric in the hoop. When done stitching, you just tear the excess stabilizer away.
   • Wash-Away: You put it under or on top of the fabric. When done stitching, you wash the patch. The stabilizer dissolves in water.
   • Iron-On: You iron it onto the back of your fabric before putting it in the hoop. This adds firmness to the fabric.

2. Attach the Stabilizer: Follow the instructions for your specific stabilizer. For iron-on types, cut a piece slightly larger than your fabric. Place it on the back of your fabric. Iron it on according to the product directions. For tear-away or wash-away used in the hoop, you might just place it under your fabric when you put the fabric in the hoop.

Using a fabric stabilizer is a simple step. But it makes a big difference in how your finished patch looks. It helps your stitches lay flat and even.

Putting Fabric in the Hoop

The embroidery hoop holds your fabric tight like a drum. This tension is very important for neat stitches.

1. Separate the Hoop: An embroidery hoop has two parts: an inner ring and an outer ring. The outer ring has a screw or clip. Loosen the screw to separate the two rings.
2. Place the Inner Ring: Lay the inner ring on a flat surface.
3. Place the Fabric: Put your fabric over the inner ring. Make sure your traced design is in the center of the hoop.
4. Place the Outer Ring: Put the outer ring over the fabric and the inner ring. Push the outer ring down. It should fit snugly over the inner ring and capture the fabric between them.
5. Tighten the Hoop: Gently pull the edges of the fabric sticking out around the hoop. Pull evenly until the fabric is taut. It should feel like a drumhead. Tighten the screw on the outer ring. Don’t pull too hard or the fabric might warp. Just pull until the fabric is smooth and tight.
6. Check Tension: Tap the fabric in the center of the hoop. It should sound tight, not loose or baggy. If it’s loose, loosen the screw, pull the fabric again, and re-tighten.

Your fabric is now ready for stitching! The embroidery hoop holds it perfectly for your hand sewing stitches.

Start Stitching Your Patch

Now for the fun part – adding color and texture with embroidery floss!

Picking Embroidery Floss Colors

Embroidery floss comes as a bundle of 6 strands. You will usually use fewer strands for stitching. The number of strands you use changes how thick your stitches look.

• Use 2-3 strands for fine details and thin lines.
• Use 4-6 strands for thicker lines or filling in areas quickly.

Choose colors that match your design idea. You can use lots of colors or just a few. Think about how the colors will look together. Separate the strands carefully from the bundle. To do this, hold the bundle at one end. Pull one strand away slowly. It will slide out without tangling the others. Thread your needle with the chosen number of strands. Leave a tail of a few inches at the end for starting your stitch. You can tie a small knot at the end of the floss for starting, or use knotless starting methods if you prefer.

Simple Hand Sewing Stitches to Use

For a patch, you will likely use a few basic embroidery stitches. These stitches are easy to learn and look great.

Back Stitch

• How to do it:
  1. Bring your needle and floss up from the back of the fabric at point A.
  2. Go down into the fabric at point B, a short distance from A.
  3. Bring your needle up from the back at point C, a short distance from B. C should be the same distance from B as B is from A. C is often about halfway between A and B if you were stitching forward.
  4. Go down into the fabric at point A (the end of the last stitch).
  5. Bring your needle up at point D, a short distance from C.
  6. Go down into the fabric at point C.
     * This stitch makes a solid line. It is great for outlines and text.
     

Satin Stitch

• How to do it:
  1. Bring your needle and floss up from the back at point A, on one edge of the shape you want to fill.
  2. Go down into the fabric at point B, directly across from A on the opposite edge of the shape.
  3. Bring your needle up from the back at point C, very close to A, next to your first stitch.
  4. Go down into the fabric at point D, directly across from C, next to point B.
     * Repeat, laying stitches closely side-by-side. The goal is to cover the area completely with smooth, flat stitches that are touching. This stitch is used for filling in areas with solid color. Keep the tension even so the stitches look smooth.

Outline Stitch

• How to do it:
  1. Bring your needle up at point A.
  2. Take the thread to the side and hold it there with your thumb.
  3. Insert the needle back down at point B (a short distance from A) and come up at point C (halfway between A and B, keeping the thread loop under the needle).
  4. Pull the thread through gently.
  5. Repeat, inserting the needle down a bit further along your line and coming up halfway back, always keeping the working thread to the same side.
     * This stitch makes a rope-like line. It is good for curved lines and outlines.

Other stitches like the Chain Stitch or Split Stitch can also be used for outlines or filling. French Knots can add small dots of texture. Choose stitches that match the look you want for your patch.

Stitching Your Design

Start stitching from the center of your design or from one edge. Work your way across. Use the hand sewing stitches you chose to fill in shapes and create outlines.

• Outlines first? Some people like to stitch all the outlines first. Then they fill in the shapes.
• Fill then outline? Others fill in areas first. Then they add outlines to make the shapes pop.
• Be neat on the back: Try to keep the back of your work as neat as possible. This is less critical for a patch than for something like a tea towel, but a neater back means fewer snags later. When starting a new thread, you can run it under a few existing stitches on the back. When ending a thread, run it under a few stitches on the back and snip the end.

Take your time stitching. Enjoy the process. Making a custom hand embroidered piece takes patience. If you make a mistake, you can carefully unpick stitches.

Make the Edge Look Nice

Once you have finished all your stitching within the design, the embroidered part is done! But the patch isn’t finished yet. You need to make the edge neat before cutting it out. This stops the fabric from fraying later.

Stitching Around the Edge

Decide what shape you want your patch to be. It could be a circle, a square, a heart, or follow the shape of your design. Draw this final shape on the fabric around your stitching. Leave a small border of plain fabric around your embroidered picture. About a quarter to half an inch is usually good.

You will stitch just inside this line that you drew. This stitching will be the border of your patch.

Using a Border Stitch

A simple Back Stitch or a Running Stitch can work for the border. A Satin Stitch can also make a thick, solid edge. But a popular and strong stitch for patch edges is the Whip Stitch or Blanket Stitch.

• Whip Stitch (Around an edge after cutting): This stitch is often used after you cut the patch shape out. It goes around the raw edge.

  1. Bring the needle up from the back near the edge.
  2. Loop the thread around the edge and insert the needle down from the front, very close to where you came up.
  3. Bring the needle up again right next to the first stitch, towards your working direction.
  4. Repeat, wrapping the thread around the edge with each stitch. This creates a simple overcast edge.

• Blanket Stitch (Around an edge before or after cutting): This stitch creates a loop edge. It looks very clean.

  1. Bring your needle up from the back near the edge of the shape line you drew.
  2. Insert the needle back down a short distance away along the line.
  3. Bring the needle up again just inside the edge of the fabric, below where you just went down. Before pulling the thread tight, make sure the loop of the working thread is under the needle.
  4. Pull the needle through the loop. This creates a small “L” shape or blanket edge stitch.
  5. Repeat, making stitches evenly spaced along the line.

It’s often easier to stitch the border before you cut the final patch shape. Stitch the border stitch around the line you drew on your fabric. This line shows the size and shape of your finished patch. The stitches should be close together to cover the edge area well.

Once you have stitched completely around your shape, your embroidered design is complete within its border. You can now remove the fabric from the embroidery hoop. Carefully trim away any excess fabric stabilizer from the back.

Cutting Out Your Patch Shape

Your embroidered design has a border stitched around it. Now you need to cut out the final patch shape. This step needs steady hands and sharp scissors. This is where you finish defining the look of your DIY embroidered patch.

How to Cut Neatly

Use sharp fabric scissors for this part.

1. Find your border: Look for the line you drew for your patch shape or the border stitches you made.
2. Cut outside the border: Cut carefully around your embroidered shape. Leave a small margin of fabric outside your border stitches. This margin should be small, maybe 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch. This little bit of extra fabric helps hold the stitches on the edge and makes it easier to add a backing.
3. Cut slowly: Do not rush. Cut smoothly following your shape line. If you cut inside your border stitches, the stitches might unravel.
4. Corners and curves: Take extra care when cutting corners or curves. Small snips work better than trying to cut a long curve in one go.
5. Clean edges: Aim for a clean, even cut all around.

Once you are done cutting patch shapes, you have the basic embroidered part of your patch ready! It’s looking good, but it needs a backing to be complete and sturdy.

Add a Backing to Your Patch

Adding a backing makes your patch stronger and more professional-looking. It also covers the stitches on the back of your embroidery. You have a couple of good options for backing.

Using Felt Fabric

Felt is a great material for patch backings. It is soft, easy to cut, and doesn’t fray.

1. Cut the felt: Place your cut embroidery patch on top of a piece of felt fabric. Use the patch as a template. Cut the felt slightly smaller than your embroidered patch. You want the felt backing to be hidden behind the patch edge.
2. Attach the felt: You can attach the felt backing by sewing it on. Use needle and thread. Stitch around the edge of the felt and the embroidered patch. Use small, neat stitches. You can use a simple running stitch or whip stitch near the edge. Stitching close to the edge of the felt will secure it neatly to the back of the patch. Make sure your stitches don’t show on the front of the patch.

This gives your patch a soft, stable back. It’s ready to be sewn onto something else.

Adding Iron-On Patch Backing

If you want to iron your patch onto fabric instead of sewing it every time, you can add iron-on patch backing. This is a special sheet with adhesive on one side.

1. Cut the iron-on backing: Trace the shape of your finished, cut embroidery patch onto the paper side of the iron-on patch backing material. Cut out this shape. Cut it slightly smaller than your patch, just like with the felt. This stops the adhesive from showing or sticking to your ironing board.
2. Attach to patch: Place the iron-on backing piece onto the back of your embroidered patch. The adhesive side should be against the fabric.
3. Iron it on: Follow the instructions that came with your iron-on backing. Usually, you place the patch (with the backing piece on it) face up on your ironing board. Place a pressing cloth (a thin piece of cotton fabric) over the patch to protect the embroidery. Press down with a warm iron. Do not slide the iron. Hold it in place for the time recommended by the product instructions (often 10-20 seconds). Let it cool completely. You might need to press again.
4. Test the bond: Once cool, check if the backing is firmly stuck to the patch fabric. If parts are loose, press again.

Now your custom hand embroidered patch has an iron-on backing! It’s ready to be heated and stuck onto clothing, bags, or anything else you want to decorate. Remember that for things that will be washed often, sewing the patch on after ironing can make it more secure.

Your Patch is Done!

You have made your own embroidered patch by hand! It started as just thread and fabric. Now it’s a unique piece of art you created.

Showing Off Your Custom Hand Embroidered Work

Your DIY embroidered patch is ready to be used. Sew it onto your jacket, backpack, jeans, or hat. Give it as a gift. Each patch you make will be unique. It will have the look of being truly custom hand embroidered. This shows care and skill.

Making patches this way is a great way to practice your embroidery skills. You can try different designs, colors, and stitches. Each patch is a small project. It’s easy to finish and feel proud of.

Hints for Great Patches

Here are a few extra tips to help you make the best patches:

• Keep stitches tight but not too tight: Pull your stitches enough so they lay flat. But don’t pull so hard that the fabric puckers or the threads break.
• Use enough floss: Thread your needle with a length of floss that is easy to work with. Too long and it tangles. Too short and you change thread often. About 18-24 inches is usually good.
• Use good lighting: See your stitches clearly to keep them even and neat.
• Practice: Your first patch might not be perfect. That is okay! Keep practicing. Each patch will get better.
• Get creative with shapes: Don’t just stick to circles or squares. Cut your patch into fun shapes that match your design.
• Mix techniques: You can combine embroidery with fabric paint, applique, or other crafts for unique patches.
• Wash fabric first: If you are using new cotton fabric, wash it before you start. This pre-shrinks it. It helps prevent the patch from looking puckered after washing later.

Making patches by hand is a flexible hobby. You can make simple ones quickly or spend more time on detailed designs.

Answers to Common Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use regular sewing thread instead of embroidery floss?
A: Embroidery floss is best. It is thicker and has more strands. This gives your stitches a nice, full look. Regular sewing thread is much thinner. Your stitches might not show up as well.

Q: How do I make sure my stitches are even?
A: Practice helps a lot. Try to make each stitch the same length. Pull the thread with the same gentle strength each time. Using an embroidery hoop that keeps the fabric very tight also helps stitches lay flat and even.

Q: What kind of felt fabric is best for backing?
A: Craft felt made from acrylic or polyester works well. It is inexpensive and durable. Wool felt is also good, but it costs more.

Q: How do I make a patch waterproof?
A: Hand embroidered patches are not usually waterproof on their own. The stitching creates small holes. You could try applying a waterproof sealant spray after the patch is finished. Test it on a scrap first. Keep in mind this might change the feel and look of the floss.

Q: Can I wash a fabric item with an iron-on patch I made?
A: Yes, but wash with care. Turn the item inside out. Use cool water and a gentle cycle. Air drying is best. For items washed often, sewing the edges of the patch down after ironing is highly recommended. This adds extra security.

Q: What if my fabric stabilizer doesn’t come off easily?
A: If it’s a tear-away, make sure you are tearing close to the stitches. If it’s a wash-away, soak the patch longer or use warmer water (if safe for your fabric/floss). For iron-on stabilizers, they are meant to stay on and add stiffness.

Q: My tracing lines didn’t show up well. What can I do?
A: Try a different color transfer pen or pencil that contrasts more with your fabric color. Or try a different transfer method like the window method if your fabric is light enough. Make sure you press hard enough if using transfer paper.

Q: How much embroidery floss do I need?
A: It depends on the size of your design and the stitches you use. Satin stitch uses more floss than an outline stitch for the same area. It’s better to buy a bit extra in the colors you need. Floss is not very expensive.

Making your own embroidered patches by hand is a rewarding craft. With just a few basic materials and simple hand sewing stitches, you can create unique, custom pieces. Get your embroidery hoop ready, pick your favorite embroidery floss colors, and start stitching! The process of tracing embroidery designs, using fabric stabilizer, stitching, cutting patch shapes, and adding felt fabric or iron-on patch backing is an easy way to make your own DIY embroidered patch. Enjoy making something special!