How to Make Your Own Embroidered Patches

Embroidered patches are a fun, creative way to add personal flair to your clothes, bags, and accessories. Whether you're looking to revamp an old jacket or showcase your unique style, making your own embroidered patch is an easy and enjoyable DIY project. And the best part? You only need a few simple materials like fabric and thread, all of which are easily available at any local store.

Let’s discuss more about embroidered patches, which fabric and tools you need to make them, and how you can make your own personalized embroidered patch. You may also want to know how to iron-on patches and how to remove iron-on patches.

An embroidered patch, also called a cloth patch, is a small design stitched onto a piece of fabric. This can be done by hand or with an embroidery machine. Originally, these embroidered patches were handcrafted, but today, you can easily make them with modern tools.

Embroidered patches can be used to create fashion trends and festive designs. However, you can also customize them to make your fashion stand out.

Additionally, you can use embroidered patches to raise awareness about what you do. Using customizable embroidered patch designs enables you to create badges and logos that can market your brand.

The most common types of embroidered patches are:

Here is an in-depth review of each type:

Iron-on embroidered patches are fast and easy to attach to fabric. They are created using a simple pattern, fabric, and a paper-backed fusible material or bonding agent like iron-on backing or ultrahold. The bonding material is attached to the embroidery fabric by pressing using an iron box.

After pressing with an iron box, you simply remove the bonding agent by peeling off the paper on the back of the embroidered patch. You can now attach the embroidered patch to your garment. You also have to iron the front and the back of the garment, where the embroidered patch is attached, to fuse the embroidered patch completely.

You can also use a sew-on patch, which mostly works on smooth and non-stretchy materials like felt fabric. A sew-on patch requires minimal edge finishing since you’re using fabric that won’t fray. Since it is sewn in place, you’re sure that your stitched embroidered patch won’t go anywhere.

To make a sew-on patch, you need a felt fabric, a pen to draw your design on the fabric, and a thread and needle to attach the embroidered patch.

If you want a permanent embroidered patch that attaches to your garment like a sticker, you can use self-adhesive embroidered patches. You only need a fabric, a stabilizer, and a permanent self-adhesive.

The adhesive vinyl is attached to the back of the embroidered patch. You can ensure that the adhesive is permanently attached by pressing with an iron box. Remember that this embroidered patch is permanent. Therefore, removing the patch after attaching it can be quite difficult.

If you want to attend a one-day event, you can make a temporary embroidered patch that works like a badge. To make removable pin embroidered patches, you need a fabric and a bar-style pinback.

The bar-style pinback is sewn on the back of the embroidered patch and is used to attach and detach from any garment or accessory you need it on.

Before making an embroidered patch, you need to ensure that you can stitch onto the fabric you use to ensure vivid, durable designs. The best material to use for embroidered patches is felt fabric. Unlike many other materials, felt doesn’t fray. As a result, you can stitch your embroidered patch and keep the edges tidy.

However, you can use other fabrics provided they are medium-weight and non-stretchy. These fabrics include cotton, suede, and flannel. You can also use patch twill, which is a fabric with a layer of iron-on glue attached to it. It is smooth and can hold up the stitches.

Embroidered patches aren’t just trendy— they’re practical too! From covering small holes in your favorite jacket to creating bold fashion statements, embroidered patches offer versatility. You can use them to express your personality, commemorate special moments, or even market your brand with customized badges and logos.

Embroidered patches are fashion accessories that can withstand the test of time. Many fashion trends have come and gone, but embroidered patches always remain. You can customize your clothes, hats, shoes, bags, gifts, and other accessories to suit certain fashion trends.

One of the ways you can decorate your accessories is by using embroidered patches. Embroidered patches add color and personalized themes to create a beautiful and meaningful appearance. You can also customize the art on the embroidered patch.

If you have old garments that you need to upscale, you can use embroidered patches to cover any holes or worn-out sections. Embroidered patches provide a cover for these holes while making your clothes appealing.

Embroidered patches are common among the police and military. In both, they are used to represent the rank of the officer. You can also find them in companies and institutions, where they are used as commemoration. 

Sew-on and iron-on embroidered patches are among the easiest embroidered patches you can make at home. You can make these embroidered patches either by hand or using an embroidery machine. You can use any method depending on the tools you have.

If you’re skilled in sewing by hand, you can use hand embroidery. Using hand embroidery is easier since you just need a needle, thread, fabric, and a pair of scissors. On the other hand, using machine embroidery requires you to have more equipment like a hoop embroidery machine and water soluble stabilizer. However, this process can be faster.

Let’s compare the two methods using the table below:

Hand embroidery is a popular method. It involves stitching your embroidered patch design onto your fabric using a needle and thread. It is an easy process and depends on the complexity of your embroidered patch design.

To get started with hand embroidery, you'll need basic tools like a needle and embroidery thread, an embroidery hoop to keep your fabric taut, a bonding agent like adhesive vinyl, and sharp scissors for precise cutting. Here is a quick list of these items for your convenience:

After assembling these tools, it’s time to make your custom embroidered patch. Here are the steps you should follow:

Place your fabric on the hoop and tighten the embroidery hoop. Trace your design around the hoop using a pen. This process transfers the design onto the fabric.

Unhoop the fabric and place it on the hoop again with the design outside. Tighten the hoop again.

Get three strands of embroidery floss ready.

Stitch the embroidery floss around your design using a sharp embroidery needle.

Remove the fabric out of the embroidered patch from the embroidery hook and trim off any excess pieces of fabric.

Get your double-sided adhesive and trace the shape of your embroidered patch. Make the adhesive smaller than your embroidered patch so that it doesn’t go over the edges. Cut the shape using scissors. 

Attach double-sided adhesive to the back of your embroidered patch and press with an iron box to affix it.

Let the embroidered patch cool down before peeling off the piece of adhesive paper.

You can now attach the embroidered patch onto your fabric. Press the inside and outside of the fabric with an iron box again to permanently attach the embroidered patch.

Rethread your needle and stitch around the edges of the embroidered patch to strengthen its bond with the fabric.

Your embroidered patch is now ready! Add it to any fabric you desire.

For precision and detail, using machine embroidery is your go-to method. Using a machine ensures that your embroidered patch design is transferred with uniformity and consistency across the fabric.

To use an embroidery machine, you need the following tools:

Let’s get started with the embroidery process:

Cut a piece of fabric using your scissors into a shape and size that can fit into the embroidery machine. 

Use adhesive to stick the fabric onto the stabilizer. You can also use several pieces of tape. Using tape helps you tuck down your piece of fabric on the hoop embroidery machine.

Stitch the fabric according to your design using a sewing machine. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can use a needle and thread to stitch the fabric.

Unhoop the embroidered patch and remove the stabilizer or badgemaster and let it dry off.

Cut the stitched fabric along the edges of your design. You’ll be left with your embroidered patch.

We are now left with a designed embroidered patch. Attach it to a bonding agent. If you are using an iron-on backing, place the embroidered patch on the iron-on backing and cut the backing all around in the shape of the embroidered patch. Then, attach the backing to the back of the embroidered patch.

To fuse the embroidered patch on the iron-on backing, place it and the attached backing on a flat surface. 

You can now place it on your fabric and go over it with a hot iron box. Before pressing the embroidered patch with the iron box, you can place a pressing cloth or any smooth piece of fabric on top of it. Press firmly on the front and the back of your embroidered patch.

After pressing the embroidered patch, let it dry for about 5 minutes and remove the paper backing.

Turn it over to see your beautiful embroidered patch.

You will be left with the iron-on on the back.

Whether you're personalizing a bag, adding flair to a jacket, or crafting gifts for friends, creating embroidered patches is a fun, satisfying way to express your style. Plus, you can easily customize your embroidered patches to reflect your mood, interests, or favorite designs!

Now, you have all you need to try out this cool decoration method. Follow the steps in this guide, and you'll be on your way to making custom patches that suit your style! What embroidered patch idea is bobbing in your mind right now? Try it out!