What you need
Making an embroidery patch is a small project that works well for beginners. You can make one by hand or on a machine. Gather:
- Base fabric
- Embroidery hoop (or a machine hoop and stabilizer)
- Embroidery floss or machine thread
- Needle and sharp scissors
- A way to transfer the design
- Backing: felt, fusible interfacing or fusible web
- Optional: fray-prevention liquid, extra thread for the border
Choose a base fabric
The best base fabric is firm, tightly woven and doesn’t fray too easily:
- Felt: doesn’t fray, is easy to cut, and is a popular choice for hand-stitched patches. Offcuts work well; see crafts to make with fabric and material scraps.
- Twill or canvas: stable and strong, often used for traditional patches.
- Cotton or denim: works too, especially with interfacing for stiffness.
Avoid very stretchy or loose fabrics unless you stabilize them. A heavier fabric makes cutting and edging easier. For felt with a fuzzy surface, a stabilizer sheet can help with transferring the design.
Hand embroidery patch step by step
- Pick a simple design. Bold shapes, short text and a clear outline work best. For lettering tips, see fonts for embroidery.
- Cut the fabric larger than the patch. Leave a generous margin around the design so it fits in the hoop and you have room to trim.
- Transfer the design. Use a method suited to your fabric. Our guide to transferring an embroidery pattern compares options.
- Hoop the fabric tightly.
- Stitch. Satin stitch, split stitch, backstitch and fill stitches all work. Dense stitches help the patch hold its shape.
- Back the patch. Remove it from the hoop, then attach a backing to the reverse, such as fusible interfacing or a piece of felt. This adds stiffness and covers the back of the stitching.
Cutting out the patch
Use small, sharp scissors. Cut a small margin outside the stitches, then trim closer, taking care not to snip the embroidery. If you used a fray-prone fabric, leave a slightly wider margin, because you will cover the edge with a border stitch. Cut in smooth passes rather than short snips for cleaner edges.
Finish the edge
Without a finished edge, many fabrics will fray. Options include:
- Whip stitch or blanket stitch around the border with floss. A tight satin or whip stitch can cover the raw edge completely.
- Felt backing: stitch the patch to a piece of felt, then trim the felt for a neat border.
- Fray-prevention liquid: a small amount along the cut edge can help, but test first, since it can darken some fabrics.
Machine embroidery patches
If you have an embroidery machine, patches are usually made like this:
- Hoop a stabilizer, and often a base fabric such as twill, following your machine and stabilizer instructions.
- Stitch the design, usually with a finishing border around the edge.
- Remove it from the hoop, trim or tear away the excess stabilizer, and cut close to the border.
- Add a heat-activated or sew-on backing.
Many digitizing programs and design collections have ready-made patch designs, including satin-stitched borders. A dense border is important, as it holds the patch together once cut.
Attaching your patch
- Sew-on: the most durable choice. Whip stitch or backstitch around the edge.
- Iron-on: a fusible backing bonds the patch with heat. Follow the product’s directions, and consider adding a few stitches for patches that will be washed often.
- Pins or peel-and-stick: temporary options for items that are not washed.
If you are adding embroidery directly to a garment instead, see adding embroidery to clothing.
Getting a custom patch made
If you would rather not make it yourself, many companies produce custom embroidered patches from an uploaded design. Compare minimum order quantities, backing options, edge types and turnaround time, and look at customer reviews. Pricing varies a lot, so request quotes.
Troubleshooting
- Edges fraying: use felt, or add a denser border stitch.
- Patch curling: a stiffer backing can help.
- Puckered stitching: hoop more evenly and avoid pulling stitches tight.
- Patch peeling off after washing: add stitches around the edge.