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From: pretnichols
Date: 03-03-2006, 03:56 PM (1 of 8)
Okay, I need some suggestions. My DD is a Brownie, and has brought home a ton of patches that need to be sewed/ironed onto her vest. I have hand-sewed about 1/2 dozen of them, but am wondering if anyone has machine stitched these? What kind of thread & needle should I use? The "glue" does not hold very long on these, so I can iron them to hold them in place, but then need to sew them. My fingers are sore from the hand-sewing already.  I know some of you are Moms, and have most likely had to do this, so I'm looking for some help. Thanks in advance! Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 03-03-2006, 04:18 PM (2 of 8)
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I have always machine sewed them on. Try its on the front stitch inside the border. The participation patches go on the backAfter the third brownie I learned to only sew one line of stitching across the top. That way you can layer patches when they get too many to fit on 1 vest or sash. I would use a heavy duty needle (jean) & regular thread. By the time the youngest got into scouts I had it down pat. Know she is a cadette & won't wear a vest so we have an envelope of patches waiting for a sweatshirt to sew them on to. She will be getting her 10 yr. pin this year. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: mozeyrn
Date: 03-03-2006, 04:40 PM (3 of 8)
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My husband always needs patches added on to his shirts. I use a straight pin to keep it in place and do a small zig-zag stitch around the edges. After trying to hand sew one of them and sticking myself a bunch of times, no way will I hand sew them again.
- Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: esrun3
Date: 03-03-2006, 05:32 PM (4 of 8)
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I have always machine sewed them on. Try its on the front stitch inside the border. The participation patches go on the backAfter the third brownie I learned to only sew one line of stitching across the top. That way you can layer patches when they get too many to fit on 1 vest or sash. I would use a heavy duty needle (jean) & regular thread. By the time the youngest got into scouts I had it down pat. Know she is a cadette & won't wear a vest so we have an envelope of patches waiting for a sweatshirt to sew them on to. She will be getting her 10 yr. pin this year. This is what I always did with not only my kid's patches (GS & BS) but also mine as I went through the ranks. When I became a cadette, the "thing" was to put them on a denim shirt and then you had a "camp shirt" when you were out with the troop, at meetings, etc. In fact, mine is still hanging in the closet after years of wear. Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 03-03-2006, 05:50 PM (5 of 8)
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I just sewed some Cub Scout patches on using invisible thread on top and polyester that matches the shirt in the bobbin. I stitched right along the border of the satin stitch. When I was sewing try-its on I tried many things. Nothing worked to keep them lined up nicely. Then one day after they were falling off I got an idea. I used a spray adhesive and put them all on the vest with that. Then I sewed them on with a zig-zag stitch between the patches sewing a whole line at once. It was quick and whenever I had to add more I waited until I had a handful and did it the same way. I used brown thread to match the vest. Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-03-2006, 06:35 PM (6 of 8)
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I always machine sewed my try-its on by straight stich around the outside (colored) perimeter too. I used a little longer stitch and monofiliment thread (top) matching sewing thread on the bottom. I used straight for years. When my oldest moved to Jrs. I tried a zig zag but I didn't like the look. What ever you do don't try to glue them. It ruins the badges. I too layer the patches on the back. We had some patches that received ladder steps for years. I kept those in special places on the back of the vest. Be sure and check to make sure that you put the patches on correctly. It is really embarrassing for the girl, the troop and the leader if you go places where there are a lot of scouts and they are displayed incorrectly. The glue ruins the patches and you may want to move them later. My oldest outgrew her sash and I moved them to a vest. I bought a vest for my younger daughter. In the long run, it is very nice if you save the badges and patches and make a Girl Scout quilt out of them later. A lot of people also make quilts out of the GS t-shirts. When our troops did things, we often had silk screening. My kids always had a camp pillow case that we took along and sweet talked them in to silk screening. The girls would then take the pillowcase to all GS events. It was pretty cool...a bit like the BS and their walking sticks. As the leader, I also kept a patch for the events we went to. I have a drawer full. Some day I want to make my own GS quilt. My daughter designed two of the patches for GS Day Camp (proud mom). Another reason to save those badges and patches and take care of them? They are collectable. From time to time the badges are changed or retired and I"ve heard that the old ones are very valuable! Many of the patches are nearly one of a kind. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: pretnichols
Date: 03-04-2006, 08:33 PM (7 of 8)
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Wow, thanks for all of the suggestions. Before I attempted to sew them and make a mess, thought I'd ask for help. You ladies came through for me! I should tell you that my DD is new to this, this year. Most of the girls in her troop are returning for their 2nd year. I did make sure that I put the patches on correctly -- troop number, flag, etc. They actually stayed put, but the try-its and "fun" patches are another story. I like the idea of layering them, as I was warned to make sure I sewed them as close as possible to fit all of them for this year and also next year. Some of the girls have a strip of fabric sewn to the bottom of their vests with all the extra patches. However, you'll love this.....there are at least 2 girls in her troop who have their patches stapled to their vests.  The moms don't know how to sew and since the glue wasn't holding, this was what they resorted to. I'd offer to sew them, but I think I'd be bombarded with requests and until I get my own DD's vest done, I don't want to volunteer. Others just use straight pins & safety pins. I did the safety pins for 2 of them, as my DD insisted on having them on her vest before I had a chance to hand-stitch them. The pins kept opening and stabbing her in the back. Since then, she has learned patience and knows that I'll sew them when I get a chance.  I truly like the idea of saving the patches and making a quilt for her someday. She has not let go of the crazy quilt I made for her in January, and I have requests to make at least 4 more!! If anyone has made a quilt with their patches, I'd love to see it. Sorry for rambling! I'm at work and bored stiff! No one is here and I have to stay for at least 1 1/2 more hours. Thanks again! Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-05-2006, 02:21 AM (8 of 8)
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I haven't done it yet. I have seen some that were done and they were pretty cool. My oldest has about 175 patches, not to mention the try-its and badges. I really need to get that done for her. Both of my girls have all the try-its that were available at the time they were Brownies...there were about 5 or so added for my youngest and a few were retired. They each have about 85-90% of the Junior badges that were available. Man, I've seen it all. The kids with the glue though, that's worse than the staples because theirs just shed everywhere, not to mention what it does to the vest/sash. Staples stick the girls (as you mentioned) and they can mess up the shirts too. Most leaders don't have time to follow the girls around picking up badges nor do they notice. We were always moving. You can always replace try-its (if they haven't been discontinued), but the patches are for the most part irreplacable and that is just sad. Don't sew them on without charging. Most parents will gladly pay $1 a patch/badge to get them on and it keeps you from feelling that they are taking advantage of you. It also keeps you from being swamped. Another hint, after doing this for a while, I discoved that it was easier to put them on the bottom, hanging them off the vest first. Then you have full access to the next row. I would put the ladders down from the shoulders. Lay the ladders under the original patch. Some of the ones that were done by our council would fit two under the patch without extending beyond the edge (much). So I would put patch with 2nd yr/3rd yr side by side where I could. The reason that the patches are rare is that unless they are commemorative, each is designed by someone at your council or neighborhood so there are only a handful done. When the girls get older and go to WOW events, they often take left over patches from the council and trade for patches from all over the world. When I did summer day camp for our neighborhood, we would have a contest and independant leaders would choose the patch that best matched the theme. I would then clean up the child's image and send it off to be duplicated. Depending upon the make up of the patch, it could be very expensive. I would usually only order 350 patches for day camp. We would award them to the kids in camp first, then girls that worked and the leaders as well as the people who assisted in the camp program. When those 350 were gone, there were no others to be had anywhere in the world. Someone chooses the final colors, threads, backing, outside color, etc. You pay a set up fee and a bulk order fee for the badges based on the fabric used (ultra suede is the highest for the distributor that I used), a per-color charge, even the shape; then the final amount is based upon the percentage of the badge that is embroidered. You can even have them custom dye cut so that you can have hat shaped patches or boot shape patches. This was my favorite part of day-camp planning. The anticipation of receiving these patches and seeing them come to life is just too cool. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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