Embroidery patch

Introduction

This page will include some tips and technology for creating removable badges.

Badges can be made with embroidery or simple "iron on" techniques.

Creating the fabric badge

Creating a fabric badge is not very easy and there exist several methods. In each case:

• we recommend to manually add a placement stitch on the border of your badge.
• you will have to stitch a heavy zig-zag border 3.5mm width and 6/mm density. The border should be stitched second (in order to cope with distortions).

Method 1:

• Stitch the design on 2 layers stabilizers
• Iron the badge if necessary
• Glue a stabilizer to the bottom (with an iron)
• Add some seam sealant (water-proof glue for textiles like Fray Check (Amazon US) or Prym fray check (Amazon fr)") to the borders (to prevent accidents when you cut). In french: colle anti-effilochage.
• Cut out the design

Method 2:

• Cut out some fabric of the size of the badge. You can print out a paper version of the design.
• Hoop a water soluble stabilizer (either a very strong one or use 2 layers)
• Stitch the placement stitch (same as appliqué)
• Remove the hoop
• Glue the fabric within the line with a temporary glue spray
• Put the hoop back
• Stitch the rest, the zig-zag border first.

Technology for removable adhesion

So, far we did not find a perfect solution for badges that could stick to ordinary cloth and then be removed. The best solution is probably using double-sided removable fabric to fabric/skin tapes (used to hold cloth in place) and the second best is removable hemming.

All of these should be tested with the fabrics to be used on in order to avoid damage.

Velcro pads

• Sew Velcro pads on the fabrics (works well, but is intrusive)

Poster hanging strips

These are a kind of velcro strips that glue to both sides. E.g.

• 3M Poster Hanging Strips

Glue

• Scotch Removable Restickable Glue Stick (formerly "post-it glue stick")
• There is a also some 3M spray (forgot it's name)

Using a non permanent glue (spray), but has to be tested for residuals on fabrics. E.g.

Double coated tape

The best solution is probably take some non-permanent tape sold under the name of Wardrobe solutions by Scotch.

Removable double coated fabric tape, e.g.

• Scotch Essentials Wardrobe Tape Strips
• Scotch Essentials Accessory tape circles
• Braza Double Sided Flash Tape
• Adribou Fashion Tape (Boydy and clothing tape)

These models should all or most stick to both fabrics and skin

Single sided fabric tape

• Scotch™ Removable Fabric Tape

This must be glued on the none sticky side to the fabric. Probably a bad solution since the sticky glue will wear out after a while.

Removable hem tapes / removable hemming tapes

• Gaudy Guru Adjustable Two Side Fabric Hem Tapes for Clothes
• Scotch Essentials Adjustable Hem Tape
• Hollywood Fashion Secrets Temporary Hem Tape

Tape not made for fabrics. There are removable double sided tapes that are not specifically made for fabrics.

• Scotch® Double Sided Removable Scrapbooking Tape
• Elmer E4005 CraftBond Double Sided Scrapbooking Tape
• 3M 238 Removable Double Sided Tape
• Scotch® Removable Mounting Squares

One variant has assymetric tack. The removable sides has low or medium tack and the other side is strong

• 3M 9425 Removable Repositionable Tape
• 3M Scotch 9415PC Removable Repositionable Tape

These probably do not work for textiles.

Removable glue not made for fabrics

• 3M-Repositionable-75-Spray-Adhesive

'Removable adhesive gum, removable mounting, e.g.

• Scotch Removable Mounting
• Glue Dots
• Elmers reusable adhesive
• Mounting putty

Permanent

Fixing a badge permanently is easy, either by (1) sewing it on to the cloths or (2) by using some "badge magic" double-sided tape, hemming tape, glue, tape to iron on, etc.

Links

Creating badges

• Patch it up (Tutorial at urban threads)
• How to make an embroidered badge