Forum Home Page

[OmynnJak]

hi, I just found this forum while looking for some information on learning how to make patches.

I am disabled and use a Service Dog and would like to make my own patches to place on my Service Dog's vests. The current ones out there are just plain expensive and I know I could make them myself if i knew how.

I have the fonts and everything I want and know how to hoop and everything but how do I make the actual patch so that it is 'finished' and looks neat?

Any suggestions? Do I have to have a serger first? I'll be getting one soon.

Thanks in advance

OmynnJak (named after my 5 month old Boxer in training to be my full time Service Dog)

[Cutiepie]

No, you really don't need to use a serger to make patches. Here's what I do:

First, get an appropriately sized and shaped satin-stitched outline. If you don't have one, let me know what you need, and I'll help you out with that (I can digitize one especially for you). The most important thing here is that it will fit your hoop.

Then, you arrange the lettering and pictures inside the outline so that it looks like what you need. Sew the whole thing out on some nice sturdy fabric (a heavy twill works well, or maybe denim or cotton "duck" cloth). Be sure to pre-wash the fabric you will be embroidering on, especially if the vests will be washed later on. Use polyester thread (since they are most fade-resistant). When you are done sewing, cut it out as close as you can to the outside satin stitch edge, being careful not to cut into the stitches.

You may want to then use Fray Check (or similar product) to keep the fine edge from fraying. You could use fusable web to "iron on" the patches, or else just stitch them on by hand. Let us know how it goes!

[OmynnJak]

Thank you so much for the information.

I have both the large and smaller hoops if that helps. I'm most likely going to need different size shapes to embroider as some go on the side of the dogs packs and some can go on the back which has more room. I will be trying this method out tomorrow when I get some free time.

I am pretty sure the thread I have is polyester and I think I have some duck cloth if not I'll be heading to the store

Thank you so much and I will be sure to come back and let you know how it goes

OmynnJak