Groups and teams work with American Patch every day to create beautiful custom patches. To wear your patches with pride, we want to make sure you sew them on your uniform securely. We’ve provided instructions for how to sew on a patch on a uniform by hand or with a machine.

Tools

• An Iron
• Safety pins or straight pins
• Sewing needle
• Needle-threading tool, optional
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

How to Sew on a Patch on a Uniform by Hand

1. Wash and iron your uniform first.
2. Pin the patch where you want it.
3. Put on your uniform to confirm that the patch looks good.
4. Select a thread color that matches the edge of the patch or at least looks good with it.
5. Cut an 18-inch length of thread.
6. Thread your sewing needle. A needle-threading tool helps with this task.
7. Pull about one-third of the thread through the needle.
8. Tie a knot on the longer end of the thread.
9. With your patch pinned in place, poke the threaded needle from the inside of the uniform through the edge of the patch.
10. Pull the needle through until the knot stops on the inside.
11. Push the needle down through the edge of the patch to form a 1/8 to 1/4-inch stitch.
12. Pull the thread through to form your first stitch.
13. Repeat these straight stitches around the entire patch.
14. When you reach your starting point, push the needle through to the inside of the uniform.
15. Working inside the uniform, slide the needle under the first stitch that you made.
16. Pull the thread until you have a small loop of thread left.
17. Insert the needle into the loop and pull the thread through to make a knot.
18. Repeat the knotting procedure one or two more times.
19. Cut the thread within 1/4 inch of the fabric.

How to Sew on a Patch on a Uniform With a Sewing Machine

1. Wash and iron your uniform.
2. Pin your patch in place.
3. Put on your uniform to see if the patch is positioned correctly.
4. Select a thread color that matches or looks good with your patch.
5. Get out the directions for your sewing machine.
6. Follow the steps to wind thread onto the bobbin.
7. Put the spool of thread on the top post of the sewing machine.
8. Wind thread through the mechanism and thread the machine’s needle.
9. Load the bobbin thread in the chamber beneath the machine needle.
10. Turn the machine wheel manually toward you to use the machine needle to thread the bobbin.
11. With the patch pinned in place, slide the uniform beneath the sewing machine needle.
12. Line the needle up with the edge of the patch.
13. Lower the pressure foot.
14. With the machine wheel, manually lower the needle through the patch.
15. Set the machine for a straight stitch.
16. Working at low speed, push down on the machine’s foot pedal to sew.
17. Stop when you reach a corner of the patch with the needle piercing the fabric.
18. Lift the pressure foot and shift the patch so you can sew the next edge.
19. Lower the pressure foot.
20. Continue sewing.
21. Repeat this process until you reach your starting point.
22. Sew 1/4 to 1/2 inch over your original stitches.
23. Set the sewing machine on reverse and stitch backwards for 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
24. Lift the pressure foot.
25. Trim the thread.

Trust Us to Make Brilliant Custom Patches for Your Group

American Patch manufactures custom patches in many colors and shapes. Simply upload your organization’s original design and get a free quote from us. We will send you a real free sample that you can touch and feel. Once satisfied, simply approve production. American Patch has fast turnaround times and free shipping in the United States. Get premium quality patches for your group by contacting us today, and contact us if you have any more questions for how to sew on a patch on a uniform.