Attach a Patch

Attaching Patches

Attaching Patches starts when you get your first uniform.  Brand new, it will need a Council Patch and Troop Numbers.  After you get your first rank, first leadership position and first patrol, you'll need to sew on more.  And later comes the Merit Badge Sash.

Attaching Patches can be challenging, but doesn't need to be impossible.

Sewing Patches

Sewing is the most secure way of attaching patches.  It's the best option for long term use, but is also the most difficult method for attaching patches.

Hidden Stitching

If you are one of those perfectionists and want the best visual result possible, use a hidden stitch technique.  You can uses any color thread you like, even heavy duty backpack repair thread.  

A small circle of BadgeMagic (or something similar) to hold the patch in place will make this project so much easier.  And once you get the patch where you want it, sew the patch on by hiding the thread under the border of the patch. 

There are several ways to hide a stitch.  One way is to come up through the boarder of the patch and then bring the needle back between the same threads your stitch came out.  Once the tip of your needle is lined up with your stitch, angle it so it pokes through the patch at a different spot further along the border.  

Badge Magic on Merit Badge Sash

Badge Magic works great to temporarily hold on Merit Badges to a sash, but it doesn't seem to stick as well as it should, at least with newer sashes.  If Scouts move around a lot and brush up against something or sit wrong in a chair, badges can peel off.  This painful since you may not recover the patch and will have to replace it and attach it to the sash after you figure out what patch was lost. 

Badge Magic can work great on Merit Badge Sashes if you plan to also sew the patches.  Use the Badge Magic to hold on the patch for positioning and then sew it together when you get a chance.  The combination of Badge Magic and a few stitches makes for solid fixation. 

Note: Make sure you peel off any labels on the back of your patches before using Badge Magic or other adhesive product, otherwise the patch will peel from the label leaving a patch of glue with a label stuck to it. 

Industrial Double-Sided Tape

Very similar to Badge Magic, but leaves a nasty yellow stain on uniform.  If you remove the patch, you will need to put another patch over the stain. 

Hot Glue

This will work in a pinch.  It can get you through a few meetings until you sew it on. 

One downside of hot glue is that you need to work fast.  If you don't get the patch arranged just perfect right away, it will harden as it lies. 

Fabric Glue

This can be messy, but allows you to make quick work or attaching patches - as long as you allow it to dry overnight.  The downside is that adhesion is more or less permanent.  If you remove the patch, it will generally leave behind very noticeable scars.  This is not idea if you want the next generation of Scouts to reuse a uniform or if you need to change patches such as rank or duty position. 

Gorilla Glue

Scouts have tried Gorilla Glue.  It works, but will stain fabric on both sides of it. 

Iron-on Sheets

Products such as  Steam-A-Seam 2 Iron-On Sheets can be used to attach patches.  These can also be used to hold on patches until you can sew them on.  They aren't gummy like BadgeMagic or adhesive backed Velcro. 

Velcro

Hook and Loop Fasteners are great on uniforms, especially for patches that will likely be replaced, such as:

• Rank Patch

• Duty Position Patch

• Patrol Patch

• Temporary Patch over left pocket

• OA Flap Patch - because there is a newer and better looking one ever few years

Velcro is easy to sew on uniforms and is forgiving in that no one will see your stitches after it is covered with a patch.  Hidden stitch techniques can be used on patches if this is important to you.  Alternately, adhesive backed Velcro can be used on patches.  Note that if you decide to sew through these, they will quickly gum up your needle. 

Staples

For a temporary fix, you can staple a patch on a uniform to get you through a meeting.  This looks tacky and will eventually rust if left on.  

Keep in mind that Staples will damage patches and uniforms.  

Thread

There are many choices for thread.  Coming from someone who repairs gear and isn't a tailor, this is what we use:

• Mil Spec V-69 White UV Bonded Polyester Thread

  • This is so heavy duty, you won't be able to tear it by pulling it apart

  • It is ideal for sewing together heavy duty gear

  • Black works for everything, especially if you use hidden stiches on patches

  • It also come in military tan and other earth colors

  • It will not work in many non-heavy-duty sewing machines

  • You can find this online or at Seattle Fabrics

  • aka Size 69 / Tex 70 / Govt. E

• Upholstery Thread

  • Found at Joann's and other local sewing shops

  • Not as heavy duty as V-69, but still overkill for most projects

  • Not as thick as V-69 so better for hiding stiches on the finer borders on the World Scouting Patch and the ring patches designed to go around it

  • three-ply bonded nylon or polyester (nylon is stronger and polyester does better if left out in the sun long term)

  • aka 15 weight (thinner than V-69)

Needle

You can make any needle you have work, but if you doing a lot of sewing, then heavier duty needles will last longer.

Note: for Hand Sewing, you will want a Needle Driver to help push your needle.  These are used in the medical field for sewing up people and can be found on Amazon.  A small set of needle nose pliers will also work, but needle drivers work much better. 

Sewing Machines 

• Universal Schmetz Needles 

  • 110/18 - great size

Sewing Awls

• Universal Schmetz Needles 

  • 110/18 - great size

• Schmetz Industrial Sewing Machine Needles

  • 110/18 - great size

  • 125/20 - overkill

  • Get at Seattle Fabrics