Many people wear uniforms with patches, whether they are in the military, public service, scout troop, or both.You may need to sew a new patch on your uniform when you get promoted.The process of sewing patches on a uniform is simple and can be done by hand or with a machine.
Step 1: Before you begin, wash, dry, and iron your uniform.
If it is a new uniform, make sure to wash and dry before sewing, otherwise the fabric will bunch under the patch.Cotton is used in many uniforms.Cotton shrinks after the first wash.If you sew a patch onto your uniform before it is washed, the fabric under it will shrink and bunch it.It is a good idea to iron the area where the patch will be placed before sewing.Wrinkles will be removed by ironing the area.Your uniform will be permanently wrinkled if you sew your patch over thewrinkle.
Step 2: You need a sewing needle and thread.
Pick a thread that is either the color of the uniform or the edge of it.If you can't find a thread that's the same color as either, look for a darker color.Lighter thread will show up as blatantly if it's darker than it is.A clear thread can make it less visible.
Step 3: The patch should be positioned in the correct place.
There are patches on military uniforms that need to be placed in a specific area.If you want to sew on an American flag patch, you need to place it on the shoulder/bicep area of the sleeve.The flag needs to be facing the right way.The American flag should always be positioned so that when the wearer is moving forward, it gives the flag the effect of waving in the wind.Make sure you check with your superiors to make sure the patches are in the correct places.
Step 4: A safety pin is held by the patch on the uniform.
This is to make sure it is positioned correctly.Someone else can confirm this for you.Don't wear your uniform with pins holding the patch.The pins shouldn't poke you if you put the uniform on.When wearing your uniform, your body will fill out the garment so you want to check how it fits.The patch could be affected by this.
Step 5: Attach your patch to the sewing machine.
To hold the patch in place, use a safety pin or straight pin.To iron the patch on, use fabric tape.If you don't have an iron-on patch, you might want to get some ironing tape.The glue sticks the patch in place while you sew.You won't have to worry about sewing or poking yourself.Place the tape.Attach the patch to the iron and tape.You have to put the patch in place if you don't iron it.
Step 6: Attach a piece of thread to something.
If you don't know how to sew, you should start with a piece of thread no larger than 18 inches.Shorter pieces are easier to work with than longer ones.You can leave the thread on the spool if you don't cut it.The thread will be prevented from getting tangled.You won't have to worry about running out of thread or re-threading your needle.
Step 7: Tie a knot with the needle.
It can be difficult to thread the needle.Use the needle threading tool to save time.It is possible to wet the thread in your mouth if you don't have a threading tool.The tiny strands of thread will be held together by saliva.You can better thread the eye of the needle with this.
Step 8: Start threading the needle through the fabric.
The needle should come up through the patch on the inside of the garment.The inside of your fabric is where you want to start the knot to hold the thread in place.Start inside and remove the needle.
Step 9: You can use a straight stitch pattern.
From where you brought it out, run the needle back through the uniform.The easiest way to sew a patch is straight stitch.If you iron on your patch, you don't need a complicated stitching pattern.A straight stitch is the least visible.
Step 10: Continue stitching the patch.
Continue your straight stitch until you reach your patch.You should finish where you started.When hand sewing a patch onto a uniform it is important to take your time and do your best to make sure that your weaves and the length of your stitches are as even as possible.Keeping an even pattern will make your patch look better.
Step 11: You need to knot your thread.
Pull the needle through the thread to tie off the knot when you have sewn all the way around the patch.To sew your patch, thread your needle through and create a small loop on the inside of your uniform.Pull the thread tight when you bring the needle through the loop.A tight knot will be created by this.
Step 12: The ends of the thread should be cut.
There are loose threads hanging beyond the knot.The thread should be about 1 cm long.Leaving a bit makes sure you don't cut the knots.The thread needs to be tucked under the patch.
Step 13: You can iron your garment.
You will want to iron your uniform before sewing.If you iron your garment before sewing, you won't have to worry about wrinkling in your clothes.
Step 14: Put the patch where you want it.
To make sure your patch is in the correct spot, place it on your garment or uniform.If you sew your patch onto your uniform and realize you put it in the wrong place, you have to remove it and start over again.
Step 15: You should iron on your patch.
If you don't have an iron-on patch, you might want to get some ironing tape.Place the tape.Attach the patch to the iron and tape.You have to put the patch in place if you don't iron it.When using your machine, pining your patch will create more work for you.
Step 16: Put the garment on the sewing machine.
Make sure your needle length is shorter for the patch by setting up your machine.The machine should be set to a straight stitch.Put your presser foot in the up position.Different sewing machines have different features.Refer to your manual for the best results.You should only sew the patch onto one piece of fabric.It can be difficult to sew a patch onto a sleeve.Pull back the other side of the sleeve if you don't want to sew it shut.
Step 17: You need to thread your machine.
The thread should be placed on the bobbin.Instructions on how to do this will be in your manual.Bring your thread through the bobbin.The thread should be winds around the bobbin.To fill the bobbin, press the foot peddle.Once the bobbin is filled, you have to place it in the correct location.Attach the thread to the needle with the proper parts of your machine.There is a different process for each machine.Refer to your manual.Make sure you have the correct color thread.The color of the patch or clear thread is what you should use.
Step 18: The machine should be on a low-speed setting.
The sewing machine's speed settings are likely to be different.How fast the needle moves depends on the speed.Keeping it low will give you good control when sewing.
Step 19: Start sewing
Press down on your foot pedal and slowly move your garment until you are done sewing the patch.Move the patch and garment as one.The sewing machine's foot should be up, but the needle is still in place.Lifting the foot up will allow you to move the garment.If you keep the needle in place, you will get a consistent pattern.Seal the stitch once you have made it all the way around your patch.Cut away any loose threads with your scissors.You should leave a small amount of thread.Leaving a bit makes sure you don't cut the knots.
Step 20: The patches need to be removed and replaced with a seam ripper.
If you need to replace a patch because you have been promoted, you will have to take a seam ripper and remove the thread.Remove the patch.It's a good idea to pop every stitch around your patch.The seam ripper should be used to remove loose thread.Don't use a razor if you are going to cut yourself.
Step 21: You can iron your garment.
You will need to iron your sleeve or garment.Any leftover marks and punctures from a previous patch can be smoothed out by ironing.If you don't iron your garment before sewing, you will leave permanent wrinkling in your clothes.
Step 22: The patch should be positioned in the correct place.
Before sewing or attaching the patch to the sleeve, make sure it's placed correctly.Instructions on where to sew a patch on a military uniform can be found in the instructions.A Navy striped patch must end 2 inches above the cuff on the sleeve.Refer to the instructions given to you.Glue tape can be used to iron your patch in place.It is not a permanent solution to iron the patch on.It's only to hold the patch in place while you sew.The lack of pins will allow you to sew the patch on.Let the patch cool before sewing.
Step 23: Attach your patch to your uniform.
You can either use a sewing machine or hand stitching.The thread should be the appropriate color.Use clear thread if you want to match the patch's edges.Pull the part of the sleeve that isn't attached to your patch if you use a machine.
Step 24: Slowly go.
Don't start over if you take your time and get it right.Sewing may be more difficult if you have a patch in a different location.You can use your neck opening to separate the layers of fabric if the patch is higher on the arm.If it is near the cuff, you have to be careful not to sew through both sides of the sleeves.The machine should be set on a slow setting.If you need to change your uniform and patch, raise the foot with the needle still in place.Then lower the foot.Take your time so that you can create even spaces between the passes and sew in a straight line.Use a straight stitch.
Step 25: Use a knot or the machine to seal your thread.
Once you have made it all the way around the patch, end the stitch with a hand knot or by back-tracing on the machine.Cut away any loose threads with your scissors.The thread should be about 1 cm long.Leaving a bit makes sure you don't cut the knots.