Machine Embroidery at Illinois

You've submitted your design, we've stitched it out, and you've picked up your finished patch. Now it's time to attach it to your jacket, your bag, or any other place you desire. There are many options in terms of attaching your patch that range from adhesives to sewing. This page will detail several options for your finished product!

Sewing your patch to your desired garment or accessory is the best way to ensure the patch stays where you put it. Unlike glue or other adhesives, stitching the patch down is both very reliable (no chance of it peeling off!) and very reversible - simply cut the thread and pull it out of your stitches to remove the patch if you'd like to put it somewhere else.

The following Youtube video goes into detail about how to go about stitching your patch into place. A list of supplies and written instructions is available below the video.

Supplies for hand-sewing on a patch:

• Sewing needle: these are easily acquired at any craft store. We at the IDEA Lab especially recommend the IDEA Store, located in the Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana, as an inexpensive source of craft supplies that also reduces waste by taking donations!
• Pins: like sewing needles, easily found at any craft store. You can also use any safety pins you have lying around!
• Thread: any type of thread will work, but we recommend sewing thread - it is thinner than embroidery thread and often stronger, too. You can identify sewing thread easily as it is sold on a spool (small cylinder) and is made of just one strand. Embroidery thread will work in a pinch, though: you may just need to separate out one or two threads rather than using the whole thickness of the thread.