Making a special patch?

**paelthom** · 04-18-2005, 02:26 PM

Each girl in Ryan's Girl Scout troop has to make a patch from fabric that has something to do with things they are interested in. You can make more than 1 if you want to. All the patches will be sewn on a flag and that will be our troop's special flag.

So...

Ryan wants a theatre patch (she loves to go to plays) and a cheerleading patch (she is living for next year when she can try out for cheerleading). I hope to find 2 pieces of fabric that has designs on it for these patches. Now here's my question.... how do I make a patch? I'm guessing to use the iron on interfacing and zigzag around the edges a bunch of times.... I'm assuming just a small patch, maybe 3 inches, round or square.....

Any help would so be appreciated by both me and Ryan

**SewCrafty** · 04-18-2005, 05:25 PM

Your idea sounds good to me Pat, I would do it the same way. Good luck finding the right fabric.

**Mommy2five** · 04-19-2005, 02:45 AM

I don't know about sewing, but that sounds great! I hope Ryan's patches turn out PERFECT for her

**sunshine** · 04-19-2005, 05:53 AM

3 inches seems rather small if it's going on a flag. . . . just IMHO. Of course if your troop is large, then perhaps it's appropriate, but I'd think they would be difficult to see if they are that small.

I think your method sounds right on the mark.

**frugalmel** · 04-19-2005, 01:26 PM

Pat, how many girls are in the troop? What sizes are they making their patches. I know the "traditional" patches are about 3in big, but if the flag will be "flag sized" I agree with Denise that 3in might be too small.

Edited because Melody can't spell

**paelthom** · 04-20-2005, 12:56 PM

Oh you guys do have a great point there. Ummmm I think there are 12 girls. I've been search for clip art trying to get a picture in my head of what shape/design I need to make them in. Ryan has now decided that she wants the drama masks, a megaphone for cheerleading and a pool or waves for water fun. I'm not sure she can have 3 but I will try and make them anyway. I'm hoping for a chance to go look at fabric tomorrow.

What size do you think????

**Michele Annette** · 04-20-2005, 02:27 PM

Have fun with them Pat! What about 7" on a small flag? Make a rough sketch on paper and hold it up to the size flag you will be making or putting it on. If you like the design but it's too big or small, reduce or enlarge the sketch on a photocopy machine. That may help determine what size you are looking for. Good Luck!

**paelthom** · 04-22-2005, 11:34 AM

Found the fabric and got pics off the internet and resized to use as patterns. Now all I need is time to invent these patches. I told dd that if I could do this maybe I will add a few patches to my "inventory" for a future craft show. Who knows...... of course, I may flop at this miserably and then have to go buy plain old iron on patches but I hope not.

**paelthom** · 04-27-2005, 12:44 PM

Well the patches are complete and Ryan will turn them in at tonight's Girl Scout meeting. I expect we will be the only ones with homemade patches. Of course, that means ours will be special and no one will have one like them. I can't wait to see the flag once everyones are sewn on.

They look better in person that than the pictures. They are from 5" to 7" in size. I used heavy interfacing for the backs. The layers are put together with Ultra Bond/Wonder Under and then some fabric paint to give them a little texture.

There are 3 of them but the best one is the cheerleading one. I could not find cheerleader fabric anywhere but just happened to remember this scrap from my stash. Knew there was a reason to get that fabric.

**paelthom** · 04-27-2005, 12:46 PM

This one is the drama mask because she loves going to plays. Rather than do black and white like normal people would, we used cat and dog fabric. The background is a pale yellow with a silky look.

**paelthom** · 04-27-2005, 12:48 PM

Here is the last one. I don't like this one at all but Ryan does. The fabric for the swimming pool is great but my diving board and ladder are yucky.

**SewCrafty** · 04-27-2005, 12:59 PM

They came out fantastic Pat!! You and Ryan R O C K!!!

Those are extra special because they were made by you and Ryan and I bet all the other girls will be green with envy!

**paelthom** · 04-27-2005, 01:03 PM

Thanks Dee. It was a very challenging project but I did learn how to do something new.

BTW - Ryan has now made 2 small purses with my help. She did the lining and the outside and I put on the handles and trim. Yep, I'm a proud mama.