Create your own professional embroidered patches with this step-by-step tutorial inspired by Squeezed Orange Print Shop. Learn the essentials of framing badge film, embroidering precise designs, heat pressing glue for iron-on adhesion, and finishing edges for a flawless result—all grounded in practical, machine-ready instructions.
Table of Contents
- Gathering Your Materials: The Foundation of Patch Making
- The Embroidery Process: Bringing Your Design to Life
- Post-Embroidery Cleanup: Smoothing the Way for Adhesion
- Applying Heat-Seal Glue: Making Your Patches Iron-On
- Finishing Touches: Achieving a Professional Edge
- Beyond the Basics: The Art of Digitizing
Gathering Your Materials: The Foundation of Patch Making
Before any thread touches cloth, prep determines your finish. The creator starts by showcasing Madeira badge film—used two layers thick, shiny side in, textured side out. This combo grips tightly in the embroidery frame and resists slippage during stitching.
Understanding Badge Film: Shiny vs. Textured Sides
One shiny side reflects heat and keeps things stable; the textured side locks into the hoop for tension. It’s this grip that guarantees an even design when the machine needle starts moving.
Why Two Layers and Tight Framing Are Crucial
Two film layers add rigidity and reduce bounce during stitching. The film must be “as tight as you can get it” in the hoop—any slack leads to distortion. Frame failure or sagging can ruin alignment.
The Embroidery Process: Bringing Your Design to Life
Once framed, load the hoop onto the embroidery machine and begin stitching. The video uses a Barudan system, showing smooth, precise motion through the design.
Setting Up Your Embroidery Machine
Load the digitized pattern (EMB or DST format) and ensure thread tension suits your material. The creator confirmed using Madeira Polyneon 40-weight thread—a balanced choice for density and sheen.
If you run multi-needle machines, alignment across patches can differ; adopting mighty hoops for barudan or barudan embroidery machine hoops ensures equal hold per section, which matters when producing up to a dozen patches in one frame setup.
Tips for a Flawless Stitch
Check for consistent thread density and color transitions as the machine runs. Minor tension tweaks early prevent hours of rework later.
From the Comments: Viewers noted the clarity of stitch lines and asked about thread weight—the creator’s 40-weight answer helps achieve ideal coverage without stacking too heavy.
Post-Embroidery Cleanup: Smoothing the Way for Adhesion
With the stitching complete, it’s time for cleanup. Release the patch and film from the frame, then heat gun the backside to melt loose fibers or frayed film. This creates an even surface for glue adhesion.
Heat-Gunning the Back: What to Expect
The heat gun warms the film until it softens slightly, shrinking stray threads flat. The goal: smooth, sealed backing without deforming the design.
Safely Removing the Patch from Film Backing
Once cooled, peel away each layer—one at a time. This prevents warping delicate shapes. Pulling both at once can stretch circles into ovals.
Applying Heat-Seal Glue: Making Your Patches Iron-On
Now comes the transformation that makes your work retail‑ready. A heat-seal glue sheet turns sewn art into wearable add-ons.
Choosing the Right Glue and Preventing Sticking
The host demonstrates Madeira heat‑seal glue—cut slightly larger than your patch. Positioned over the back with a silicone sheet below, it prevents sticking to the press.
If you’re swapping machines, users of other brands benefit from attachment accessories—like magnetic hoops for brother embroidery machines or babylock magnetic hoops—to secure patches flatly during pressing sessions.
Heat Press Settings for Optimal Adhesion
Use 150°C with a 5‑second pre‑press and another 5‑second press while glue rests above the patch. The silicon sheet allows clean release afterward.
Finishing Touches: Achieving a Professional Edge
The pressed glue’s protective white backing now peels away, exposing shiny adhesive ready for bonding.
Trimming Excess Glue: Hot Knife vs. Lighter
The video shows two options: a speedy hot‑knife pass for large batches or a lighter for quick DIY cleanup. Both melt stray glue and seal edges.
From the Comments: Crafters love this step—the sealed edge feels factory‑smooth and prevents lifting after countless washes.
Ensuring a Clean, Solid Border
Run your finger along the outline; no glue residue should stick. The patch now boasts professional finish, ready to iron onto nearly any garment.
Beyond the Basics: The Art of Digitizing
Digitizing—the unseen architecture behind every clean stitch—gets honorable mention but no deep dive here. The creator plans a separate full-length tutorial on this complex topic.
Why Digitizing is a Separate Skill
Good digitizing ensures even thread flow, balanced density, and sharp edges. Many viewers requested follow‑ups for this reason, highlighting how crucial digital prep is for consistent patch runs.
Accessing Ready-Made Patch Files
For newcomers, Squeezed Orange offers to share the same EMB or DST files used in the tutorial upon direct message request.
From the Comments: Multiple users expressed gratitude and eagerness for the digitizing series to come.
Wrapping Up
The “Squeezed Orange” tutorial proves that professional patches are achievable with attention to detail—tight hoops, smooth heat application, and precise edges. Whether you’re outfitting your first jacket or adding production value to your handmade line, the process delivers polished, reproducible results.
If you’re expanding your toolkit, consider exploring specialized accessories like magnetic hoops for embroidery machines or mighty hoop embroidery setups to achieve longer-lasting tension and faster workflow.
