Monday, March 2, 2009

The Challenge: Sewing on a Patch

I wouldn't have guessed that sewing was a prerequisite for being a mom, and I got by with only my button sewing-on abilities for a few years, five to be exact. And then it happened.

My boy decided he wanted to play Little League. His t-ball uniform made its way home from a practice in a bag with a jersey, baseball pants, socks, a belt, and a patch. At
first I thought it was just a keepsake for the boys, but then I realized after noticing the sticky note indicating the correct shoulder to sew the patch on, that they expected me to SEW the patch on!

Not one to shy away from a challenge, I set about doing it. A couple hours and a couple bleeding fingers later, the patch was attached t
o the jersey, but Friends, it was not pretty.

I give you exhibit A. in the proof that I am uncrafty!
Now if you look closely you'll notice that I went with a side-to-side type of stitch as if I were doing a hem. Yes, feel free to point and laugh you seamstress-wizards, but I'll have you know the patch did remain attached to the jersey for the duration of the season even with repeated washings!

So, this year, my 2nd year as an official Little League mom. I did not panic when I got the coach-pitch baseball uniform bag; instead I began research. I knew from scouting out the other patches last year that my sewing technique may have been a little off, and I was determined to do better. Invisible Friends, I found this http://www.wikihow.com/Sew-a-Patch-on-a-Uniform.

And then 51 minutes and 3 stuck fingers later I had this year's jersey patch sewn on!


You'll notice from the 2nd, more detailed picture that my technique has matured a little from hemming the patch to the jersey to more correctly (I hope) stitching it over the edges!

Not as pretty from the underside, but for me, The Uncrafty, this is success!

Now if you did not follow the How to Sew on a Patch link and scroll down to the tip section, you are missing a gem. My favorite tip they list is to teach your child to sew on the patch. That will be my tackle next year!!!

So, this Tuesday I am grateful for the internet and the wealth of information you can find on it! I'm grateful that my job as a mom allows me opportunities to learn new things. I'm grateful for the boy who will wear this jersey and the privilege to be his cheerleader (and seamstress)!

I'd love to hear your patch sewing experiences! Am I the only one who didn't know how to do this?

For more Tackle it Tuesday visit 5 Minutes for Mom and for more Gratituesday visit Heavenly Homemakers.



Tackle It Tuesday Meme

7 comments:

  1. Oh, I too am thankful for the same thing! The University of the Internet is my go-to guy!

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  2. You did a great job. I was worried when my daughter joined Brownies because of the patches - but now they are iron-ons. Which was a sore point for my mom, who had to sew mine on. (Actually, that last batch I earned are still PINNED to my sash, several decades later! LOL)

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  3. I can sew on a button- and that's about it! Great job!

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  4. You did a great job. I had to really look close to see the stitches. The internet is such a wonderful tool for us Moms. Have a great day.

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  5. Way to go! Thanks for the link~I'll definitely be using that. I am a professional fabric-gluer. I don't sew, except buttons and not very well. The fabric glue that is machine wash safe has been a life saver for me!! Pathetic, huh?

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  6. I totally would have sewn in the way you did the first one! Who knew there was a "right" way to sew a patch?!

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I'd love to hear what you think!