There are a bunch of ways to make your troop’s badges! If you have access to a printer, you can get iron-on paper and print out the image files onto it, cutting out the shape of the patch with scissors and then ironing it on by following the instructions on the package. This usually means putting the transfer face-down on a piece of fabric placed on a pillowcase and then ironing over it. Patches made from the opaque type, intended for darker fabrics, are a little sturdier and nicer-looking.

You can also go deep craft and sew them together, like Lola did with the sneaking in/sneaking out patch, inspired by this demerit badge DIY.

What you’ll need:

  • A piece of stiff fabric—felt, denim or a tote bag works well.
  • Glue or a needle and thread.

How to do it:

We made a little stack of three layers: two layers of cloth napkin that may have been lifted from a restaurant too fancy to need ’em, surely, with a gray t-shirt fabric sandwiched in-between for padding, then traced the shape with another patch:

kitch12000

Then we suggest collaging to the song of your heart: We used different scrap fabrics, but whatever supplies give you a rush. Rhinestones? Watercolor paints? When you’re feeling good about what you got, glue the edges to prevent it from fraying or finish them with a blanket stitch. Check it:

kitch22000

Now, how to affix ye patch? A few ways, in descending order of difficulty:

  • Create an iron-on patch by attaching fusible web (our favorite brand is called “Stitch Witchery,” as it endorses witches).
  • Thread a safety pin through the back, like Lucy did in her marvelous felt badges DIY.
  • Hot-glue them onto whatever.
  • Staple them onto your sash. This is known as a “Lola’s mom” and receives extra points for directness.

We encourage you to rock these IRL in any way you see fit! You’ve earned it. ♦