Hello,
I am trying to make some custom embroidered patches for my cricket team and was hoping someone could give me some advice!
They will be approx 4cm x 3cm and I would like to know what sort of detail I can fit in that space, I have attached a sketch which I imagine will be too detailed.
Also, do we have the software to design a patch on the computers at the makerspace or will I need to download that (are there any free/cheap ones..?).
If anyone can help that would be amazing!
Rory
Hey Rory,
There is indeed free software you can use to design patches for the embrodery machines. It’s called InkStitch and its an add-on for InkScape (also free!). The software will give you a really good visualiation of what your design will look so that’s probably a better guide for detail than my best guess but I think you might be OK looking at the sketch you’ve done.
All the details of how to correctly use the embroidery machines (and the software) are on the toolpage. I’d strongly recommend going through this as the machine is not always intuitive and can jam your project if setup wrong.
I’m not an expert on this machine but happy to help where I can so do shout if you get stuck. I hope you’ll post these when they’re finished. 
Would be cool to see the finished product.
Hi,
I used Hatch Embroidery software to embroider a design. The software is not free (actually very expensive and works on Windows only) but you can have a 14 day trial.
I would draw first using Photoshop, Illustrator or Procreate, then export the image into PNG. Hatch Embroidery can ‘convert’ it to an embroidery and can change the colours as you want. It works well on Brother Embroidery machines.
Best,
Thank you so much for all this! I will check out that program when I get home. And I promise I will send some progress pics 
Thank you very much for this tip, I will check out inkstitch first and if it doesn’t work for me I will definitely use that free trial!
Hey Rory, I’ve been using the digital embroidery machine a fair bit the past few weeks, and it is Amazing! I think you’re probably right, that might be a bit too much detail, but I would suggest trying it first, and then simplifying as needed. I’m very happy to show you how the machine is set up, although it is quite self-explanatory. You just need to try and make sure you follow the steps very precisely, otherwise it is bound to fuck up in someway. When are you hoping to have the badges done by?
Hi! For a 4x3cm patch, keep details simple small text or intricate patterns (like on nexus patches) may not show clearly. You can use free software like Inkscape or Hatch Mini for designing patches.
I run a course at the space on Inkscape.
I am not planning on running one again until March.
If you need help with Inkscape, please send me a private message and I’ll send you the course notes and help with the specifics of your design.
Hi Rory,
I run a patch shop in the US, so I deal with this ‘small size’ issue every day.
To be honest, 4cm x 3cm is extremely tight for standard embroidery. If your cricket logo has any text, it will likely turn into an unreadable blob because the needle/thread thickness is too wide for that resolution.
For that size, we usually tell clients to switch to Woven patches (which use thinner thread) or simplified designs.
Good luck with the project!
