Parents can resort to peel and stick adhesive to affix badges to scout shirts. However, adhesives have drawbacks. They often loose their stickiness around the edges, leaving a sloppy-looking badge. Badges that have to be removed at a later date leave behind a sticky residue and a stain. This affects the resale or hand-me-down value of the shirt. For a crisp look and ease in removal, hand sewing remains the most effective way to attach scout badges to shirts. Best of all, it is easy enough for non-sewers to accomplish successfully.
To attach badges to Cub Scout shirts, parents will need the following:
- Cub Scout shirt
- Cub Scout badges
- Color-coordinated thread
- Sewing needle
- Small piece of double-sided sticky tape
- Scissors
To begin, select thread that is the same color as the badge. Sew red badges on with red thread, purple badges with purple thread and so on. Thread the needle with approximately an 18-inch long piece of thread.
Proper Cub Scout Badge Placement
Consult a Cub Scout handbook to determine proper badge location. Use a small piece of double-sided sticky tape to place the badge on the shirt. The tape holds the badge in place while it is sewed. Use a very small piece of tape, no more than a quarter of an inch long, placed in the center of the badge. Don’t let it cover the area that will be sewed, as it is hard to pass a needle through the tape.
Though it is an adhesive, a small piece of double-sided sticky tape won’t ruin the Cub Scout shirt. If it needs to be removed, it’s small enough that it can be covered with a new badge.
Sewing the Cub Scout Badge in Place
Once the Cub Scout badge is properly placed, begin sewing. Always take the path of least resistance. Typically, it’s difficult to sew through thick embroidery, but relatively easy to sew through the non-embroidered parts of the badge. Sew on the inside edge of the badge, close to the border. Use small stitches on the top of the badge, but large stitches on the inside of the shirt.
Sew all the way around the badge. Finish by knotting the ends of the thread together and snipping off the excess.
Even parents with no sewing skills can successfully sew badges onto Cub Scout shirts. The trick is to use coordinating thread and small stitches so that the badge is securely affixed to the scout shirt with virtually invisible stitches.
Barb Hacker - Barb is a busy mom of three boys and a freelance writer. She is an avid reader who enjoys reading about history, parenting and gardening. ...
