About Me

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Married to Tony mother to 2 children Lucas 23, Gemma 26 & her boyfriend Sean. Carer for 2 crazy Jack Russells. I'm dyslexic so excuse any mistakes. The Stitching Room is where I spend my time playing with Clarice (my camera) and Bernie (my sewing machine). Come on in and see what I'm up to.

Monday, 19 October 2009

Badge Tutorial

I have the worst hand writing, it is generally really big and untidy. When I go to work shops I hate having to write my name on a tag or sticky label. This I find is much better my very own embroidered name badge.
I also hate sticking safety pins in my clothes(along with untidy writing I'm a little bit anal).


You will need.
4 - 1" X 3" pieces for outer edge of badge
1 - 1 1/2" X 2 1/2" actual size.(white fabric) I started with a piece of fabric larger than this and cut it down.
1 - 2 1/2" X 3 1/2" Weaveline or similar
1 - 3 1/2" X 2 1/2" Pellon
1 - 3 1/2" X 2 1/2" for the back
Magnetic clasp or a safety pin.

All seams are 1/4"

Please read all instructions before starting.

I used excel on my computer to create a 1 1/2" X 2 1/2" cell then played with fonts and sizes to fit centrally within the cell.
Using a light box or window trace the square and name onto your white fabric with a pigma pen.

Iron weaveline to the back of your fabric.

Back stitch.

Trim to size.

Sew one 1" X 3" strip to top(long edge) and one to the bottom - iron with seam allowance away from name section.

Due to a technical problem Lorraine has now become Judith.

Trim

Sew one 1"X 3" strip to the side and the last one to the other side.


Trim.

Iron pellon piece to the back of this section.

With right sides together sew front to backing piece.
Leave a opening on one side for turning and if you are using a magnetic clasp this is where you will put it inside your badge.

Clip the corners and turn inside out. I use the end of a knitting needle to pock out the corners.
Press.

This is the magnetic clasp I used. I like them as they don't put holes in your clothes. I have a name badge for work with a clasp like this. They only cost about $3.00 and I got mine from a place that makes name badges. If you live in Adelaide I bought mine from Evright.com pty ltd in Gouger Street.
It comes in 2 parts one piece goes inside the badge the other is a magnet which holds the badge on even through a few layers of clothing.
Separate the two pieces.
Peel off the sticky backing and carefully slide through turning hole with the sticky side facing the pellon. This is a little tricky as you want it to be in the middle of your badge. It fits just behind the white fabric.

Slip stitch the opening closed.

I then did a running stitch(through all layers) around the white fabric extending up to the edges.

This is the back of the badge with the magnet attached.
If you are not using a magnetic clasp you can sew a safety pin to the back.

If you are completely mad you can make one for every one attending a workshop.
More about the workshop soon.



26 comments:

Julie said...

What a terrific idea. I had a laugh at your "technical problem".

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Brilliant idea - looks like you are an experienced badge maker after the workshop. Bet your participants loved them.

Lorraine said...

The badges are awesome.....thanks Leanne.....where have you put the "L" pillow????? (mwhahahahaha)

Lucky-1 said...

What a great idea:D

Helen McNaught @ AuntyHennys said...

Fantastic idea Leanne! I belong to a small group of crafty ladies and we have never had a "badge" just for our group - I think this will be a great workshop project for all of us to participate in. Some of the ladies are well into their 90's and still doing beautiful work!

Kris said...

Mad huh? Or just terribly clever! I love my badge. I am wearing it around the house today incase any of the kids forget my name. Or in case I do!

Dawn said...

Thankyou Leanne, the name badges are beautiful, a special touch to a wonderful weekend.Thanks for all your lovely help.
Hugs Dawn x x

Roseanne said...

I just love your name tags. I think i will have to make one for my self.

Simone de Klerk said...

What a wonderful idea!!! I look forward to see the workshop you will be giving. You make it so personal. Great!!!

Shontelle said...

Fantastic badges! I was just looking for one on etsy the other day. Now I can whip my own up and the bonus is there is no chance that I will spell my name wrong! Thanks for the awesome tutorial!

Chookyblue...... said...

great name tags........you did very well........

Sewmarm said...

Very clever idea! And I like your dry humor that comes through.

Natalie said...

Thank you so much for the lovely name badge! I too hate having to write my own name or pining into my clothes so it's great to have one of these to take along to my next meet up now.

Sarah said...

I cannot believe all those badges! They are amazing!

Meggie said...

You absolute sweetie!!

May Kristin said...

Great badges! And tutorial!
Did you really make them all?

Jenny said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

bingo~bonnie said...

oh how cute - love that you gave a tutorial and before I even got scrolled down to the magnets part I was already thinking and wondering if I still had my name badge from when I managed apartments that maybe I could use it - it has the very same magnet system as you showed! ;)

About how long did it take for you to make up the 100? Great job! ;)

I'm so glad that my Google Reader had your blog listed in the "suggestions" and I found your blog today! ;)

Love from Texas! ~bonnie

Grazia said...

They're so sweetie!!!
Thank you very much for sharing! :)
Grazia

josette.272@gmail.com said...

genial j adore bises

Unknown said...


Hey, nice site you have here! Keep up the excellent work!

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Unknown said...

I have never seen such kind of unique designs of name badge. Hoping to see more on this blog. Thanks for sharing. Keep writing.
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Unknown said...

This is just amazing. Without costing much easily I can get my new badges ready for my workers and myself. Going to try it today self. Thanks. Keep sharing such helpful post.

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Next Day Badges said...

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful information,

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Thanks!!!

Kristen Halley said...

Thanks for the Badge Tutorial! Your clear instructions and helpful tips made the process easy to follow and enjoyable. Now I can create custom badges with confidence and add a personal touch to my projects. Appreciate the effort you put into this guide.

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