Design & 3D Print a Custom Brooch to Cover Unwanted Clothing Details

Updated at: 16/03/2025

Ever wished you could subtly camouflage a snag, a stain, or an awkwardly placed button on your favorite garment? Instead of consigning beloved clothes to the back of the closet, consider the transformative power of custom-designed brooches. This article explores the exciting intersection of fashion and technology, demonstrating how you can design and 3D print a unique brooch to perfectly conceal those pesky imperfections and breathe new life into your wardrobe. No longer will minor flaws dictate the fate of your clothes; instead, they'll become opportunities for creative expression.

This innovative approach allows for unparalleled personalization, enabling you to create bespoke embellishments perfectly tailored to the size, shape, and color of the area needing camouflage. We'll guide you through the entire process, from initial design concept and digital modeling to the final 3D printing and finishing touches. Let's dive into a step-by-step guide on how to design and 3D print the perfect brooch to cover those unwanted clothing details.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Fusion 360 CAD software
  • 3D printer
  • Gold-plated brass material (or chosen material)
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use appropriate safety glasses when 3D printing and handling filament. Particles can be ejected during printing and the filament itself can be hot.
  • Ensure your 3D printer is properly calibrated and the print settings are suitable for the chosen filament to avoid unexpected results and potential hazards like fire.
  • Before attaching the brooch to clothing, inspect it carefully for any sharp edges or protrusions that could snag fabric or cause injury. Sand down any rough areas for a smooth finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • Select a typeface and import it into your font book (optional, but recommended for text-based designs).
    • Open Fusion 360 and save your document immediately.
    Open Fusion 360 and save your document immediately.Open Fusion 360 and save your document immediately.
    Preparation

  2. Brooch Design: Main Shape

    • Create a sketch plane (front plane recommended) and sketch the shape of your brooch using the ellipse tool. Adjust dimensions to cover the unwanted detail on your clothing.
    • Create a new sketch plane and use the spline tool to design the profile of your brooch, aiming for a symmetrical shape.
    • Create a surface using the profile and guide rail. This forms the basic 3D shape of your brooch.
    • Add wall thickness (1mm recommended for gold-plated brass) to ensure printability. Consider minimum wall thickness guidelines of your 3D printing service.
    Add wall thickness (1mm recommended for gold-plated brass) to ensure printability. Consider minimum wall thickness guidelines of your 3D printing service.Add wall thickness (1mm recommended for gold-plated brass) to ensure printability. Consider minimum wall thickness guidelines of your 3D printing service.Add wall thickness (1mm recommended for gold-plated brass) to ensure printability. Consider minimum wall thickness guidelines of your 3D printing service.Add wall thickness (1mm recommended for gold-plated brass) to ensure printability. Consider minimum wall thickness guidelines of your 3D printing service.
    Brooch Design: Main Shape

  3. Brooch Design: Text Addition

    • Create a new sketch plane on the top and use the text tool to add your desired text. Ensure the typeface matches the one imported previously.
    • Adjust the text size and position to fit the brooch. Extrude the text, ensuring the starting point for extrusion is on the surface of the brooch to maintain curvature.
    • Add fillets to the letters for a smooth finish, especially if it will be attached to clothing.
    Add fillets to the letters for a smooth finish, especially if it will be attached to clothing.Add fillets to the letters for a smooth finish, especially if it will be attached to clothing.Add fillets to the letters for a smooth finish, especially if it will be attached to clothing.
    Brooch Design: Text Addition

  4. Enclosure Design

    • Create a side sketch plane and use the spline tool to design the shape of your enclosure (the back of the brooch that will hold a needle or pin).
    • Extrude this sketch in sculpting mode to create the 3D enclosure. Use symmetry to create a matching half.
    • Modify the enclosure vertices and edges in sculpt mode to achieve the desired shape (e.g., a 'cobra' shape for secure needle placement).
    • Use the thickening tool in sculpting mode to create a solid enclosure.
    Use the thickening tool in sculpting mode to create a solid enclosure.Use the thickening tool in sculpting mode to create a solid enclosure.Use the thickening tool in sculpting mode to create a solid enclosure.Use the thickening tool in sculpting mode to create a solid enclosure.Use the thickening tool in sculpting mode to create a solid enclosure.
    Enclosure Design

  5. Needle Design

    • Create a sketch for the needle using the spline tool. Ensure the needle is long enough to accommodate the curve when attached to clothing.
    • Use the pipe tool to create the needle, adjusting diameter (1mm) and end point to make it pointed. Make sure the diameter meets the minimum requirement of your 3D printing service.
    • Use manipulators to refine the needle shape.
    • Add fillets to the needle to ensure a smooth finish.
    Add fillets to the needle to ensure a smooth finish.Add fillets to the needle to ensure a smooth finish.Add fillets to the needle to ensure a smooth finish.Add fillets to the needle to ensure a smooth finish.
    Needle Design

  6. Visualization and Export

    • Render the design in Fusion 360 to visualize the final result. Apply gold material to the render for a preview of the final product.
    • Combine all bodies (brooch, enclosure, needle, letters) into one body and export as a single STL file.
    Combine all bodies (brooch, enclosure, needle, letters) into one body and export as a single STL file.Combine all bodies (brooch, enclosure, needle, letters) into one body and export as a single STL file.
    Visualization and Export

  7. Test Print

    • 3D print a test piece in a material that mimics the final material (gold-plated brass) to check the design and ensure everything fits together correctly before making the final print.
    3D print a test piece in a material that mimics the final material (gold-plated brass) to check the design and ensure everything fits together correctly before making the final print.
    Test Print

Read more: DIY Wonky House Brooches: The Fastest & Easiest Method

Tips

  • Check design guidelines from your 3D printing service provider (e.g., Shapeways) before designing to ensure printability and material compatibility.
  • Pay close attention to wall thickness requirements for your chosen material. This prevents breakage during printing or casting.
  • When extruding text, select the base surface as the starting point to maintain the curvature of the brooch.
  • Make sure all edges that touch clothing are rounded to prevent ridges and ensure a smooth fit.
  • Use sculpting mode to fine tune the shape and details of your design.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Inadequate Support Structure

Reason: Intricate or overhanging brooch designs can warp or fail to print correctly without sufficient support material.
Solution: Add support structures strategically during the slicing process to ensure all parts of the brooch are adequately supported during printing.

2. Incorrect Scaling/Sizing

Reason: Printing a brooch too large or too small can render it unusable or aesthetically unpleasing; the design may not properly cover the intended clothing detail.
Solution: Carefully check and adjust the scale of your 3D model in your slicing software to match the desired size and dimensions before printing.

FAQs

What kind of 3D printer and filament are best for making brooches?
For brooches, an FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printer is suitable and cost-effective. PLA filament is a good choice because it's easy to print with, relatively strong, and comes in various colors. Consider using a higher-quality PLA for a more durable, smoother finish.
How do I ensure the brooch securely attaches to my clothing?
You can incorporate a pin backing into your 3D model design, or attach a commercially available brooch pin after printing. For added security, consider using a small amount of strong adhesive (like E6000) to secure the pin to the brooch, especially if using a softer filament.
What software do I need to design my brooch?
Many free and paid 3D modeling programs exist. Tinkercad is a beginner-friendly option, while more advanced users might prefer Blender or Fusion 360. Choose software based on your experience level and the complexity of your design.