DIY Embroidery Pin Badges: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 28/01/2025

Embroidery is a timeless craft, offering a unique way to express creativity and personalize belongings. Now, imagine taking that artistry and shrinking it down to create adorable, wearable works of art: embroidered pin badges! These miniature masterpieces are perfect for adding a touch of handmade charm to bags, jackets, or even hats. They make fantastic gifts, too, showcasing your individual style and the effort you've poured into their creation. Whether you're a seasoned stitcher or a complete beginner, the possibilities are endless, from whimsical floral designs to bold geometric patterns.

This guide will walk you through the process of creating your own DIY embroidered pin badges, from selecting your materials to finishing the final touches. Let's dive into a step-by-step process that will equip you with the skills to design and craft your own unique and stylish pin badges, transforming simple fabric into personalized accessories.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Embroidery designs (Christmas minis in this example)
  • Felt
  • Fabric glue
  • Scissors
  • Pen
  • Pin backs
  • Plastic from packaging (e.g., Pringles lid)
  • Embroidery needle (size 7)
  • Embroidery thread (4-6 strands)
  • Glue stick
Safety Guidelines
  • Always use sharp needles with caution. Keep them away from children and store them safely when not in use.
  • Be mindful of your fingers when working with needles and embroidery hoops. Take breaks if you feel fatigued to prevent accidental pricks.
  • Ensure your work surface is clean and well-lit to avoid eye strain and accidents.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Embroidery

    • Check and fix any misshapen edges of your embroidered circles.
    • Draw a cutting line 1/8 inch outside your embroidered circle.
    • Cut out the design, leaving a little extra fabric around the embroidery.
    Cut out the design, leaving a little extra fabric around the embroidery.Cut out the design, leaving a little extra fabric around the embroidery.Cut out the design, leaving a little extra fabric around the embroidery.
    Prepare the Embroidery

  2. Attach Felt Backing

    • Cut a felt circle slightly larger than your design (including the extra fabric).
    • Apply fabric glue to one side of the felt circle and press it onto the back of your design, tucking in loose threads.
    Apply fabric glue to one side of the felt circle and press it onto the back of your design, tucking in loose threads.Apply fabric glue to one side of the felt circle and press it onto the back of your design, tucking in loose threads.
    Attach Felt Backing

  3. Prepare the Pin Backing

    • Cut another felt circle, slightly larger than the first. This is the back piece.
    • Position the pin backing on the back felt circle and mark the center.
    • Make two small slits in the back felt for the pin clasp and hinge (vertical and horizontal).
    Make two small slits in the back felt for the pin clasp and hinge (vertical and horizontal).Make two small slits in the back felt for the pin clasp and hinge (vertical and horizontal).Make two small slits in the back felt for the pin clasp and hinge (vertical and horizontal).
    Prepare the Pin Backing

  4. Add Stabilizing Plastic Circle

    • Cut out a plastic circle (from packaging), slightly smaller than your design, using your design as a template.
    • Apply glue stick to one side of the plastic circle and adhere it to the back felt (with the pin already attached).
    Apply glue stick to one side of the plastic circle and adhere it to the back felt (with the pin already attached).Apply glue stick to one side of the plastic circle and adhere it to the back felt (with the pin already attached).Apply glue stick to one side of the plastic circle and adhere it to the back felt (with the pin already attached).Apply glue stick to one side of the plastic circle and adhere it to the back felt (with the pin already attached).
    Add Stabilizing Plastic Circle

  5. Attach Front and Back

    • Cut out the embroidered design along the previously drawn cutting line.
    • Apply glue stick to the other side of the plastic circle. Attach the front of your design to the plastic, pressing firmly.
    Apply glue stick to the other side of the plastic circle. Attach the front of your design to the plastic, pressing firmly.Apply glue stick to the other side of the plastic circle. Attach the front of your design to the plastic, pressing firmly.Apply glue stick to the other side of the plastic circle. Attach the front of your design to the plastic, pressing firmly.Apply glue stick to the other side of the plastic circle. Attach the front of your design to the plastic, pressing firmly.
    Attach Front and Back

  6. Finishing Touches

    • Trim excess felt from the back once the glue is dry.
    Trim excess felt from the back once the glue is dry.Trim excess felt from the back once the glue is dry.
    Finishing Touches

  7. Whipstitch and Secure

    • Use 4-6 strands of embroidery thread and a size 7 needle to whipstitch around the edge of your badge, securing the layers together and hiding the raw edges.
    • Secure the thread with a knot between the felt layers at the beginning and end.
    Secure the thread with a knot between the felt layers at the beginning and end.Secure the thread with a knot between the felt layers at the beginning and end.Secure the thread with a knot between the felt layers at the beginning and end.Secure the thread with a knot between the felt layers at the beginning and end.
    Whipstitch and Secure

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

Tips

  • Keeping your designs in the hoop while adding felt helps maintain the shape of the fabric.
  • Use a Pringles lid or similar plastic for the stiffening disc.
  • Keep stitches close together for a neat finish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Pulling the embroidery thread too tight

Reason: This can cause puckering and distortion in the fabric, ruining the overall look of the badge.
Solution: Maintain a consistent, gentle tension on the thread throughout the embroidery process.

2. Using the wrong type of fabric or stabilizer

Reason: Thin fabrics may be too delicate for embroidery, while unsuitable stabilizers can lead to puckering, wrinkles, or difficulty in cutting out the finished badge.
Solution: Choose a sturdy, tightly woven fabric and a suitable stabilizer that will support the embroidery without distorting the design.

FAQs

What type of fabric is best for embroidery pin badges?
A tightly woven fabric like cotton or linen works well for embroidery pin badges. Avoid fabrics that are too loosely woven as they may fray easily and make it difficult to achieve a neat finish.