Category Archives: Patch Design

Ghost Stitching Custom Boy Scout Patches

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“All emblems must contain a Boy Scouts of America corporate identifier: either, “BSA” without any periods, “Boy Scouts of America” or the BSA fleur-de-lis…”
-From the Boy Scouts of America guidelines for Custom Patches and Emblems

ghosted fleur

A common technique Stadri uses to gain compliance with the BSA’s standards is a stitching method called ghost stitching.

Ghost stitching embroiders the BSA identifier over the design in the same color as the design.

The result is an identifier that can be seen when closely inspected but doesn’t take away from the overall design of the patch.

Ghost stitching can also be used on the entire patch, matching the twill to the color of the thread. Such a technique can make for a patch that is hard to discern but vivid in contrast. Such patches can have a level of elegance that brings dress uniforms to a new level.
semi-ghosted fleur
semi-ghosted fleur

A Quasi-Ghost stitched patch will often be a split with some color in the text or image of the patch as well as in the merowed border.
semi-ghosted fleur

Ghost stitching doesn’t add any cost to the patch, making the technique even more valuable for adding dimension to the patch or hiding a message in the design.

A Brief Summary of Patrol Patches

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A subgroup to a Boy Scout troops larger whole, Boy Scout patrols have been part of scouting since its inception. Playing an important roll in boosting spirit while giving opportunities for leadership, skill development, and advancement, patrol patches often celebrate unique activities and are embroidered with some fantastic art that fits within its small space.

Orc Partrol Patch From ClassB.com

To meet the BSA requirements for uniform wear, patrol patches must be 1.5 inches round with a khaki background, khaki merrowed boarder, and use no more than three thread colors. Originally patrols took the name as animals and used colored ribbon or leather as an identifier. Over time, silk-screened patches replaced the ribbons until finally embroidered patches where introduced. Historically, patrols were encouraged to place adjectives in the patrol names to personalize and help build troop spirit.

Animal identifiers are still used but there are a number of other creative identifiers using objects, food and beliefs. These patrol patches can often fall outside of the BSA regulations using colorful twill and more than three thread colors. In some corners of the Internet, there has been a lively debate about whether troops should break BSA regulations. Some leaders believe that the regulations are clear and shouldn’t be broken while other leaders feel they can gain troop unity and morale. No matter what side of the debate, when troops participate in competitions where uniform inspections will occur, those not using patrol patches to BSA regulations may be docked some points.

Urban Land Scouts Vegtable Growing Patch

Even if the patrol patch isn’t to spec, the small size offers a great medium for any message. The popularity of patrol patches with those who don’t participate in scouting has increased recently. The Urban Land Scouts use patrol patches in an effort to educate about the human relationship to plant life and Mother Nature. Nerd Merit Badges celebrate quirky accomplishments like an empty email inbox and fixing broken printers. I’ve seen designs for coffee patrols, Mr. Potatohead patrols and cow bell patrols. Patrol patches are a fun way of celebrating just about anything.

What is your favorite patrol patch? What’s a patrol patch you’d love to have made?

This post first appeared on the InsaneScouter blog on 10/4/11

Stadri Emblems Scouting Jeopardy! Contest

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Before we dive into today’s post, lets get some ‘stuff’ out of the way.

I’m a bit of a nerd – I watch Jeopardy!

Thanks, I appreciate your support. Moving on…

Tuesday was a special night of Jeopardy! It was episode number 6137 (I told you I was a nerd) and featured a category in the Jeopardy! round that was Boy Scout focused. Since Jeopardy! is so much fun that they put an exclamation point after the word, lets turn the category into a little contest:

The Game:
Below are the questions. Leave your answers in the comments section and next Friday (May 6th, 2011) we’ll randomly pick a winner (using random.org) who has correctly answered all five questions.

Tell’em what they can win, Johnny!
One random winner will receive Stadri’s limited edition embroidered/printed patch combo (its a special process) commemorating Scouting’s 100th Anniversary:

Stadri Emblems Limited Edition Scouting Centennial Woven Patch

Oh, so pretty.
embroidered/printed patch measures 13.5 x 10 inches.

Fine print:
This is supposed to be fun, quick and easy. The contest isn’t approved or endorsed by anyone. Stadri is making no money off of this contest. We’ll only be able to ship within the U.S. Chance of winning depends on the number of comments or contestants. The winner will be notified via email (so be sure to fill out that field when leaving a comment) but we’ll announce it both on Twitter and Facebook once we’re able to contact the winner.

And now, the Jeopardy! round:

The theme:
A Scout is…
Each response will be one of the 12 qualities in the Boy Scout Law.

$200* Question:
Deserving of confidence; this 11-letter word is the first on the Scouts Law’s list

$400* Question:
Frugal, or a car rental company

$600* Question:
Faithful, be it to your nation or your pal

$800* Question:
This synonym for “amiable” linked with a comic book ghost

$1000* Question:
Exhibiting courage

*Not a real cash prize.