How to display a collection of embroidered sew-on country badges/patches

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How to display a collection of embroidered sew-on country badges/patches

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Started 11 months ago by gillespieza
Latest reply from Joless
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gillespieza
Member

For several years, I have collected embroidered country badges/sew-on patches (similar to these: http://www.footballheaven.net/acatalog/Sew_On_Patches_Country.html) from every country I have travelled to. Originally, my intention was to sew them on to my backpack, but as my travel style changed and my luggage changed with it (several times), I realised that fixing them to a specific piece of luggage wasn't the best way to display these.

I am now at a bit of a loss as to what to do with these. I had thought to sew them on to a nice piece of canvas and then framing the canvas, but that isn't really "extensible", and I will end up having to re-frame the canvas as the country badge collection grows, which will be inefficient and leave me with frames that I will have to find alternative art for...

I don't think individual frames will work out well as the badges are quite small, which means there will be a lot of nails/picture hooks in the walls. This isn't ideal since I rent. Also, lots of small frames will be expensive.

Any ideas?

Posted 11 months ago #
irishbell
Member

I know you don't want to have lots of small frames, but-you could do a series of identical medium size frames, you'd have a few frames totally filled, plus one waiting to be filled.
are these something you could affix to card stock and put in a scrapbook? a photo album? a binder?

Posted 11 months ago #
Emilie
Member

As a sewer, the first thing coming to my mind is that you could sew the patches onto fabric and then make a large quilt out of them. You could also leave some space on the quilt for future patches. Although of course, this would involve either you sewing it (which would be time intensive) or getting someone else to do it for you. I don't know, it might look strange, but I just thought I'd throw it out there.

Posted 11 months ago #
susanintexas
Member

I was thinking along the same lines as Irishbell -- perhaps affix them in a binder using self-stick velcro, and have one frame for the wall. You could periodically swap them out so that different ones are on display instead of in the binder.

Have you considered sewing them on fabric -- sort of like a scout merit badge sash? That's how my MIL displays her hundred of Fiesta medals.

Posted 11 months ago #
Sky
Member

Maybe sew them on a jacket? I have (too many) Hard Rock guitar pins and they are all pinned to my Hard Rock jeans jacket.

I like the idea of framing groups of them too.

Posted 11 months ago #
bandicoot
Member

they sound cute, but my clutter radar is going off.
all this effort and expense, for what amounts to little squares of machine-embroidered fabric.
i realise they are mementos, but it sounds like there is nowhere and no easy way to store them or display them.

me?
i vote for a digital photo of each one and have a revolving display on your desktop!
you will notice (and enjoy) them there more often than you might imagine.

Posted 11 months ago #
JuliaJayne
Member

Another option is an archival photo album. The type which has pockets to slide photo in (only you'll use it for your patches) This will make it simple for now, has room for more, and will leave your options open for in the future. Personally, I like collections of small items like your patches as artwork. I once saw a collection of concert tickets framed so artfully that I regretted getting rid of all my tickets. It would have been a nice reminder of all the concerts I/we had seen over the years. I know people say that you always have your memories, but sometimes both my husband and I struggle to remember every concert we've seen.

Posted 11 months ago #
hazygirl
Member

I have two suggestions. To display in your house use a shadow box that has a door that opens in front making it easier to add to the collection. These are available in lots of different sizes at hobby stores. Or sew them to a travel vest that you can wear when you travel or display. There are many of these available; or you can make you own.

Posted 11 months ago #
Joless
Member

I had a whole bunch of these badges when I was younger and I sewed them all onto a blanket which I used at Guide camp. It was a great talking point and there was always space to add another one :-)

Posted 11 months ago #

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