| ign="center"> | | | | The U.S. Armed Forces is a good example. Military |
| Custom embroidered patches are just about | | | | units, branches, and divisions all have their own |
| everywhere you look. Motorcycle club members, | | | | individual identification patches. In many cases, |
| mechanics, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, you name it, | | | | soldiers have designed the patches to create a |
| they have patches on their jackets, uniforms or | | | | look unique to their specific unit. |
| other apparel. There are custom designs on the | | | | In the 1960s, NASA astronauts began designing |
| market for virtually everyone, or you can create | | | | custom patches for their own missions. The 1965 |
| your own. | | | | Gemini V mission in 1965 was the first to fly a |
| Patches serve as a way to identify employees of | | | | patch, designed by astronauts Gordon Cooper and |
| a specific company, a club or other organization, | | | | Pete Conrad. |
| of course. But they also serve another purpose. | | | | Police, firefighters and other emergency workers |
| Embroidered patches serve a basic human desire | | | | wear patches as a quick way to determine rank |
| to belong, to be a part of a group. They mark | | | | and to help fellow officers and civilians identify |
| one as a member of the tribe, connected to | | | | them quickly. In an emergency situation, they can |
| something more than themselves. | | | | help identify responders quickly, and could literally |
| Although the art of embroidery dates back | | | | be a matter of life and death. |
| thousands of years, machine embroidery | | | | Motorcycle clubs are closely identified with custom |
| developed only within the past couple of centuries. | | | | embroidered patches as well. They are commonly |
| The computer revolution of the last 30 years has | | | | a major identifier for such clubs. The three-piece |
| revolutionized machine embroidery and | | | | patches that feature a large center design flanked |
| patch-making. Computer-controlled embroidery | | | | by top and bottom rockers identify outlaw |
| machines make patches possible in virtually any | | | | clubs, those not sanctioned by the American |
| design desired. Custom shapes and sizes are no | | | | Motorcyclist Association. Traditionally, earning |
| problem, and multiple thread colors, coupled with | | | | these requires a long apprenticeship or prospect |
| computer-aided design, can create true works of | | | | period that can last years. Once won, these |
| art. | | | | patches are worn for a lifetime in most cases. |
| Modern embroidered patches are inexpensive to | | | | Businesses also use embroidered patches as a |
| produce, easy to attach to clothing and can be | | | | means to identify employees. The patches are |
| created quickly enough to fit just about any | | | | part of the employees’ uniform, a visible |
| organizational needs. Because patches can be so | | | | sign that the employee works for the employer. |
| expressive, they are popular throughout the | | | | These patches serve to identify the employees |
| world, essentially becoming a small billboard for the | | | | to the public. |
| message they carry. | | | | Embroidered patches are a versatile identification |
| It might seem improbable, but patches help bring | | | | device, which can show membership, group |
| people together. Through the group identity role, | | | | loyalty or employment with a specific organization. |
| the small pieces of cloth help bond people to each | | | | They are also small embroidered works of art |
| other and generate camaraderie, whether in a | | | | that many people appreciate for their aesthetic |
| workplace, a club or a Scout troop. | | | | appeal as well. |