How to Remove an Embroidered Patch From a Shirt

Many of us may not be aware of how to remove an embroidered patch from a shirt. This article will guide you on how to do it without damaging the shirt.

Let us first start by understanding what embroidery is. Most of us may describe it as a decoration. However, it might be correct. It is a skill of decorating your fabric or other materials with the help of a needle, thread, or yarn.

In this case, our material is a shirt. Some of the other materials that we may find in embroidery are pearls, quills, beads, and sequins. We find them mostly in shirts, caps, table clothing, and dress shirts.

With this introduction, let us now move to remove an embroidered patch from a shirt.

How to Remove an Embroidered Patch From the Shirt?

How to Remove an Embroidered Patch From the Shirt?

The good news is that embroiders can be removed. It will need a couple of things for you to be able to remove the embroidered patch successfully.

You will need a seam ripper, tweezers, duct tape, and magnifying glass for the successful removal of the patch.

Steps for Removing Hand-Sewn Embroidered Patch From a Shirt

Hand-sewn patches are pretty easy to remove. These patches are less tight than the machine’s stitches.

But before you start removing an embroidered patch, make sure you decide whether you want to remove an entire patch or some part of it.

It’s a bit easier to remove an entire patch. That’s because you don’t need to start with a particular corner. Likewise, if you want to remove some part of the patch, you may want to pick the right corner to start the process.

Step 1- Turn the Shirt Inside Out

The first thing you do is to turn the shirt or material inside out. After that, lay it out on a table or a flat surface where you can stretch it out.

When doing this step, please make sure that you have good lighting. Having good lighting will enable you to see well hence not damage the fabric. Once you stretch out the fabric in good lighting, we are ready for the next step.

Step 2- Remove the Stitches Using Seam Ripper

Remove the Stitches Using Seam Ripper

It is whereby we use the seam ripper. The use of this tool is to rip apart the stitches. Gently using the seam ripper, try to go underneath about 5 to 6 stitches at a time.

Make sure that you gently push against them so that the stitches start to cut apart.

Step 3- Turn the Shirt Right Side Out and Use Tweezers

Once we are done ripping the stitches and the section is completed, turn the clothing right side out. From here, you now get your tweezers. The tweezers help you pull and cut the stitches out.

At this step, make sure to stop if you feel any resistance. Do not proceed to pull since this may damage the material. Try to figure out what is causing the resistance by flipping it inside out again.

The most probable reason for this could be that there was a stitch that was left uncut. You need to find that stitch, remove it, and then continue with the process.

Once you are done with removing threads, use a lint brush to gather all the loose threads.

That’s it! As you can see, removing a hand-sewn embroidered patch is much easier than it appears. Following the above steps will help you remove the patch safely. At the same time, it won’t damage your shirt piece as well.

Steps to Remove Machine-Sewn Embroidered Patch From a Shirt

Remove Machine-Sewn Embroidered Patch From a Shirt

As earlier mentioned, machine-sewn embroideries are much tighter, hence making them more challenging to remove. What’s more, you may also deal with bobbing stitches.

Below are the steps to use to remove the machine-sewn embroidered patch from a shirt.

Step 1- Flip the Shirt Inside Out

Same as for the hand-sewn patches, the first thing you do is to flip the clothing inside out and lay it in the palm of your hand.

The stitch done by a machine is called a bobbin stitch. It is more difficult to remove. Thus, it might need some additional care while performing these steps. Firstly, you need to locate the bobbin stitch.

Step 2 – Use the Seam Ripper to Remove the Stitches

Once you pass the first step of finding stitches, take your seam ripper. After that, slide it underneath those bobbing stitches and start cutting.

Unlike hand-sewn, where we cut 5 or 6 inches, we cut 30 or 40 stitches for a machine-sewn embroidered patch.

Step 3- Check on the Stabilizer to Avoid Damaging the Shirt

After cutting the stitches, we need to go to the third step. There should always be a stabilizer between the shirt and the stitches. For the stabilizer to be seen or rather exposed, you need to cut all the stitches.

Be very cautious not to cut the stabilizer. The stabilizer protects your shirt from getting damaged. Once done, flip the shirt right side out and use tweezers to pull out all the stitches.

Step 4- Use Duct Tape to Remove Extra Pieces

Use Duct Tape to Remove Extra Pieces

Use duct tape to remove any extra pieces. How do you do this? Well, duct tape is relatively easy to use. You can do it by placing the tape on the shirt and peeling it off.

That’s how you remove the machine-sewn embroidered patch. In case if you don’t own a seam ripper, worry not! You can do the same thing with the help of scissors.

Nevertheless, it is essential to be very cautious while using scissors since it can easily damage or cut out your shirt. Thus, always give preference to seam rippers.

Using Embroidery Eraser to Remove an Embroidered Patch From a Shirt

Using Embroidery Eraser to Remove an Embroidered Patch From a Shirt

Nowadays, it’s easy to find an embroidery eraser in local fabric shops. This handy tool looks similar to beard trimmers. Nevertheless, it is quite helpful in removing embroidered patches.

Moreover, note that this tool is suitable for machine-sewn embroideries. That means it may not turn out to be ideal for hand-sewn embroideries. Let’s check out the steps to use an embroidery eraser for removing patches.

Step 1 – Turn the Shirt

Many people use an eraser against the front side of the Shirt. But it won’t work out and may turn the shirt to look fuzzy. Thus, make sure you use it at the shirt’s backside so that the fuzzy texture won’t appear.

Step 2 – Push Embroidery Eraser Against the Stitching

Set the embroidery eraser next to the embroidery’s edge. Besides, ensure that the blades fix well into the threads. Now, it’s time to push the tool forward slowly. You can move it for about 1 inch.

Step 3 – Move the Eraser Over Other Segments

You can move the eraser across the embroidery edges. Let it work on all sides of the embroidery. After you complete the first row, move to another one. Make sure you roll the eraser until it shaves off all the embroideries.

That’s how you can use an eraser to remove an embroidered patch from a shirt.

How Do I Remove an Embroidered Patch Without a Seam Ripper?

A seam ripper helps you remove the stitches with ease. If you do not own this handy tool, you can use a pair of scissors to do the same.

The only difference in this is that you will spend more time when using scissors. Scissors may seem bulky. Thus, it may not be as comfortable as the seam ripper.

Likewise, the chances of damaging your shirt are higher when using scissors. Thus, make sure you have a good quality seam ripper in your toolbox.

How to Remove Stitch Marks After Taking an Embroidered Patch Out?

The embroidered patch might leave some small holes behind after you take it out. Iron your shirt and then use fingernails to scrape the remains of stitch marks. Do it a few times, both in horizontal and vertical directions. Lastly, iron your shirt once again. It will remove all leftover stitch marks.

Jessica

Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress. Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years. I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills. It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.

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