Today we're doing a bit of craftivism on this channel. In isolation times I've been privileged enough to have quite a lot of time on my hands and have spend a lot of that time sewing. So when I saw CL Gamble on twitter asking people to get involved in their Blanket Fort project and sending out packs of fabric and beads and other lovely things to make patches from I was like "Heck yeah involve me".

So CL very kindly sent me a pack of fabric to get started and here I was, getting into craftivism and keeping my activism going in quarantine... even though a lot of my activism is online anyway.


Craftivism is a mix of activism and crafting and can be done in so many different ways, but a lot of people I've seen doing it (and a way I love) is using embroidery to make protest signs/pieces of art calling for action or calling out brands and people's behaviour.

If you want to make a patch like mine you can follow along on the video or this blog post, this is the first time I've made anything like this so it turned out a little messy but it went well! It wasn't too difficult either.
Step 1 - Draw out your design
Of course if you want to be reckless you can draw your design straight onto the fabric... but in the interest of not potentially wasting loads of fabric I drew mine on paper.

This took quite a few iterations before I measured everything out properly so lettering was even.
 Step 2 - Cut out your design on fabric (optional)
I didn't have enough of my chosen fabric to put on an embroidery hoop so I decided to cut out my fabric and then put that on a second piece of fabric in the hoop... but if you have lots of your chosen fabric you can skip straight to tracing your design out.
 Step 3 - Trace out lettering /design
Next you'll want to trace your inner design onto the fabric to later embroider. I recommend using a light box for this if you have one but you don't always need one, you can use a window, or on really light material just do it on a table.

Also if you skipped step 2 and haven't cut out your design you'll want to trace the outer shape too to make it easier to cut out later.
 Step 4 - Put your fabric in an embroidery hoop!
As I had two layers of fabric I simply put my bottom layer into the hoop and then pinned my other layer on top. Make sure it's nice and tight and you're ready to sew
Step 5 - SEW! 
Next up get sewing, I used a 2 ply satin stitch for all the lettering, and for my little outline for the collar. It took me about 7 hours to sew it all, while watching TV and doing other things.
Step 6 - Cut out your patch
Once you've done the sewing of the inside portion of your patch then take it out of your hoop and then cut it out.


Step 7 - Sew the edges
Once you've cut your patch out you'll want to finish the edges so you have a neat outline and they don't fray, the way I did this was using a simple blanket stitch, nice and easy.
Step 7 -Admire your work!
You're done, look at what you've done able be proud! My patch was a little messy but I think it went real well for my first ever attempt!

I hope you have enjoyed this little tutorial and maybe it has inspired you to get into a bit of craftivism yourself, there's no one way of doing it, just get some craft supplies out and get making! I will see you all very soon.

See Also: Patching Jeans and Patchin' Jackets (Visible Mending)

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