Patches Are A Worldwide Symbol Of Membership And Belonging

Custom embroidered patches are just about everywhere in the world today. Military personnel wear them, as do bikers, police officers, firefighters, even astronauts. What is it about patches that makes them so popular?



Patches are simply defined as small pieces of cloth sewn to clothing as an ornament or insignia. They can be attached to caps, shirts, jackets or just about any other articles of clothing. That’s the dictionary definition. But they can mean so much more to the people wearing them.



To the wearers, patches are a symbol of belonging, of being a part of something larger than themselves. Whether the show membership in a military unit, a business organization, a motorcycle club or other group, patches show that people are committed to something beyond just their individual lives.



By bringing individuals together and contributing to esprit de corps and a sense of mission, embroidered patches also serve to create groups.



Embroidery was originally an expensive hand-crafted art. The advent of sewing machines and embroidery machines in the mid-19th century lowered the cost of producing embroidery, making the mass production of embroidery possible today.



Military patches soon became a way for members of specific military units to recognize each other. Over the years, designs of military patches have evolved into specific patches for each unit, division and branch of the U.S. to show particular organizations and purposes.



Patches are part of the standard uniform of police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers. Because they are quick, easy way to determine both membership and rank, they serve as a means to help fellow both civilians and fellow officers identify people as needed.



Beginning with the Gemini Five mission in 1965, NASA space missions have had their own custom-designed patches, usually designed by the astronauts themselves. Astronauts Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad created the first such patches for Gemini Five to personalize the mission. The patches also help showcase membership in the elite group known as astronauts, those possessing the mythical "right stuff."



Businesses also often depend on custom embroidered patches as a way to identify employees. The patches employees wear as a part of their uniforms become a visual link to the employer and help promote the business to customers.



Motorcycle clubs also have embraced embroidered patches as part of their group identifiers. The patches are most commonly worn on the back of leather jackets or vests. For clubs that have three-piece back patches, the earning of a "full patch" is a hard-won symbol of acceptance into the club, something that members wear with pride for life.



In recent years, patches have even become fashion, or in some cases anti-fashion, statements. Made of various materials and emblazoned with a variety of sayings, they can make a statement without the wearer needing to say a word.



Today’s patches are a cost-effective way to signal identity, used by many people and organizations to show membership and belonging. A good supplier can provide quality products that are ideal for just about any organization.