Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How to attach badges to Brownie sash?

27 replies

Happyelfjokeday · 18/09/2022 21:57

Omg the sash material is so thick! I have done 1/3 of one badge and my poor fingers. What type of needle do I need? Or can I use the sticky iron on stuff? I have 5 badges to sew on… send help! 😫

OP posts:
CaribouCarafe · 18/09/2022 21:59

Are you using a thimble? Might be easier if you use one to push the needle through rather than pulling it through thimblelessly?

toomuchfaster · 18/09/2022 21:59

Don't!! Our Brown Owl recommended to get the gilet to sew badges on and refuses to help people that get the sash!

CeeceeBloomingdale · 18/09/2022 22:00

Don’t sew it all the way through, just pick up the odd thread from the top surface. Sorry if that’s obvious.

FastandLoose · 18/09/2022 22:01

Wasted flipping hours on that bloody thing. The next daughter will be having them glued on.

Tidypidy · 18/09/2022 22:01

I used fabric glue- worked a treat until she wanted to take them off to sew onto her badge blanket 🤣

OhTheLeetleHandsAndFeetle · 18/09/2022 22:01

Oh god. Those sashes are made of blood tungsten. I used to save up badges and take them to the dry cleaners, who offered a sewing service, to get the bastard things sewn on.

Original poster
Happyelfjokeday · 18/09/2022 22:02

It’s really hard to catch the top surface, like it’s designed to make life really difficult!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Happyelfjokeday · 18/09/2022 22:04

Why would they design it like this?! Why?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Happyelfjokeday · 18/09/2022 22:06

I think I have some fabric glue & I also think I have some of the iron on fabric stuff so will have to try that for the others (and assume they will never need to migrate to a blanket…!). I suppose I’d better use a thimble to complete the one that’s in progress.

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2022 22:06

It took me hours to sew on my daughters badges. All I can say is to sew through the top layer of fabric. Not the double thickness. I also used the stitching on the side of the sash. I caught it in my stitches where I could.

My daughter loved getting badges and managed to fill up TWO sashes. It was painful. I used the tv remote to hammer the needle through on several occasions.

OhTheLeetleHandsAndFeetle · 18/09/2022 22:06

Happyelfjokeday · 18/09/2022 22:02

It’s really hard to catch the top surface, like it’s designed to make life really difficult!!

I always thought this, too.

Was so bloody relieved when she switched her attentions to Pony Club, with its easy-to-sew-badges-onto jumpers.

StarDolphins · 18/09/2022 22:06

I just used hemming tape & ironed them on!

DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2022 22:08

After it was worn a bit it softened. I wonder if a wash would help to soften the fabric?

SpaceJamtart · 18/09/2022 22:08

When I was a brownie, my mum did the iron on sticky stuff, it came undone quite quickly because of how much the sash moves about.
She stapled them on when they fell off after that.

twilightcafe · 18/09/2022 22:09

SpaceJamtart · 18/09/2022 22:08

When I was a brownie, my mum did the iron on sticky stuff, it came undone quite quickly because of how much the sash moves about.
She stapled them on when they fell off after that.

Stapled them on?
That is GENIUS.

Original poster
Happyelfjokeday · 18/09/2022 22:09

DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2022 22:08

After it was worn a bit it softened. I wonder if a wash would help to soften the fabric?

A wash is a good idea! If only I didn’t have a partially complete badge attached :(

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2022 22:20

The owls in the unit said that the brownies should be sewing their own badges on. This was when I realised the owls had no idea how difficult it was to sew on the sash which might as well be shoe leather.

MrsFionaCharming · 18/09/2022 22:21

Glue them on if necessary. When she moved up to Guides, find someone with a sewing machine to sew the whole sash onto her blanket - no need to redo each individual badge!

Original poster
Happyelfjokeday · 18/09/2022 22:24

Glueing does sound like the way to go! I will finish the partially done one tomorrow night when my fingers have recovered and then attaching the others in a different way!

OP posts:
GuidingSpirit · 18/09/2022 22:30

Brownie leader here - please don't use glue!! If you ever need to wash the sash, it will make a right mess.

Best is to put the sash in the wash with some fabric softener - i don't know the science but it makes it much easier to sew through. Then when you are sewing on the badges, make sure you are just catching the top thread and not going all the way through.

For anyone on this thread that hasn't yet bought a sash, buy the gilet instead for badges. Far nicer and much easier to sew on!

JenniferWooley · 18/09/2022 23:11

DobbyTheHouseElk · 18/09/2022 22:20

The owls in the unit said that the brownies should be sewing their own badges on. This was when I realised the owls had no idea how difficult it was to sew on the sash which might as well be shoe leather.

I was a brown owl & would never suggest brownies attempt to sew their own badges onto the sash although with 2 ardent badge collectors of my own I maybe should have.

OP get a camp blanket & sew them on there although the sash is double layered (or it used to be) & you shouldn't be sewing through both layers.

Alarm59 · 18/09/2022 23:19

I agree with getting the camp blanket, it’s easier and my DD regrets not doing that on the first place

SheWoreYellow · 18/09/2022 23:21

GuidingSpirit · 18/09/2022 22:30

Brownie leader here - please don't use glue!! If you ever need to wash the sash, it will make a right mess.

Best is to put the sash in the wash with some fabric softener - i don't know the science but it makes it much easier to sew through. Then when you are sewing on the badges, make sure you are just catching the top thread and not going all the way through.

For anyone on this thread that hasn't yet bought a sash, buy the gilet instead for badges. Far nicer and much easier to sew on!

?? Fabric glue withstands washing. That’s the whole point. Please don’t give incorrect advice to parents who are struggling.

I used it on beaver and cub sweatshirts that were washed weekly.

GuidingSpirit · 18/09/2022 23:24

SheWoreYellow · 18/09/2022 23:21

?? Fabric glue withstands washing. That’s the whole point. Please don’t give incorrect advice to parents who are struggling.

I used it on beaver and cub sweatshirts that were washed weekly.

Show quote history

Well it may say it withstands washing but ive seen loads of ruined uniform from fabric glue in the 10yrs I've been volunteering and lots of upset parents as a result 🤷🏻‍♀️ So i stand by advice whether you think it is correct or not. Thanks.