Hey Baqash, unfortunately I will be unable to make the event (as much as I would love to be there and meet you), but I would love to have one of the patches if you are making extras. I would be happy to send you some money and pay the postage... If you have extras.

Sounds cool.

Love patches.

Post updates, please.

Zinni

I love patches too, I would get one...

The patch will be 2" wide, at the widest part, and about 5" long. Cost will be $2.75 plus SASE. When the patches arrive I'll check with the PO to find out the postage for various quantities.

I'm expecting delivery very soon. When they arrive I'll go to the PO to get the shipping costs. As soon as I have the patches and costs ($2.75 & SASE) I'll let everyone know. Thanks.

I just talked to the vendor. Soon, very soon. SASE info will be posted as soon as I get the patches.

I found this post on patches, however Team NH is currently taking a break from AQ even if he does still have any around.

pre

We received our new Southwest Patches today. We love them. They are terrific: well designed, bright, appealing colors, and nicely made. Thank you Baqash for spearheading this project.

Grumpy Grinch

We have now added both the Letterboxing Southwest and the WWIN patches to the historical Archive. Many thanks to Baqash and Grrly Girl for their prompt submissions to the exhibit!

http://www.weliveandbreathe.com/history_patches.htm

My, how the collection has grown! The exhibit is now at least a full third larger than it was at Live & Breathe just six short months ago! This is the combined effect of new patches being made, and people stepping forward to submit older patches that we had been unable to locate previously.

Just to keep everyone informed of our progress... RaqsEnigma and I have purchased some very nice cloth banners and portable stands on which to stretch them. The next step is to get all the patches mounted onto the banners. Meanwhile, we continue our ongoing effort to compile as much historical data as possible about each patch.

It's going to be a very impressive display... about 10 feet wide and 5 feet high! We're really looking forward to seeing the reaction as the "wall of patches" starts showing up at letterboxing events around the country. We've already talked to the planners for LB CON 2009, and they are going to be providing us with a very nice display area for the exhibit during that event.

We wish to extend our gratitude to everyone who has contributed patches, historical information, and/or financial support to this historical Archive!

--Der Mad Stamper

I was looking at the online collection again just yesterday! I love looking at the variety and getting ideas. That new southwest patch looks SHARP! I didn't vote for that design, but boy, it sure looks great as a patch.

I have a "collector" gene in me somewhere, not that I have all of these patches, I like to buy them after I "earn" them, but I love staring at this collection.

Thanks so much for taking on this endeavor! It is amazing!

jackbear

I was looking at the online collection again just yesterday! I love looking at the variety and getting ideas. That new southwest patch looks SHARP! I didn't vote for that design, but boy, it sure looks great as a patch.

I have a "collector" gene in me somewhere, not that I have all of these patches, I like to buy them after I "earn" them, but I love staring at this collection.

Thanks so much for taking on this endeavor! It is amazing!

jackbear

You're welcome, jackbear. And, you're right... it IS kind of amazing. To be honest, this project sort of took on a life of its own. We had become the curators of a very special collection before we even realized that it WAS such a special collection! All the stars and planets (and letterboxers) were aligned just right, and it happened. Now that it's happened, I think we feel a certain amount of responsibility to keep it alive. But a lot of different people are responsible for making this collection what it is... not just us!

I'm like you... I have my own personal collection of patches that I've earned. I make a very clear distinction between "my" patches and the ones that are in the traveling archive (although I have personally donated some of "my" earliest patches to the archive, and have provided funds to purchase some of the others). But, as far as I'm concerned, the archive belongs to the letterboxing community... we just happened to stumble into a situation where we were able to help organize it and assume responsibility for taking care of it.

--DMS

Try Patch Attach. You can get it at any craft or sewing store. You just put it on the patch, let it set for 10 minutes then iron it on with a VERY hot iron. Then you're good to go. I've used it on uniforms, that worked the best but have also used it on my backpack where I could not sew it on. I've had a little peeling but can't say that I got the iron hot enough and that I'm all that gentle with my bag. Hope this helps!

Try

http://www.badgemagic.com/

or

http://www.ehow.com/how_2041269_sew-boy-scout-patch-uniform.html

I sew mine on using a heavy needle. just make sure the needle is sharp, as often heavier needles seem to be for kids crafts or crafts nor requiring a point.

I personally do not recommend the Patch Attach or other glues. They NEVER stayed on the girls' karate uniforms. I figured my backpack would get just as much wear-and-tear so I sew them on because it's not worth it to loose a patch in the woods!

Thanks for posting this - I only have one patch on my backpack and I had a terrible time sewing it on. But I must admit I'm not a sewing person at all!!! I don't even do buttons. I have a few more to add and I've been dreading it. I think I'll try the Patch Attach that Buckeye Bulldog mentioned and then add a few stitches around it just to make sure, instead of stitching all the way around (insert rolling eyeballs).

let me know if the patch attach works otherwise I may need a different backpack!!

Thanks

GG

While I haven't tried it, my friends have raved about the Badge Magic. It doesn't need ironing, so it might be safer on a backpack than the Patch Attach, which does. I have a sheet of it, but I haven't actually tried it yet. Maybe my WWIN patch will be the guinea pig!

Kit Kat

For sewing patches, the needle can be too big. You need a medium sized needle, and make SURE the eye is not wider than the rest of the needle. Regular thread is fine, or use can use quilting thread if you are feeling paranoid. It doesn't have to be heavy thread - there's not a lot of stress on these patches - all they are doing is hanging there...... ;-))

If the eye of the needle is bigger than the rest of it, that makes it impossible to pull through tightly woven fabrics that backpacks and patches are made out of. OTOH, you want a needle that's as wide as your thread, so it's not impossible to pull the thread through the hole the needle just made. If the thread tangles, run it over something waxy (a candle will work fine, no need to buy anything special).

When sewing on the patch, if it has a satin stitch border around it (and most do) then all you need to do is catch a few threads on that border - you don't need to sew through the patch itself. Patches are coated on the back with stuff to prevent fraying, and that's what's hard to run the needle through.

The best fabric glue in the business is called Fabri-tac, and that's what's used to glue bridal stuff together (beads and what not on veils, and all those pieces and stuff). It's permanent. I've never used it on a patch, and wouldn't recommend it. I don't recommend any glue. A needle and thread is cheap, and all it takes is patience - put on a good movie ;-))

And don't buy the "invisible" thread - it's like thin fishing line and will drive you crazy! Get a few basic colors - if you get close to the color of the patch edge, it won't show.

Mama Fox, former professional sewist.....

I didn't sew my patches on. Instead I decided to make a loop of ribbon, hot glued it to the patch, then put them on a hiker clips, which then clips to my backpack. This way if I ever change bags (which I do often) I can just clip them on and off.

It's called Mighty Mend-It. I love that stuff. I got mine at Target in their "as seen on TV" section. I have used it for Patches on my backpack. Repaired my husbands winter coat. Used it to put a repair patch in his work pants, etc.

SFF

I think everyone knows what a patch is, but please look here to see what a "pathtag" is:
http://www.pathtags.com/

Several states are adopting challenge programs that will award a pathtag to a letterboxer who hikes a certain number of miles finding and planting letterboxers (like 25 miles).

What I'm curious to find out is if you participated in such a program, would you prefer to be awarded a patch, or a pathtag?

So please vote like this below:
funny = patch
interesting = pathtag

2cents: the patch

Zinni

I had the same problem with Badgemagic. My son's patches started lifting after the first washing and continued to get worse. I had to sew around each patch to keep them flat. I've sewed the rest of the patches on it took along time (he has a lot of arrowheads) but it was worth it.

I have two bags I used for letterboxing. One is a messenger style bag that holds all my assorted stuff for boxing. This one has all my patches and the one I would take to many events. Then I have a camel pak that I will put minimalist LB stuff in for a boxing day requiring extended hikes and water. I put just the WWIN patch on that one. (One suggestion)

I think the pathtags would be cool for certain long hikes like that state forest in CT that has a bunch o boxes. Then it could be specific to that trail.

But for us urban dwellers with a lot of drive bys and short hikes, it is hard to calculate mileage hiked. I think it would be cooler to get a patch for box count, then.

Mostly you buy them according to what you are interested in. Grateful Dead, the new WHich Way is North, and Boxing Buddies (dogs) apply to any one, I ordered teh CA state patch Eureka and teh Southwest as well. After I go boxing back east this summer I'll probably pick up a VA state one.

Very inexpensive, only $2 or $3 each and send a SASE with 2 or 3 stamps for 1 or 2 patches

They are often used as raffle prizes at events with otehr LB's- I order a few extras for that purpose.

I can't believe no one mentioned sewing them on with a SEWING MACHINE! That's what I did. Empty everything out of your backpack, use a couple of straight pins to pin the patch wherever you want, isolate the flap where the patch is and carefully shove it under the presser foot of your machine. There will be much maneuvering, twisting and turning but it will surely stay on as long as you want. You can use a straight stitch around the outer edge, just inside the satin-stitched edge or you can get fancy and zig-zag stitch right through the satin-stitched edge.

~~Doublesaj~~

. . .who sews practically night and day

which way is North patch...
who is selling that one

After I go boxing back east this summer I'll probably pick up a VA state one.

Manna and I are working on a Va. patch as we speak! Stay posted!!! :)

First Question: Is there already a strictly VA patch?

Second Question: @Casa del Sol, could I get a heads up when that VA one is done? : )

I live in VA and would be really excited to have a home state patch. Thanks!