Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 03-13-2013 08:19 AM               

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With the greater use computerized sewing machines, vendors are bypassing the process of making a separate patch and having the emblem directly embroidered onto the shirt or another piece of clothing.

Will this have an effect on the future of patches? Some of the emblems do not exist separately as standalone patches.

Do these "emblems" qualify as patches? I have even gone to the length of purchasing shirts on eBay (for very low prices) and cutting out the emblem.

Posts: 1031
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Jan 2003

Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

Posts: 596
From: Lansing, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012

posted 03-13-2013 08:29 PM               

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Agreed. However, patches are used in so many other ways too. I don't think we'll see the demise of the patch any time soon.

And personally, I wouldn't consider the stuff embroidered on shirts as being patches. Yes, they may be the emblems of the mission. But they aren't the same to me. Patches are tangible. The only way to collect the emblems you mention is to either keep the item it is embroidered on, or cut it out. And that to me destroys the intent. But that's just my opinion.