Badge Magic - Part II - Did it Work?

After two months of testing Badge Magic, it’s time to share the results with you all. As a Scout, I live by the values of being trustworthy, loyal, and helpful, so I’ll be upfront with you about what worked and what didn’t. Spoiler alert: Badge Magic worked… sort of.

Let’s start with the merit badge sash. This is where Badge Magic really shines. For those of you unfamiliar, Badge Magic is a peel-and-stick adhesive that helps you attach patches to uniforms, sashes, and other gear without sewing. I was hopeful that this would be a great solution, especially for Scouts who don’t have the time or skills to sew. Well, I can confidently say that it held up just fine on the sash. The patches stayed put, and the adhesive worked well. But there's one caveat: we don’t wash the sash, and it doesn’t get as much rough handling as other parts of the uniform. Scouts aren’t exactly doing tug-of-war with their merit badge sashes, so the wear and tear is minimal. If you’re using Badge Magic for a sash, it’s safe to say it works perfectly.

However, I do have a small piece of advice: even though the Badge Magic held up, I still recommend sewing at least the corners of each patch. I always go around the edges just to make sure nothing starts to peel. Let the Scouts do this part themselves too; after all, they’ve worked hard to earn those badges, and they’ll take more pride in their achievements if they’re the ones attaching them. It's a learning experience as well, and it instills a sense of responsibility for their uniforms.

Now, onto the Scout shirt—this is where Badge Magic didn’t quite hold up as well. Unlike the sash, we wash these shirts, and they go through quite a bit of activity. Scouts are running, climbing, and doing all sorts of things that put strain on their uniforms. I noticed that while the round patches stayed attached pretty well, the square patches, especially the corners, began to peel off. The adhesive just didn’t seem to have the staying power for those particular patches, especially after a wash or two.

So, what’s my solution? Sew the corners, just like with the sash. I’m not saying you have to sew all the way around (though you certainly can if you’re willing), but tacking each corner will make a big difference. If you’re handy with a needle and thread, this is a quick fix, and it’ll keep everything in place much longer. If you’re not confident in your sewing abilities, that’s okay—this is a great opportunity to let your Scout take the reins. They can learn how to sew, even if it’s just a few stitches in each corner.

I’ll admit, sewing isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially with thicker material like the Scout shirts. You’ll need a good thimble to push the needle through, and it might take a little patience, but it’s worth it. I’ve learned a few tricks along the way, like rolling the thread to make a knot and using sharp scissors to get clean ends for threading the needle. Once you get the hang of it, it’s not too bad.

I also had one of our Scouts, Julian, demonstrate how he uses Badge Magic to attach merit badges to his sash. He did a great job showing how to trace around the badge, cut out the adhesive, and apply it. It’s a simple process, and it works well for merit badges on the sash. Julian’s demo is a reminder that Badge Magic is a good tool for some things, but not for everything.

At the end of the day, Badge Magic is a great option for those who need a quick and easy way to attach patches, especially on items that don’t get washed or handled roughly. For sashes, it’s a winner. For Scout shirts, especially with square patches, I’d say skip it and opt for sewing. And most importantly, let the Scouts do it themselves. Whether they’re using Badge Magic or a needle and thread, they’ll take pride in their work and learn valuable skills in the process.

So there you have it—Badge Magic works, but with some limitations. If you’re looking for a quick fix for merit badge sashes, it’s a solid choice. For Scout shirts, be prepared to break out the needle and thread. Happy Scouting!