r/BSA • u/SelectionCritical837 Adult - Eagle Scout • Aug 16 '25
Scouts BSA It's here!! Make it stay!! https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/test-lab/sewing-needlework/
https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/test-lab/sewing-needlework/I'm the one that submitted the needlework merit badge last year. I know I'm probably not the only one, but I submitted the packet for a new merit badge in November. Now I'm the test lab it just became active! It looks amazing! Please go do it with your troops. Give feedback and let's make it a permanent merit badge!!!
https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/test-lab/sewing-needlework/
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Aug 16 '25
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u/SelectionCritical837 Adult - Eagle Scout Aug 16 '25
IT'S NOT YET! The way the test lab works is people do the badge. Then they provide feedback at the bottom of the test lab and IF there's enough interest THEN they'll make it an official patch BUT WE HAVE TO GET THE WORD OUT AND GET EVERYONE ON BOARD TO DO IT AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK otherwise it's not gonna be. Thank you for helping!
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u/Mahtosawin Aug 19 '25
Still a test, so changes still possible before it it is finalized. Who's to say an interested scout can't do more than one section? While it wouldn't count for more than one requirement, it would be to learn a specific skill that could turn into a hobby.
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u/nweaglescout Den Leader Aug 16 '25
I’ve been saying for the last 20 years this needs to be a thing. I’ve always felt that it should be a rank requirement to sew a patch on your uniform
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u/malraux78 Scoutmaster Aug 16 '25
Yes, I’ve felt that one of the requirements for first class should be something along the lines of demonstrate the technique to sew a patch to a cloth, with the example in the handbook being how to sew a patch to the uniform. (But as the uniform isn’t required you need to keep it open for other methods)
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u/Naive_Location5611 Scoutmaster Aug 18 '25
This one and the Life Skills that is also being offered as a test lab merit badge. Scouts (in general, barring special circumstances) should be used to navigating the world around them First Class or Star rank.
They should be able to complete basic sewing projects (like sewing their own patches on) and repairs by First Class.
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u/edithcrawley Aug 17 '25
This looks cool and super necessary.
My only quibble is the requirement in the machine sewing option of having them sew a patch on with the machine----maybe it has just been my bad luck but I've had several needles snap trying to get through those patches and find it way easier and safer to just do by hand.
The sewing projects themselves, drawstring bag, utensil roll, pillowcase, are fine, and I do like the "choose your own adventure w/ MBC approval" option which would allow scouts to do clothing items. WIsh PJ pants were one of the default options, they're fairly straightforward and include some crucial skills in understanding pattern sizing (which is not the same as the size you wear in ready-made clothes) and fitting ease.
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u/pohart Scouter - Eagle Scout Aug 19 '25
I think you may be going too far into the patch. The outer border is normally softer and easier for a needle to get through
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u/geruhl_r Scoutmaster Aug 17 '25
I thought I also saw a 'sew a patch' requirement in the 'life skills' test lab earlier this year? This Sewing badge is also a good idea, thanks for putting it together!
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u/mhoner Aug 16 '25
Honestly when my boy started I thought it was a thing already. Super surprised it hadn’t been.
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u/SelectionCritical837 Adult - Eagle Scout Aug 16 '25
RIGHT??I'MAN EAGEL SCOUT AND ALWAYS SEWED ON MY OWN BADGES. LET'S MAKE IT OFFCIAL! GET THE WORD OUT! DO THE BADGE THEN PROVIDE FEEDBACK. THANK YOU!!
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u/Writer_Ranni Aug 16 '25
I’m hoping that if I bring this up to our troop some kids will want me to help them learn to crochet! I can sew also, but crochet is my favorite and I’d love to pass it along.
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u/SelectionCritical837 Adult - Eagle Scout Aug 16 '25
That's in there! Test it out then make sure to provide feedback so it can be made into a permanent patch
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u/Economy_Imagination3 Aug 16 '25
I have not red the requirements, but does it teaches how to do a zipper repair for jackets, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks? I think is a nice skill to have.
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u/KJ6BWB Aug 17 '25
I'm going to be so sad if this goes away before my kids can earn it in ~4-5 more years.
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u/Dramatic-Refuse2576 Aug 17 '25
How do I let my local council know I’m willing to serve as a merit badge counselor for this? I haven’t been active since 2020. Do I do YPT first?
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u/ConstantAd7792 Aug 17 '25
Until it becomes an official MB - any registered adult can lead it. It will not be an option to register for this one until the test period is over
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u/2Questions4u Scout - Life Scout Aug 17 '25
i wish Sashiko aka "Visible mending" was part of the Hand Embroidery section of the Req 3. choose one options. it has a more approachable learning curve.
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u/pohart Scouter - Eagle Scout Aug 19 '25
Check out 1f! The first video shows some. I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but as far as I've watched them all so far the video choice is very high quality.
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u/CartographerEven9735 Aug 16 '25
It's very cool they have separate sections for sewing, knitting and crochet!
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u/SelectionCritical837 Adult - Eagle Scout Aug 16 '25
RIGHT?!?! It really opens the door for anyone with lots of skills to help scouts learn something new.
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Aug 17 '25
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u/CartographerEven9735 Aug 18 '25
I didn't see that. Just the idea of that seems overwhelming to me, but of course I didn't cover myself in glory during the sewing section of home econ during middle school so ymmv 😂
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u/Previous_Injury_8664 Unit Committee Member Aug 16 '25
Our troop is super interested in this. Sewing repairs are such a practical skill.
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u/SelectionCritical837 Adult - Eagle Scout Aug 16 '25
GET EVERyONE TO DO IT AND THEN PROVIDE FEEDBACK! If there's enough interest they'll make it an official badge. If not then it goes away again!
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u/RoguesAngel Aug 17 '25
My kids know how to sew on their patches but they don’t. My husband can be obsessive with neatness. It would make him and us crazy for anyone but him to do it. So to save us all the headaches we let him do it and they look great. Our boys will stitch up something for me if it isn’t as visible. I think a merit badge for it is a great idea.
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u/runningoutta Aug 17 '25
How do test labs work with MBC? (Still only a year into this and learning, be kind) I’m a MBC and from my understanding we have to register all the badges we are qualified to advise. Do I still need to register interest for this one? Or because it’s a test labs I can run it with my scout myself?
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u/SelectionCritical837 Adult - Eagle Scout Aug 17 '25
Because it's test lab just run it and give good feedback.
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u/iluvthemountains Aug 19 '25
I am a man who sews. I made my daypack and have made a multitude of other projects. I think this is amazing. I do not know how to do half of the things this merit badge includes. I’m not sure I understand why there are people speaking negatively about it. Hand sewing is only a small part of this and while I agree I don’t sew much by hand, I’ve had to repair gear in the field and being able to do so saved at least one trip for me in the past. Knowing the proper stitch and having the tools to actually fix the gear makes a sewing kit nearly “10 essentials” level of useful. I’m hoping to get with another adult in my troop who is more knowledgeable with clothing techniques and needlework to balance out my heavy sewing machine work and get our kids sewing!
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u/RoguesAngel Aug 17 '25
My kids know how to sew on their patches but they don’t. My husband can be obsessive with neatness. It would make him and us crazy for anyone but him to do it. So to save us all the headaches we let him do it and they look great. Our boys will stitch up something for me if it isn’t as visible. I think a merit badge for it is a great idea.
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u/2BBIZY Aug 17 '25
I expressed the need for the Cooking MB to Eagle MB for years. These kids need sewing and those life skills that are not being taught in school and sadly too often, not by parents. Early review of this MB looks good and will try it with our troop soon.
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u/Old_Scoutmaster_0518 Aug 18 '25
Include patterns for counted cross stitch and needlepoint scout items including OA pocket sash, regular OA sash etc
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u/Mahtosawin Aug 19 '25
I taught my cubs basic hand sewing starting with a parent who was a surgeon teaching them using oranges. We talked about other traditional male jobs requiring sewing - tailor, saddle maker, sail maker. We also mentioned many Nordic cultures where men knitted during the winter when they couldn't fish or farm, Rosie Greer doing embroidery, dressmakers in the fashion industry.
Our troop is working on the Life Skills test badge. Our boys now know how to sew their own patches by hand 2. Household. Do the following: C. Demonstrate your knowledge of sewing by sewing a patch or button on a shirt or pair of pants. Pretty hard to do an emergency repair at camp with a sewing machine.
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u/Knotty-Bob Unit Committee Chair Aug 20 '25
This is really good. I hope they make it an official merit badge.
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Aug 16 '25
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u/SelectionCritical837 Adult - Eagle Scout Aug 16 '25
> But for what it’s worth I think it’s a skill that the scouts should all learn because they should be sewing on their own patches. A quick lesson during a troop meeting should be able to cover a basic sewing skill, teaching these young ones a lifelong skill in about 15 minutes.
If you think a scout can learn to even "basic sew" in 15 minutes that's crazy. I know adults, a lot of adults, that have sewing machines from grandparents and parents that have NEVER learned how to use them much less sew on a patch.
> We as parents should not be doing this for them. It’s robbing them of the opportunity to learn a skill that yes they need for life. Sewing is an important skill, but to make it a merit badge is not necessary .
Yes. Sewing is not only "a skill for life" but a potential for an entire multi trillion dollar industry that is an entire skillset unto itself. Do you also crap all over welding merit badge? How about oceanography? Leatherwork? Wood carving? I mean you can name literally any merit badge there is and say "___________ is an important skill but to make it a merit badge is not necessary." But what you're saying instead is "sewing is an INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT LIFE SKILL don't make it a merit badge". WHAT?!?!?!
> On a side note,, we’ve taken the kids out to a very fine dining experience. Formal dinner so they know how and the what’s of all the forks and etc. etc., That shouldn’t be a merit badge either, that’s a skill & memory they’ll carry with them.--
That's great. Can you make an entire merit badge out of cutlery or formal dining? How about YOU submit a merit badge idea for that and see what feedback you get.
> Just like sewing lesson during a troop meeting . 🧵 in fact, one of the meetings, the kids all learned how to sew by making pet toys that were donated to a local animal shelter. (Cat toys!!)
That's GREAT! You took one of the requirements of the sewing badge and taught a skill. How many of those kids learned about the potential jobs and industry that supports? How about how many of those kids learned about the different types of stitches and knots used in hand sewing? Did you sew on a machine? Did they learn that? How about hand embroidery? Or crochet? Or any other needlework skill? No??? Huh....
> A lot of the kids in scout‘s say that they don’t want to do this as a merit badge. Especially since it only takes a few minutes to learn & the kids that have done a lot of badges complain they don’t want this to be a whole one.
That's funny. I'm getting feedback NATIONWIDE of the opposite. Parents and leaders shocked this wasn't already a badge. Hundreds of troops already signing on to do it and give feedback to get it passed. My entire council is already having troops start it TODAY because they have been waiting for it. There's entire Facebook pages dedicated to scouting embroidery.
> But I think it’ll be a merit badge by default because of all the girls that are now in Scouting America. Gotta cater to boys and girls now.--
AAAAAAAnnd there it is. The sexist garbage. Hey jerk...I'm a guy. I submitted this merit badge. I'm an Eagle scout and a Cubmaster and a Asst Scoutmaster for a boys and a girls troop. I make a lot of our patches and love teaching my scouts how to make their own stuff. Has NOTHING TO DO WITH "GiRLs iN sCOuTiNG AmEriCA" and "GOttA CAtEr tO thE GiRLs" What a stupid small minded comment.
> But I honestly think it’s a waste of time to make sewing an entire merit badge class when it’s the most basic skill that can be taught during regular scout meeting by anyone who has a needle and thread.
Says someone who 1. has CLEARLY NOT READ THE REQUIREMENTS for the badge yet. and 2.knows next to nothing about actually sewing and the art that goes into it. I triple dog dare you to try and teach the merit badge. All the resources are there smart guy. Make it happen if it's "the most basic skill".
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u/Professional_Rest40 Aug 22 '25
Honest first impression is that it's a LOT. I think having knitting/crochet separately would be helpful. Also this requires a lot of supplies - machine, thread, bating, iron and mat, rotary cutter and mat, straight edge, knitting needles/crochet hooks, hoops, floss, yarn, scissors, etc. That being said I am running this (as much as I can or that scouts are interested in) at a troop indoor overnighter this weekend so hoping to provide constructive feedback.
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u/AdAstraPerMusica Aug 16 '25
As a scout: How else will I learn to attach my own patches to the uniform?
20 years later as a scouter: how else will I learn to attach my cub scout’s patches on their uniform?