Sewing Merit Badge

[SteveDomzy]

While any new merit badge is a great idea -- I find it ironic that there is no sewing merit badge. I mean, with all the patches (merit badges, rank advancement, council patches, OA lodge flaps, etc,) you'd think there would be a badge that was given for practice of the fine art of sewing.
Think of how happy all the moms out there will be if there boys can sew on their own merit badges or rank advancement.

It is a skill that can save a boy in the future - ripped pants, missing button, etc. I have a sewing kit in my desk drawer and have sewn on a button or two in a pinch.

I think it should be every boys' first merit badge.

[BM_Crawford]

I think that is a very good idea in my opinion first aid should be the first merit badge but I think sewing would be a very very very profitible merit badge to have!

[wagionvigil]

Some time in the the dark ages of scouting I had to learn to sew on a patch. I am not sure when it was BUt I am pretty sure it was when I was a Cub SCout. Possibly when I was a "Lion"

[Guneukitschik]

Well you are correct....but sewing sounds a bit Girl Scoutish! perhaps we could call it Uniform Engineering? or some other techincal term?

Our Troop has a night where everyone (usually new scouts) brings in their uniforms and we help them get all the patches in the correct location! and they get a sewing lesson at the same time. It works great!

[SteveDomzy]

I don't think that Sewing Merit Badge is any more 'GirlScout' sounding then other existing Merit Badges like Basketry, or Pottery. If, in order to get something like that considered it needs a more 'masculine' name, then I suggest Tailoring.
How about that?

[Guneukitschik]

That sounds A LOT better!

[mommatoodle]

I think this would be a great badge. These are skills that would be helpful for any guy!

My son took cooking at summer camp this summer and now loves to cook. He is entering a new school for 6th grade this year and found out that he will be able to take home ec. He is soo excited that he will learn to sew and do more cooking. He doesn't think of it as a girly thing. He is all boy!

[ICanCanoeCanU]

How about adding some sewing skills to the Textile badge? Both my sons looked into that badge when in middle school they had to take "Home & Careers". While in this class they had to sew a pillow and a canvass bag. They figured they could earn a badge out of it, but noooooo, nothing fit for it. After all, the textile industry played a large part in this country... at one time.

[Guneukitschik]

It would probably be easier to get the current requirements for the Textile MB changed/modified to include alternate requirements about Sewing rather than add an additional MB.

I'm not sure how National makes those decisions either>? I would assume that the requirements are updated to keep up with technology for most of the MB's.

[ynotquilt]

I completely agree that sewing should be included in the textile merit badge. I am a quilting instructor and do MUCH clothing sewing also. I couldn't beleive that "actual sewing" wasn't part of this merit badge (for which I am a MB counselor) Sewing is an important skill that everyone should be conversant with. Perhaps basic ironing and laundry skills should also be added in the sense of fabric awareness (why a too hot iron will scorch certain fabrics, why certain colors run) I think it could all be fit in quite well with the textile MB.

[diamondbackAPL]

I don't think they should make a whole merit badge out of it, but it can be classified as a scout skill and can be taught at meetings. I don't know of anyone who would want to spend their scout meetings learning to sew, but it could be done.

[ynotquilt]

There already is a merit badge - textiles that deals extensively with actual fabrics. I just feel that the "care" of fabrics (such as in ironing and laundering) as well as basic sewing skills - sewing buttons, hemming pants, repairing seams (as in when they might rip...) would be beneficial expecially seeing as many women are no longer as conversant in these skills as they once were.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

The textile badge needs a major re-stiching (sorry, can't help it). It could cover sewing, different materials, caring of materials and the background to the textile industry. This is

[cballman]

well personaly myself I think if we keep going to make things so politicaly correct then maybe we need to change some of the other names of badges like farm mechnics to green space technican, or maybe salesmanship to salespersonship. or maybe we need to just go back to the basics like sewing instead of textiles. this subject could go on and on so IMHO lets not forget we are talking about a program that has been around for longer than most of us. so if we want or need to change things lets go back and make things like they used to be and not a watered down version and if its a little harder for our kids than so be it. they might even learn something that they need for the future. just to let everyone know I have been in scouting for a few years and EARNED my Eagle in 1977. I look at some of the req. that have changed over the years and I wish I could have been in scouts now because it seems so easy. I know that some of yall will not agree with me but remember we all have an opinion and as long as we dont hurt someone than please voice it.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Although I agree with most of what you say Charlie. I don't think anyone here was trying to be polically correct? Have you looked at the current textile badge? Does it really make sense, as previously stated, that these boys have many badges to sew onto uniforms and no badge out there covers any kind of sewing? We all know it's easier to get Nationals to alter a badge than create a new one and this is the perfect case for that.

[ynotquilt]

We were not trying to make things politically correct. Just trying to broaden the scope of a current MB to encompass what would be practical today. The textile industry has primarily moved overseas to China and the like. It is no longer a mjor industry in the United States as it once was. As the badge is currently toward the very bottom of the list on badges the boys earn (at least here in our council), perhaps updating it to include other aspects of textiles would encourage other scouts to try this badge.

[ams]

I feel there is enough to sewing to make it it's own badge. They don't all have to be extensive and difficult. Basic hand sewing, Basic machine threading, oiling and use. Hem something, Sew on a MB Patch. Darn something. Soulds like a good patch. The textile patch does seem a bit extreem and obscure to me. Could be revised to include the sewing.

How does one make this happen??? Who would one write to?

[smtroop168]

The Philippine Boy Scouts have the Tailoring MB. I cut and pasted the requirements below. They also have some other interesting MBs and Eagle requirements. Take a look. Search on www.meritbadge.org.ph in google

Tailoring

Show how to operate, thread, and take care of a sewing machine.

Identify and tell the uses of the following basic tools for tailing: tape measure, tailor's square, scissors, tracer, tailor's chalk.

Name the different parts of a pair of trousers and a casual shirt.

Show how to take the measurements for making pajamas and athletic pants. Draft the pattern and make a pair of pajamas or athletic pants.

Explain why certain fabrics should be soaked first in water and drip-dried preparatory to cutting the cloth.

Explain what is sanforized cloth.

Repair or remodel one of the following:
Worn out collar
Too short of too long trousers
Tight or loose trouser waistline

[smtroop168]

Even an answer on Sewing:

Sewing – There was one proposal received for a Practical Stitching merit badge, which was denied by the committee as not being of interest to boys of Boy Scouting age.

Sorry Moms.

[kwildman]

I couldnt guess how many scouts (and scouters) that i have taught how to sew over the years. I keep my needle and thread and some tacking pins in my backpack. Adding patches, fixing buttons, and how to mend a tears is all any scout needs.

Badge magic is the work of the devil.