Insignia Sewing

Last Updated: November 20, 2008

ATF Sewing Service: Once again, we are going to give this a try. Only one other vendor will now even consider this. I realize that many people cannot sew and have no one available to help them. But, sewing insignia amounts to custom orders. It's not as easy as it may seem. All of the policies on this page are here because of the immense headaches that occur when we have tried this in the past.

Sewing Policies
1. 30% Restocking Fee on any returns of uniforms that we alter or sew insignia on.
2. 4-5 Day turn around time. Ordering expedited shipping will not help.
3. No hand sewing.
4. We will not work on originals.

The Details

30% Restocking Fee on all returns of "sewn" uniforms and insignia: This is the greatest problem and the primary reason we have not done this in the past. Please understand, that once we have affixed insignia to a uniform, it (and the insignia) instantly become "used". If we have to remove the insignia, especially on cotton uniforms, there will be stitch holes. Not a problem for real soldiers, but re-enactors freak out if they receive a new uniform that has evidence of a patch having been removed. As 10-15% of all uniforms we sell are returned for size exchange this presents a problem.
If you insist on returning a uniform which has has sewing or alterations done, we will charge a restocking fee of 30% of the cost of the uniform and any insignia or awards used.
Thus: If you are unsure of your size, we strongly urge you to try the uniform on first! That will likely mean shipping it back to us, but that will preclude you being "stuck" with the wrong size. Previous customers who already know their sizes don't have anything to worry about. However, there is a sizable minority of people who appear to choose their sizes by throwing darts at a size chart while wearing a blindfold. Once we sew it, it's yours. Period.
Please be 110% certain of your size. Last year people got sneaky and started returning uniforms due to "blemishes". Each uniform that has work done to it is inspected several times.
If you insist on returning a uniform which has had insignia sewn on by us, there is a 30% restocking fee.
Charges for additional sewing (if any) are not refundable.
Why are we so mean? Because the uniform is now a "defect".

Return Policy Exceptions:
1. The only exception for US uniforms are the 506th Paratrooper Jackets which already have a 101st patch; unless you have had rank insignia added. Two types of German tunics will have specific insignia pre-applied.
All Luftwaffe Fliegerblusen have EM eagles and yellow collar tabs.
SS M43 tunics will have sleeve eagles and SS EM (runic) collar tabs.
If you do not have these changed and do not have any additional insignia (cuff titles, tresse, iron cross ribbons, etc) installed, then these two will be returnable without the fee.

2. Our mistakes. If we screw up (it will definitely happen) and put on the wrong insignia, or put the insignia on wrong, we will fix that problem. (The uniform is still not returnable, but we will correct any mistake we make with regard to insignia being sewn incorrectly.) Naturally, if we really screw up and send you a size that you didn't order, we will correct that. But if you order a 44R, and we send you a 44R, and then you discover that you really need a 36R, it's not our problem.

4-5 + Day Delay (Possibly more): Since the girls are not living historians/ Germanophiles/ Band of Brothers fan club members, I will have to personally check all sewing jobs. If I'm in Europe or Asia, the job will have to wait until I return which may be up to a month. This is not negotiable and there are no "expedited" sewing jobs. This amounts to custom work which does not happen and will not happen overnight.
If we get too much badgering over this, we will discontinue the service.

Overnight, Second Day Air and 3 Day Select: Save your money. Several people have assumed that by ordering these services, we would be compelled to complete their sewing immediately. Not so. If you have procrastinated and need your insignia sewn on tomorrow, then you will have to sew it on yourself or make other arrangements. On average, sewing jobs will entail at least a 4-5 delay in shipping your order. (Not you receiving it, but it being packed and leaving our building.)
Once again, if we get too much badgering over this, we will discontinue the service.

Stitch Nazis: Our sewing will be only as good as the originals were and that was pretty erratic. The girls know how to sew very well. However, if you feel inclined to check the alignment of your chevrons with a micrometer and a laser, please don't call us. If the collar tabs are on the wrong side, the eagle is upside down, or we use pink thread, we will by all means correct the problem. If you just like to complain so you can feel pampered and fluff your self esteem, go away.

Hand sewing: Not at this time. Hand sewing is best done by you, to your own satisfaction.

Repairs: We will usually repair our own products for free. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. We will not repair any other company's products nor will we work on originals.

Other Companies Products: We will sew insignia on whatever you want (if possible). The sewing rates below apply.

Alterations: These will be addressed on a case by case basis. Contact us with your desire and we'll try to help.

We will not work on originals. Why not? Because we cannot return them to new condition which is what 80% of the people requesting these services demand that we do. The fabric is often fragile, we can't really fix moth holes, it might blacklight, and most customers expect way too much. No, no and no!

Pricing: The chart below should cover most bases. Some of you may squall at the rates, but please realize that this is custom work. Each job must be done individually and it is not as quick and easy as many people assume.

Copyright At the Front/CNS, 2002