Ironing on patches is a great way to personalize your clothing. Whether you want to add the logo of your favorite sports team, show off your alma mater’s colors, or just make something look more attractive, there are plenty of ways to use embroidered patches. But how do you make sure they stick? Read on for some helpful advice.
1. Take it slow
It’s simple advice, but it’s important to remember this when you’re ironing on any type of patch. If you rush things, the patch may not have enough time to adhere properly to your clothing. Keep in mind that some patches take longer than others to adhere to your garment, so keep an eye on your work as you go.
2. Use a press cloth
A press cloth is essential if you want to row the patch well, and it helps prevent damage or stains from occurring during the process. You can use just about anything for a press cloth; standard cotton T-shirts make great alternatives. Just make sure whatever material you use won’t be ruined by heat (or adhesive chemicals).
3. Set it and forget it?
Suppose you’re using a standard iron, probably not. The biggest mistake people make is setting the iron at its highest temperature and then just holding it there for as long as possible. Unfortunately, this strategy will likely result in poorly stuck patches—or worse yet, scorched fabric. Instead of holding your iron in one place, gently move it over the patch for a few seconds at a time before moving on to another area.
4. Heat it up
Many people skip this step, but heating your garment before ironing on the patch is a great way to get things started. Start by using a warm setting and increase as needed. If you’re worried about damaging colors or fabrics, start with lower heat first and work your way up if necessary.
5. Don’t leave home without them
When in doubt, always use a pin to hold the patch in place before you begin working! It may seem like an extra step, but taking a few minutes, in the beginning, to attach things properly can save you from having to undo your work later on—and that’s never fun. Just make sure that once you’ve got it pinned down securely, you remove the pin before you start ironing.
6. Consider the adhesive
Some patches are better suited for certain garment materials, so make sure you’re using a patch designed for your specific clothing needs. Generally speaking, if it fits, go for embroidery on lighter weight fabrics like cotton or jersey knit wearables–and steer clear of stiffer materials like denim and thick wool if possible. You can look for some of the largest collections of iron-on patches online!
7. Press firmly but gently
It may seem counterintuitive—after all, you want the patch to stick as firmly as possible—but if you press too hard with a hot iron, there’s a risk of scorching fabric or burning your hand! Instead, apply firm pressure from above with an iron set between warm and hot.
8. Do the twist
Using your thumb and forefinger, give the edge of the patch a small twist when you’ve ironed in place. This simple step ensures that the adhesive on the back has attached firmly to your clothing.
9. Allow it to cool
Once you’ve ironed in place, let things cool naturally for a few minutes before trying to do anything else with them. If you rush cooling things down by using cold water or putting them in the freezer, there’s a chance they’ll come undone!
10. Be gentle!
Finally, remember that once you iron something on firmly, it will be pretty much impossible to remove without damaging either your clothing or (if applicable) embroidered work–so make sure this is something you want to be attached before you begin.
11. Test it out
If you ironed on a patch that’s visible to the public eye, be sure to check back in with it later for signs of peeling, cracking, or other separation issues. If your garment isn’t something you plan to wear often (for example, an inside-out pillowcase), always make sure you double-check before using the item again!
Conclusion
Ironing on embroidered patches can be a daunting task if you don’t know the best way to go about it. Fortunately, we’ve outlined 11 steps that will help ensure your patch adheres well and looks great for years to come! It’s important to consider the adhesive and the type of fabric you’re working with before ironing anything onto your clothing. People’s most common mistake is pressing too hard or holding their heated iron in one place for too long. These ten easy-to-follow tips should lead you towards success when sewing on an outside patch when followed properly! Which tip has been helpful so far?
