Can You Iron on Patches to Polyester
Polyester is one of the flammable and sheer materials that is so sensitive to heat. It is that delicate material that may get burned with an iron easily, and while using an iron patch to it, you need to be very careful.
Due to this, people usually don’t use iron-on patches. This leads to a question of whether you can iron on patches to polyester or not? In this article, we will answer whether you can iron on patches to polyester or not.
Can You Iron On Patches to Polyester?
Yes. You can iron-on patches to polyester. You can sew the iron on a patch as per the placement of that patch. You can attach them by sewing, ironing on, or using adhesive materials.
Iron on patches are the specific type of interfacing to any fabric that will make sewing easier. The best fabrics that prefer using iron-on fabrics are denim or cotton. To use the iron-on patch on fabric, you need a hot iron to melt and activate its adhesive to stick to the fabric. Hence, it creates trouble with some fabrics that cannot handle this much heat by an iron; otherwise may get burned.
This article will help you out to use the iron-on patch on polyester material as well. This needs to be done very carefully as polyester may attain heat easily and get damaged. Let’s discuss how to iron-on patches to polyester fabric.
How to Iron-on Patches to Polyester?
Here are the steps to follow, Iron-on patches to polyester.
Step 1 – Check and Make Sure Your Iron-on Patch Is The Ideal Iron-on Patch
Some iron-on patches are not that ideal as they lack adhesive in them. Some distinct types of iron-on patches are available in the market. You can try to use the Velcro iron-on patch.
The ideal iron-on patches have a shiny backing that is not an adhesive until it gets heated up. Hence, it won’t feel sticky to touch without heat.
Some iron-on patches have tape back that is an adhesive, but these types of iron-on patches are not permanent. Try using these if you desire to remove the patches ever after using them.
There are also some iron-on patches with standard plastic backing. They are the worst ones as the ideal one has the adhesive all their way around the edges.
Step 2 – Gather The Fabric on Which You Need To Iron-on Patches
As we are talking about the polyester fabric in this article, we need to gather the polyester fabric by your side. Though Polyester is not that great fabric for iron-on patches, you can do it if careful. Yes! You can put the iron-on patch to the polyester fabric by being careful with the heat of the iron. If you put the heated iron directly on the material, then it may cause discoloration and burn.
Sometimes, the adhesive doesn’t work properly on the polyester material, but if the heat is applied properly, without damaging the fabric, then it will be the best.
Also, check the polyester fabric tag to acknowledge whether there are some heating instructions or not.
Step 3 – Decide The Place You Desire To Place Your Iron-on Patch
Before you break the iron to heat, you need to decide the place on the material where you desire to place the Iron-on patch. It depends on the design and pattern of your garment. If it’s a polyester shirt, you can place the patch on the chest, the pocket, or the sleeve. Also, check the size of your iron-on patch. If it comes out to be small, it can be placed in another place of the polyester fabric.
If you have jackets, a chest pocket and sleeve are the ideal places to place them. Also, while placing the iron-on patch over the fabric, you need to be sure that the placement for the patch is accurate. Otherwise, you need to put the patch again on the fabric. You need not run out of the patch or fabric, and make sure you cut the accurate length.
There is no wrong way to wear the patch. So, you can place it wherever you desire on the polyester fabric.
Step 4 – Prepare The Ironing Surface
You need to find a flat and sturdy surface to iron-on patches over the material in this step. This time, make sure that the surface can support a good amount of weight. It is because, while ironing on, you need to push down the patch at a later point. If you don’t want any mishap to happen with your fabric or iron to fall over it or anything, then do it carefully. As in this case, even the fabric is delicate.
The easiest surface will be the ironing board, but a table will also work perfectly if you don’t have it. If you use a table, make sure that you place a bath towel over it first before placing your fabric. Fold the towel over once to prevent any heat from reaching your table and fabric.
Step 5 – Prepare the Iron
Now, you need to prepare your iron. You should turn on the iron and set it to the hottest temperature as per your fabric. In polyester, you should be careful while heating it as it should not be that hot. The iron must have different settings for different fabrics. Do not try to use a steam setting as it may damage the fabric, and ensure no water is left in your iron.
Step 6 – Iron Your Polyester Fabric
Before doing anything with the patch, you need to iron your fabric first. The fabric may be wrinkled, and to avoid that, to apply the iron-on patch seamlessly, you need to remove them. Iron, like all the wrinkles, gets away. The wrinkles may cause issues with patches getting adhered to the fabric. Hence, make the fabric smooth in every way.
You can also use the steam setting to iron the fabric before applying the iron-on patch over it. Make sure that your fabric gets dried before you place the patch.
Step 7 – Place The Patch On The Polyester Fabric
Be meticulous in this step. Make sure that your iron-on patch is lined up how you desired it to be. Once your patch is adhered to or attached to your fabric, you won’t get any other opportunity to move it or apply it again. So, be sure of the place.
Step 8 – Cover The Iron-on Patch With A Thin Towel
Now, you need to place a thin towel over the iron-on patch you placed over your fabric. It is all to protect your patch from direct heat. If the heat is applied directly to the polyester fabric, it may burn or get damaged. At this step, you should be very careful and don’t burn your patch and the fabric. Be careful that the patch won’t move while you place the towel over it to cover it.
Step 9 – Push the Heat Via Iron
Place the iron on the area where you placed the patch and apply as much pressure as you can on the iron. It should be applied constantly, without moving the iron or the board or the fabric. Apply pressure for about 30 seconds and then release as the temperature is low. In case of any other fabric than polyester, you can set the temperature accordingly.
Step 10 – Remove The Iron and Give The Iron-on Patch A Minute To Cool
The patch you applied must get cool before you check for it. Give it a minute or so to get cool before moving the fabric.
Step 11 – Check The Iron-on Patch To Make Sure That It Has Adhered Fully
Now, you need to rub the edges of the patch on that fabric with your fingers. Check whether the patch is moving or the edges have not adhered properly. If so, then cover the patch again with the towel and apply the iron over it for the next ten more seconds.
Step 12 – You Are Done With Applying Iron-on Patch To Polyester
Finally, you are done with applying the iron-on patch to the fabric. Continue keeping an eye on your patch to ensure that it adheres properly and the edges are attached.
Tips To Apply Iron-on Patches To Polyester
If you don’t desire your polyester fabric to catch fire and get burned, then you can take some precautionary measures. Here are some precautions to take while applying Iron-on patches to the polyester fabric;
1. Firstly, start by setting your iron to the lowest heat temperature. This will ensure that your polyester fabric doesn’t get ruined by the high temperature all of a sudden. Additionally, it is harder to generate fire like this.
2. Make sure that you don’t use any steam, as when the patch gets wet; it won’t get attacked properly.
3. Use a piece of parchment paper or any thin material like cotton. It is to cover the patch, so you need not move around it. If you decide not to use cotton, more heat will be applied to the polyester fabric, and the fabric will catch fire easily.
4. Make sure that you have one layer of polyester below the patch. Polyester is a delicate material, and if you place the second layer below the first, then the adhesive will flow to another layer as well. It may damage the fabric. If you don’t watch it out, you will stick the back and front of the fabric together. You cannot even undo that.
5. While ironing, try to make circular motions on the patch for about 30 to 40 seconds as the temperature is lower.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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