How to Iron on Patches
Clothes are meant to go with your style and personality, and if it takes a little bit to modify them for personalizing, you can do everything today. There are plenty of ways through which you and style your outfits with ease. Whether it is a denim shirt, jeans, or any other apparel, hundreds of ways are to tweak them up and give a new identity.
One of the famous, fun, and unique ways is to add patches. These are the embellishments available in different materials that you can add to your outfit. You just need to determine the right fabric and the way to patch on your outfit.
There’s no doubt in asserting that patching is a fabulous fashion recycler. It not only hides the torn areas of your outfit, but it also helps in making a style statement. You can use chunky stickers, logos, quotes, and possibly anything to use as a patch.
When it comes to attaching the patch, there are quite a few ways, and in this article, we will be elaborating more on the most popular and most comfortable option, i.e., ironing. Yes, iron patches are too easy to attach to the clothes compared to other methods. So, let’s get started.
How To Iron On Patches?
Contents
First, you need to find the right patch for your outfit, choose the material that goes well. Next, decide the area where you need to patch, make sure it adds up to your style statement. Now place the patch rightly over that area for ironing.
Place a damp towel or a cloth over the area where the patch will be added. Heat the iron and put it to the maximum. Now press iron onto the damp towel and apply maximum pressure so that the adhesive on the patch can appropriately activate with the heat and attach to the cloth.
Patch decorated garments certainly seek attention. Whether your sty;e is military chic or a contemporary vintage, patch on clothes can add the required vogue into your dressing. Iron on patches is an easy-to-do and on-the-go method to add a patch on your clothes. Follow these 5 super easy steps to get your patches ironed on your garment.
Step 1. Prepare the Iron
If you want to attach your iron firmly onto the garment, you need to set the iron to its highest setting. While the iron is prepping, you can bring your clothes and patch. A little advice before getting started is that iron-on patches work well with polyester, cotton, but it might damage rayon, nylon, or silk. So better avoid them.
Step 2. Place Your Patch
Lay the cloth flat on the iron board and position your patch on the cloth. It’s essential to choose the perfect position where your patch will look good and easily seen. Ironing, before deciding the place will end up in chaos. For instance, if you are placing at the center, make sure to use a measuring tape to find the perfect spot. If you are attaching the sleeves, you can add pins to secure it. Look in the mirror to ensure it is in the upright position.
Step 3. Always Use Pressing Cloth
It is vital to protect your fabric from excessive heat. So, it would help if you placed a pressing cloth between the iron and the patch. It can be either a damp towel or a pillowcase. Never skip this step, as the heat from the iron can damage the adjacent garment.
Step 4. Press the Iron
Now it’s time for the foremost step. Take the iron and press it down on the cloth, hold it there for 30-45 seconds. Apply maximum pressure, so the adhesive on the patch can be activated. The more pressure you apply, the better will be the hold of the patch on the garment. Do not move the iron around the fabric when you are pressing the patch; it will damage the garment.
Step 5. Flip and Repeat
After attaching the patch on the fabric, turn your cloth from inside out and lay it on the ironing board. Now place the pressing cloth on the reverse side of the patch and do step 4 again. It is to ensure that your patch is correctly attached to the garment even from inside. When the patch is entirely ready, leave it for at least 24 hours to set it before washing or wearing it.
Alternatives for Attaching Patches
Patching is more than just hiding the torn area; it has become a way of styling up your regular and boring clothes. Apart from just iron-on patches, there are some other ways as well that you can try to attach patches. Here are a few alternatives for you:
1. Sew-on Patches
The most flexible and durable form of patching is sewing the patches. You simply sew the patches onto the garment without worrying about the wear and tear. People also do embroidery on the garment as a way of patching.
2. Adhesive Spray
It is a special kind of fabric spray that is used to attach the different materials onto the garment. There are both permanent and temporary sprays available. It is better to go with the latter. Do not expect high durability with this alternative. With a few washes, it will start coming off.
3. Adhesive Glue
It is yet another popular way of attaching patches. Instead of a pre-applied adhesive, you need to apply this glue on the patch by yourself. It will hold up the patch quite well than the spray, but you need to be careful with washing and use cold water only.
4. Velcro Patch
You can use a Velcro patch that is readily available in the market. It would be best if you bought a Velcro patch along with a Velcro tape. Attach the tape onto the garment where you need to put the patch. The tape comes with an adhesive that sticks onto the garment. Now place the Velcro patch over the tape.
Which is the best way to patch, Ironing or sewing?
Both are the commonly used methods of patching. It depends on you to decide which one would do justice to your outfit. Sew-on patches are more durable.
You directly sew them on the cloth; there’s no worry regarding the adhesive coming off. When it comes to iron-on patches, you need to take care of a few things, like, you cannot wash the cloth in hot water, leave it for 24 hours before you can use it, and your garment will become stiff in the area of the patch.
How long do I need to iron on patches?
The more you press the iron on the garment, the more reliable the hold will get. It is generally advised to keep holding the iron on the patch for about 30-45 seconds to get a firm grip.
Don’t forget to place a damp towel or a thin cloth between the iron and the patch in order to safeguard the adjacent area on the garment from the heat. Make sure to apply a fair amount of pressure on the iron for it to get placed.
Will iron-on patches come off in the first wash?
There’s nothing like iron-on patches are not durable. They are robust and reliable; all you need is to give a little care and attention to make sure it stays intact.
Iron-on patches will not come off in the first wash. It’s just that you need to wash it in cold water. Never use warm or hot water that loosens the adhesive and result in detaching it from the garment.
Re-attaching a detached patch is not possible as its adhesive will be gone, so you would need a brand-new patch. Avoid this situation and use cold water for washing.
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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