How to Apply an Iron Applique on a Shoe
Adding an embroidered, rhinestone or graphic applique adds a customized touch to any fabric or canvas shoes. Many crafters are wary of adding appliques to shoes because of the curved shape and the difficulty in making the textile surface taut enough to iron on. You can circumvent this problem by using a shoe stretcher and a small travel iron. This allows you to heat even the smallest of areas on the applique.
Things You'll Need
- Damp cleaning cloth
- Wooden shoe stretcher
- Scissors
- Pins
- Sewing chalk
- Small travel iron
- Flat iron
Instructions
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Choose solid colored canvas shoes to place the applique on. Select a colorful graphic applique, a rhinestone or an embroidered applique to use. Ensure that the applique is small enough to fit easily on the upper front or side of the shoe. An approximate 1-inch-by-1-inch size applique or smaller works best. Purchase or create two appliques that are the same image and size so you can apply one to each shoe.
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2
Clean the shoe with a soft, damp cloth. Make sure it is free of lint, dust and debris. Allow the damp shoes to dry for an hour or until they are no longer damp.
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Insert a wooden shoe stretcher into the shoe, making the canvas taut where you place the applique. Adjust the shoe stretcher screws until the shoe is stretched tightly around it. Lace up the shoe to tighten it as much as possible over the shoe stretcher. You want to eliminate as much wrinkling as possible.
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4
Cut as much excess paper from around the applique as possible. You want to make it as small as possible without cutting out all of the adhesive. Remove the protective backing, leaving only the front cellophane paper you iron on.
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Position the applique on the shoe as close to the widest and clearest part of the shoe as possible. Pin the applique in place so it doesn’t move. Outline the applique with sewing chalk if the canvas is too thick to fit a pin through.
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Connect a small travel iron to the power outlet and adjust the heat setting to the applique recommendations. Be sure you turn off the steam settings, as appliques need dry heat to adhere. Since canvas is a sturdy textile material, this setting will generally be high. Allow the iron to fully warm up. Place a thin ironing cloth over the applique and iron the cloth over the applique. Iron all sides of the applique for 10 to 20 seconds. This protects the applique from burning.
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Set the iron aside and remove the protective cloth and shoe stretcher from the shoe. Remove all the shoe lacing. Pull the tongue up from the shoe so you have access to the interior of the shoe.
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Heat a flat iron, like the type you use for your hair. Place it at its highest setting. Cover the top of the applique with a towel so the upper side of the applique is not burnt. Insert one side of the flat iron inside the shoe and press it against the interior of the textile where the applique is adhered to the upper side. Keep it pressed for about 20 seconds. Move it around the entire inner side of the applique area to ensure a firm adhesion of the applique. Set the flat iron aside and lace the shoe laces.
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