How to Decorate Anything with Iron-On Decals

It's possible to enhance the plainest garment or cloth article with your own handmade iron-on decals. With your own special decals, you will be able to decorate and enhance just about anything without spending a lot of time on the project. Once you’ve made your decals, lay out is the first important step in the project. The following steps include examples of the many different types of projects you can choose. When laying out your decals, consider their size, location on the item, number and color coordination. You can choose to combine decals made from different fabrics. For example, the shirt pictured here has flower decals made from one fabric, and fairies fashinoned from another.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric paint
• Fabric glue, washable and permanent
• Beads
• Glitter
• Scissors
• Iron
• Ironing board

1. 
   Make sure to remove the paper backing before attaching the decal.

   Once the layout is pleasing to you, carefully remove the paper backing from the decal and reposition the back on your item.

2. 
   Carefully iron the decals on the fabric until they stick.

   Pressing gently, iron the decals on, letting the iron sit over each decal 2 to 3 seconds, and then gliding it over the entire area for 8 to 10 seconds more to bond the decal to the item. The time will vary depending on the heaviness of the fabric. Continue this step until all the decals have bonded to the fabric. Let cool for a minute, and then check that all the edges have sealed. If not, run the iron over the area once more and let it cool again

3. 
   Outlining the decal with fabric paint helps seal the edges.

   Using the fabric paint, outline the decal, making sure the paint covers the edge of the decal and the fabric. This will keep the seal tight. Many fabric paints require 24 hours of drying. Be sure to read the bottle carefully.

4. 
   Add rhinestones and beads to the decal to highlight special areas.

   Once the outlines have dried, highlight different areas of your decals. Apply washable, permanent fabric glue to the area you wish to work on. Apply beads, glitter, sequins, crystals or other embellishments. Anything can be used to highlight. Don’t apply so many highlights that you loose the design of the decal you made. Allow each enhancement to dry completely before applying the next.

5. Additional enhancements can be made using the fabric paint. Add words, phrases and geometric designs to your project for that extra special touch.

Tips & Warnings

• The ultrahold version of the HeatnBond is strong. If you wish to sew the edges, consider using the regular hold version of this product to make your decals. It is much easier to sew through.

[DaniFausek]

on 10/7/2008 Thanks - I love making my own decals! It's a lot of fun and a very creative way to use scraps of fabric!

[DaniFausek]

on 10/7/2008 Thanks - I love making my own decals! It's a lot of fun and a very creative way to use scraps of fabric!

[AbbyNormal]

on 10/4/2008 Good article. I am a big fan of iron-on decals! Check out my site:
www.yaffadreams.etsy.com