How to Make an Iron-On Applique

Cut out a shape from any fabric to create an applique for embellishment.

An appliqué is an embellishment that gives a garment a little flair. Add one to a garment to dress it up or use a personally styled garment. An appliqué can be attached by hand or it can be bonded with an iron by using a commercial product that's found in most craft and fabric stores. By using this product, you're creating your own personalized patch for a one-of-a-kind garment.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton fabric
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Scissors
• Heat'n Bond iron-on adhesive

Instructions

Steps to Make an Iron-On Applique

1. Pre-wash the fabric that your appliqué will be crafted from.

2. Warm up the iron to a low setting with no steam. Use a hand-held, flat iron if you are applying a small appliqué. Even better for small appliqués is using a flat-iron press.

3. Cut the fabric slightly larger than the size that you estimate your appliqué will be.

4. Cut a piece of adhesive to roughly the same size as your fabric cutting.

5. Place the fabric that will be adhered wrong side up.

6. Place the adhesive on top of the fabric paper side up.

7. Press the iron for 2 to 4 seconds onto the paper side of the adhesive.

8. Move the iron continually in a smooth motion over all areas of the adhesive. Be sure the adhesive and fabric have been evenly heated. Do not allow the iron to sit in one spot on the adhesive and fabric for more than 2 to 4 seconds at a time to prevent the paper from burning.

9. Let the bonded adhesive and fabric cool. This should take about 7 to 10 minutes.

10. Cut the bonded adhesive and fabric into the appliqué shape.

11. Peel the paper off of the adhesive.

12. Place the appliqué onto the garment in the place you want it to be adhered, adhesive side down.

13. Iron the appliqué onto the garment. Make sure that each area of the appliqué is evenly heated and don't let the iron sit too long in any one spot or it may burn.

Tips & Warnings

• Fabric softener should not be used when pre-washing the appliqué fabric.

• Check the packaging of Heat'n Bond to see if you can stitch over it. Some types of adhesives are not suitable for stitching once the appliqué is adhered.

• Hand or delicate wash in cold water.

• Tumble dry garment on low heat.

• Do not dry-clean.

References

• Thermowebonline.com