What is an Iron On Patch?

Series Summary

Iron-on, heat seal, and sew-on are the three most common types of patches. Iron-on patches can be created by applying heat from a household iron, but heat seal requires a professional machine. Both heat types melt a thermoplastic glue which adheres to the clothing after drying. A firm backing, the twill, forms the support and is ideally suited for the embroidered design using thread. Rayon and polyester are most common in commercial manufacture, but cotton and hemp can also be used.

Patches are usually ironed on to cover up a hole in a piece of clothing, but they are increasingly being used as a fashion statement. While the one side may be cotton, and often found at a fabric store, it's important that iron on patches have one side with an adhesive seal. In this free video series, our expert will explain what iron on patches are, where to find them, and eventually how to apply patches on to clothing. It's simple, it's quick, and it'll save you from throwing out an article of clothing you like.

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Marti and on behalf of expertvillage.com I'm here today to show you how to use an iron patch. Patches have become popular again. They are wonderful if you have a rip in your jeans or perhaps a part of a jacket. This is a patch that I purchased at a fabric store. Sometimes your craft store and super discount stores will have them as well. It's 100% cotton but it does have a special backing on it for it to adhere. It's real simple to use. You can actually cut it to form. If you like to, you don't have to use the whole thing. You can actually cut patterns maybe out of a cookie cutter if you wanted the stars or different shapes. The most important thing is that for this to stick, you need to have a really warm surface. I'm using a piece of cotton fabric here and I'm going to lay my iron down and give it about 20-30 seconds till it's warm to my hand and I don't want to place my hand on it anymore."