How to apply your patch

Got your iron-on patches and ready to make something yours? Applying a patch takes just a few minutes with a normal household iron. Here’s how to do it so it stays put, wash after wash.

What you’ll need

• An iron
• An ironing board (or a flat, heat-safe surface)
• The garment or item you’re patching
• A thin tea towel or a sheet of baking paper
• Your Patchy iron-on patch
• Optional: textile glue and a needle & thread for extra hold

Step by step

1. Prepare the surface. Lay the garment flat and briefly iron the spot where the patch will go, so it’s smooth and warm. Then place your patch exactly where you want it.
2. Heat the iron. Set it to the hottest setting your fabric can handle. Turn the steam function off and make sure there’s no water in the tank.
3. Cover the patch. Lay a thin tea towel or a sheet of baking paper over the patch to protect its surface from direct heat.
4. Press. Press the iron down firmly over the covering and move it in small circles for about 60 seconds.
5. Cool & check. Let it cool, then gently lift an edge. Still loose? Cover it again and press for another 10 seconds. For extra hold, iron the inside of the garment over the patch too.

Which fabrics work?

Iron-on patches work best on cotton, denim, canvas and most woven fabrics. They can’t be ironed onto plastic-coated or oiled materials such as leather or nylon — for those, use a textile or industrial glue, or sew the patch on instead.

Make it last

For maximum durability you can add a little textile glue and/or fix the patch with a few stitches around the edge. We also recommend washing patched items inside-out on a cool, gentle cycle — or by hand.