Patch

how to sew an embroidered patch on a bag?

Does anyone know if it's easier to iron on a patch or to sew it onto a bag by hand..? Also, like if I were to iron on the patch on my bag, does it matter if my iron has steam coming out during the process?

Public Comments

1. Usually you get better results by sewing it on. Patches ironed on can come loose, get crinkled by the iron's heat, or damage what they're ironed to. (It takes high heat, usually the cotton or linen setting, to melt the glue, and not everything can be ironed with high heat. It'll scorch some fabrics, rumple others permanently, even melt a few.) If your bag can take the heat, you'll get better results if you turn off the steam or let the water reservoir run dry. If you can't, you may have to re-iron it at some point. When you sew the patch on my hand, start with a knot at one end of the thread. Push the needle through the bag and the patch so it comes out right near the patch's edge. Take a very small stitch and push the needle back through to the inside. Take a bigger stitch (about 1/4 inch) before you bring the needle back up, then back down in a very small stitch. Repeat all the way around the patch. This will result in small stitches on the outside all around the patch's edge, and big stitches on the inside--and when the bag wears out, you can retrieve the patch. Can't do that with iron-ons.