Click here to download instructions.

Step by Step Guide to Creating Patches

Step 1 >> Create your patch design with three things in mind >>>
- Must have a satin running stitch as a border, wider is better than narrow.
- Keep border and shape of patch smooth for easier cutting.
- Selected Patch Material will be your background color - no stitches needed.

Step 2 >> Hooping: You have two directions in which you can go >>>
You can hoop Patch Material without any stabilizer/backing/topping, but this can sometimes lead to the material moving within the hoop. We recommend using HeatSPUN, to the backside of the PatchMat with your heat-press(use parchment, silicon release paper or teflon), then hoop. Press the HeatSPUN material for 10 seconds at about 320 degrees F. Adding the HeatSPUN glue keeps the patch material from moving and sliding within the hoop. This HeatSPUN glue will become your stabilizer when you use the PatchMat material.

Step 3 >> Sew out patch/badge design. ALWAYS sew out more than what you need for mistakes.

Step 4 >> Un-hoop and trim off excess Patch Material, keeping all patches together if sewn out as a group.

Step 5 >> Attach Patch Material to the HeatSEAL (this step is essential to good patch making) >>>
- Place flat Teflon/parchment sheet down to protect your heat-press.
- Place Patch Material face down on heat-press or table if using a hand iron.
- Place HeatSEAL material face down on top of sewn out patches with the paper backing side up.
- Place another Teflon sheet/parchment on top, making a Teflon Patch sandwich.
- Heat @ 320-330 degrees for 10-12 seconds. Using 40 psi of pressure or significant hand pressure for hand iron – no steam. Then turn it over and heat it again, twice is nice.

Step 6 >> Roughly cut out the sealed patches, removing excess patch/seal material, leaving quarter to half inch of material surrounding satin stitch border.

Step 7 >> Heat up Hot Knife with Universal Tip for 10-15 minutes – use safety stand.

Step 8 >> Cut out individual patch/badge with Hot Knife >>>
- Place individual patch face-up on smooth GLASS surface, begin running hot Universal Tip along edge of patch directly next to satin stitch.
- Hand speed/pressure will cause patch to be cut & sealed, leaving a finished patch.
- Use dry paper towel/cloth as a “wipe-off” station for the hot tip when residue appears. Wipe tip often.
- Practice using hand pressure and speed of tool movement to guide you.

Finished Patch/Badge can be applied directly to garment with heat-press, hand iron or sewn on. If you choose to sew-on, you could omit the step where you add the HeatSEAL glue after the sew out.

If using heat-press, use 320-330 degrees for 10-12 seconds, then turn garment over and press from the back-side for 15-20 seconds more. If using a hand iron, use setting between Wool and Cotton, no steam. Use same dwell times. You’re done!

* Helpful hint is to heat patch/badge briefly on top-side of garment for proper placement then to turn garment inside-out and apply heat to back-side of patch so heat is directly applied to HeatSEAL side of patch/badge.

For the nostalgic, here is Michael's original patch video





NOTICE: Changes were made to the Patch Material Manufacturing as of March 2012. HeatSpun stabilizer is recommended for best results. .
If you have purchased our patch material in the past, there has been a change made by the manufacturer.