PATCH PERFECTION

Presented by RNK Distributing
Supplies Needed:
  • Floriani Wet N Gone
    (fibrous water soluble stabilizer)
  • Patch Background Fabric
    (pre-washed)
  • Coordinating Thread
  • Patch or Embroidered Applique Design

Use our super easy techniques and short cuts to create patches out of your existing embroidery designs or designs that are specifically digitized for patches. The first sections of this project teach you how to create the patch. The last section teaches you how to use Floriani Press N Bond to adhere to patch to your desired foundation.

TRADITIONAL PATCH USING A BACKGROUND FABRIC
This method of patch making requires a design that will stitch a straight stitch on the fabric first to hold the patch background in place. Embroidered appliqué designs from your embroidery library make great patches using the techniques below!

Click on image for larger view
1. Place two layers of Floriani Wet N Gone stabilizer in the embroidery frame.
2. Place the embroidery frame on the machine, select the embroidery design.
3. Stitch the fabric placement straight stitch directly onto the stabilizer.
4. Place background fabric over the straight stitch making sure the fabric generously covers the stitching.
5. Stitch the straight stitch outline again to secure the fabric.
6. Carefully remove the frame from the machine and trim the fabric as close to the outline stitch as possible.
Shortcut! To eliminate trimming in the hoop use these steps!
  A. Print (or trace) the straight stitch portion of the design on to Floriani Appli-kay Wonder sheets directly from your embroidery software, be sure to print the reverse of the image.
  B. Fuse the Appli-kay Wonder onto the back of the patch fabric.
  C. Trim the piece using the printed line as your guide.
  D. Remove the release paper to expose the sticky side of the appliqué
  E. Stick the patch to the stitched outline on the Wet N Gone stabilizer
7. Continue embroidering the remaining colors of the design over the background fabric.
8. Remove the frame from the machine and trim the excess stabilizer as close as possible to the edge of the design.
9. Use a wet Q-Tip to remove any remaining stabilizer from around the patch. Be careful to not over-wet.
10. Iron the patch to remove any moisture from wetting the edges.

CREATING A PATCH FROM A FREE STANDING EMBROIDERY

Web Photo Gallery Creator by VisualLightbox.com

Supplies Needed:
  • Floriani No Show Nylon Mesh
    (non-fusible version)
  • Rayon Embroidery Thread
    (polyester will melt if touched with the stencil iron)
  • Quilters Stencil Burning Tool and Heat safe surface for burning such as tile or glass
  • Solid Embroidery Design (open work style embroideries are not ideal for patches)
Using an embroidery design to create a patch is very easy following the next few steps. We will be stitching our design on a sheer, soft cutaway foundation because not all embroideries are created to be freestanding. In other words, if we were to stitch some of our solid embroidery designs onto a water soluble stabilizer and then rinse the stabilizer away, the design would fall apart. The reason is that the design was not digitized to "stand alone"; it was designed to be stitched on a fibrous background. *Note - If your design you have chosen for your patch states that it is free standing, you can use Floriani Wet N Gone for the foundation instead of following the steps below.
Let's get started!
Click on image for larger view
1. Place two layers of Floriani No Show Nylon Mesh in the embroidery frame.
**One layer is O.K. if the design is less than 6,000 stitches.
2. Place the embroidery frame on the machine and select the design.
3. Embroider the design completely.
4. Remove the embroidery design from the frame and place it on a heat resistant surface such as glass or tile.
5. Use the stencil burning tool to burn around the outer edges of the embroidery design.
**Tip - keep as much tension on the stabilizer as possible, this will make burning faster and cleaner.
6. Iron the design flat using a press cloth.

The patch is now ready for Press N Bond!

ADDING FLORIANI PRESS N BOND TO YOUR PATCH
Floriani Press N Bond is a heat sealing product that will bond your patch to its foundation permanently. Make sure your foundation does not have excess starch, sizing or contain Teflon to insure the very best bond.
1. Trace or print the reverse image of your embroidery design/patch onto the paper side of Press N Bond.
2. Trim the Press N Bond.
3.

Align the Press N Bond over the back of the patch and press from the paper side with your iron or heat press. Firmly hold the iron on the patch for 4 seconds only.
**Tip - Place a Teflon pressing sheet or a piece of parchment paper on your ironing surface to avoid any adhesive bonding to it.

**Shortcut for intricate designs - Steps 1 and 2 can be skipped by ironing an oversized piece of Press N Bond onto the back of the patch and then trimming it after it cools. A Teflon Pressing Sheet is required to avoid the excess Press N Bond from adhering to your ironing surface.
4. Let the patch cool completely; peel away the release paper to expose the heat sealed back of the patch. The adhesive should be soft and pliable.
5. Place the patch on the garment or chosen foundation. Pin in place if necessary. Iron from the fabric side of the foundation to adhere the patch. Press firmly and hold the iron in place for a minimum of 4 seconds.
**Note - All pressing equipment varies in temperature. Be sure to test on scraps of materials before beginning this project to learn what iron temperature performs best for you. Also, make sure that your thread can withstand iron temperatures of at least 300 degrees F. Some polyester thread will melt if ironed at too high of a temperature.