How to Make Your Own Iron-on Patches Using Wonder Under

Here's a pair of pants that belong to my daughter. These heart patches were on the pants when they were purchased from the store. However, the other leg was plain and this is what the knee looks like:

You can make your own iron-on patches using any fabric you like. You need to puchase "Pellon" or "Wonder Under" (or other brand) that is a paper-backed adhesive. You can follow the instructions on the Wonder Under. Basically, you put your fabric on the rough side of the Wonder Under. The wrong side of the fabric should face the rough side of the Wonder  Under. Iron it with a dry iron for about 60 seconds. 

Then you turn it over to the paper-backed side and draw your desired shape (in my case, a heart).  Cut out the heart and then remove the paper backing from the fabric.

Turn the fabric over and place it wrong-side down on the right side of your project (the outside of my jeans, in my case).  Cover it with a damp pressing cloth (or a thin piece of muslin, napkin, etc.)  Press with a dry iron for 10 to 15 seconds. Allow to cool for one minute.

This is what it looked like after I ironed it on.  Because the other hearts had a blanket stitch around the edge, I added that to the edge of my heart so that it would match. 

I did mess up though, in one spot, so ignore that, and we can still be friends. :)

You're done! Total cost? For me, it was free because I already had the items I needed, but you could easily do this for under a dollar and still have stuff left over for another project.  The Wonder Under is fairly inexpensive and is sold by the yard. I did buy a piece of it in the remnant section at Walmart. The remnant measures 45" x 8" and cost me a whopping 25 cents. That's enough to make a lot of patches! Then you just need some scraps of fabric to create your design.  Look in the remnant section for those, or you could even use pieces from another clothing item that has holes in it.  A patterned fabric would look very cute in circles, hearts, flowers, etc. You can layer your patches using the Wonder Under for the different pieces.

 Use your imagination, get creative, and stretch your clothing budget by repairing your kids' clothes.  It's really easy and doesn't take more than 10 minutes of your time. 

If you want to add blanket stitching, then you need some embroidery floss and an embroidery needle. Here's a great tutorial on how to blanket-stitch. I just should have looked at it before I messed up that one part. It really isn't noticeable on the finished garment, but in a close-up picture, it is. Sorry!!