Iron On Patches

[Fix Until Broke]

Not sure if this falls into "general tools" or not, but does anyone have a good source for iron on patches to repair jeans/denim/canvas material?

I've tried a lot of them over the years but most seem to come off after a few washes and are not really worth the effort.

I had good luck with ironpatches.co, however it looks like they've gone out of business

I've seen iron on/glue type patches on shirts/pants that uniform services provide and they've lasted for years/decades, so I know that good quality stuff exists. Where can I buy it?

 

[hasco]

Try E-bay

 

[Fix Until Broke]

Any particular recommendations from ebay? Everyone claims to have "super strong glue" blah, blah, blah.

I was able to find Iron Patches - looks like they changed their website

Iron on Denim Jean Patches – Iron Patches – Strongest Iron On Patches Available!

irononjeanpatches.com

Same company, same people (I've e-mail correspondence from them a few years ago).

If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

 

[FMB4]

I've had pretty good luck with the Bondex brand (W*lmart). One old pair of jeans has been 'patched' 4 or 5 times going back several years or more. It is, of course, important to follow the directions: especially the part about 'preheating' the area to be patched before applying said patch. I also round corners off. Note: I wash my jeans in cold water and I do not run them through the dryer.

 

[DenisG]

I've patched up work jeans using Heat&Bond, but I double-up on the sealer: one on the patch and one on the repair area. If it still pulls away after a wash, I use a hot melt glue gun.

 

[GaryM909]

I have had good success using Speed Sew on my work clothes. Before I throw my old work clothes I cut off some good fabric and save it for patches. I always keep a tube of it and a ziplock bag of fabric in my work truck.

 

[rlitman]

I have a white glue type fabric adhesive (plain PVA white glue breaks down in the wash, so get the real deal), and it's good for protecting frayed ends, but for patching, I find that anything using adhesive is bad. The adhesive kills the flexibility of the fabric.

Do you know how to use (and have) a sewing machine? You can zip-zag stitch down the edges of an iron-on patch, or better yet, cut your own patch from scrap fabric, and quilt stitch it own, doing a zig-zag to overcast the edges. The alternative is to use a freehand quilting foot and darn the damage. With some experience, you can make an acceptable looking repair that's WAY better than a patch.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

I have spare material from pants that are beyond repair, so a glue or adhesive might work well

FMB4 - I've tried those with not much luck after a few washes.

DenisG - I'll give the Heat n Bond a try, looks promising

GaryM909 - I'll give the Speed Sew a try as well

rltman - Yes, I have and know how to use a sewing machine. I've done a lot of zig-zag stitch repairs. The trouble is that there are many locations that are just not reachable with a traditional sewing machine, pockets in particular.

Flexibility isn't too much of an issue to me, nor is the look - these are work pants and generally dirty/stained anyway.

I'll try some of the above and report back. I've patches that were glued on 20+ years ago that have been through hundreds of wash/dry cycles, exposed to all sorts of chemicals, etc so I know there are good fabric adhesives available - just need to find them .

Thanks for the recommendations - If there are any other suggestions, let me know!

 

[rlitman]

...Yes, I have and know how to use a sewing machine. I've done a lot of zig-zag stitch repairs. The trouble is that there are many locations that are just not reachable with a traditional sewing machine, pockets in particular...

You can use a seam-riper to remove patch pockets, and then sew them back on. Or just replace with new ones. I've modified a number of "work" jeans to have all sorts of custom patch pockets, including one pair with a pocket that dispenses zip ties.

What I meant about flexibility is that stiffening fabric in places where it's meant to bend can be both uncomfortable, and can wear out adjacent fabric faster.

 

[Crowbarman55]

I am in no means trying to sound like a smart ***. But unless jeans are in short supply, I just bye a new pair if they rip.
Todd

 

[FMB4]

FMB4 - I've tried those with not much luck after a few washes.

Wash cold and hang dry.

Like I said, I've had such patches, both large and small, hold pretty strong for years while following the above. Not perfect, but the jeans are still in limited use service.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

External pockets can be removed and re-sewn on (though it's tough to get the top corners that are 3x thick, even with the heavy duty needles. An industrial sewing machine would be the better tool here.

Internal pockets (front pockets for example) are a lot more work to R&R, especially if there are rivets involved.





I guess I'm optimistic that there will be an adhesive option that has the balance of speed/convenience/quality/durability that I'm looking for

 

[rlitman]

...Internal pockets (front pockets for example) are a lot more work to R&R, especially if there are rivets involved...

I get it. I'd cut a scrap using pinking shears and glue it on with liquid fabric adhesive there, and just sew it if it overlaps the seam at the bottom of the pocket. You could also use Titebond III. It doesn't dry clear like real fabric adhesive (since it's a wood glue), but for the interior that's still fine. Alternatively, if your machine has a sufficiently small free arm, you might be able to reach some parts that look difficult.

Industrial machines are overrated. So long as you don't have an all plastic machine that bends severely as the needle goes in, all you should need is the right needle and the patience to go slow. Plus some scraps to layer up under the foot when you cross seams.

 

[trackwelder]

Iron on Denim Jean Patches – Iron Patches – Strongest Iron On Patches Available!

irononjeanpatches.com

I really like these patches. They hold up very well.

 

[dscheidt]

External pockets can be removed and re-sewn on (though it's tough to get the top corners that are 3x thick, even with the heavy duty needles. An industrial sewing machine would be the better tool here.

Internal pockets (front pockets for example) are a lot more work to R&R, especially if there are rivets involved.





I guess I'm optimistic that there will be an adhesive option that has the balance of speed/convenience/quality/durability that I'm looking for

I use fusible web. Dritz stitch witchery is available anywhere that sells sewing notions (fabric store, walmart, amazon). I use stuff I got from an industrial supplier, but the3 dritz stuff works fine. I'd add some stiches by hand, too, because all iron patches tend to peel off after a while.

Also, when sewing things like a pocket bag, remember that the the thing you're sewing only needs to be flat where you're actually sewing. It's possible to sew to pocket bags that way, not always, but more than you might thing.

​

 

[Fix Until Broke]

I am in no means trying to sound like a smart ***. But unless jeans are in short supply, I just bye a new pair if they rip.
Todd

Fair enough - If I can repair a $70 pair of jeans for $10 in 10 minutes, that's worthwhile in my book.


FMB4 - I typically wash in warm, but have not tried line drying with those patches. Thanks for the suggestion/recommendation

 

[joecon]

I may be out of touch, but I don't own any pants that cost $70. When I used to wear pants from the rental co., and they would repair them with iron on patches they would rub on my legs and be very uncomfortable. We would destroy the pants so they would give us new ones.

 

[Fix Until Broke]

After ~4 years have used up a ~$12 roll (17" x 180") of Heat-n-Bond Ultra Hold repairing various fabrics (mostly pants).

I've tried double thickness, lots of heat, less heat, etc with mixed results. Single thickness with a hot iron and short duration (10-15 seconds) seems to work best, but not great. It's not uncommon for a repair to fall off after 7-10 washes (warm/cold, line dry) and have to re-repair it.

Any better fabric adhesives available in the last 4 years or is this the best that's available?

 

[PCustoms]

I bought these and have patched a few pants that definitely last more then 7-10 washes

https://a.co/d/adR9woO

Are you repairing hi flex areas?

 

[Fix Until Broke]

Thanks - The instructions on those are similar to Iron Patches listed above. They last well, no question, however limited in size to cover larger areas like knees.

Most repairs are in front/rear pockets and thighs/knees.

 

[PCustoms]

Thanks - The instructions on those are similar to Iron Patches listed above. They last well, no question, however limited in size to cover larger areas like knees.

Most repairs are in front/rear pockets and thighs/knees.

I repaired rear pockets.

I can't imagine them holding up on knees, plus they are a bit stiff.

What are you doing to wear out knees so much? Some external protection might be the best option...

Maybe get a cheap sewing machine?

 

[Fix Until Broke]

Some additional context - If a patch with adhesive and fabric is available in larger sizes, that's great. However I have plenty of fabric that I can apply adhesive to (like Heat-n-Bond) so either option is good.

What usually happens is the material gets thin and then easily rips, or just wears a hole through it. Front pockets are the most common to get holes in them from keys and other misc things I carry around. That is also how the front thighs get worn thin from the stuff in the pockets.

I have a cheap sewing machine and that works ok for patching knees/thighs, but doesn't work well for pockets. it also struggles with binding up if the material is thread bare.

 

[no704]

Just go to Ace hardware and get a new pair of Dickeys. If you’re that cheap save the receipt and return the worn ones.

lol. Jk. No iron on is going to last especially in a normal dryer. Has to be stitched. I’ve had a couple girlfriends that were very good at it. Trying to remember why I married the one I did??

 

[no704]

You might have a little better luck if you put the iron on on both sides

 

[Fix Until Broke]

There are iron on adhesives that do last a long time as both PCustoms and I have mentioned.
They are either sold in small sizes already on fabric
or
I can't find the adhesive used to use my own fabric and make larger sizes

I reached out to Iron Patches and they do not offer larger sizes.

Everything is lined dried, so no heated clothes dryer or excessive tumbling involved

I've needed to iron from both sides for various reasons, however don't recall specifically if that makes them last longer. I'll give that a try and see. Maybe it draws the glue into the parent fabric better if heat is applied from that side, similar to soldering a copper pipe?

 

[tncatadjuster]

The last pair I patched this year I ran a small bead of clear silicone around the patch, it help keep the edge down. I have washed them a couple of times but no issues so far.

 

[MovingAlong]

@Fix Until Broke Have to believe that you could over-iron a patch. Much like a piece of solder wick, at some point you're going to melt the adhesive thin enough that it will be drawn up into the fabric and leave you without much of a bond...

I've only used contact cement on Formica and on a truck where I put upholstery fabric on backer board as a headliner.. It creates a pretty serious bond, can't help but wonder if it might work for you applying patches. DAP Weldwood does specifically mention fabric as an application too.

Would be very curious to know if you've tried that before or if you do try it, how it turns out.

This is GarageJournal after all - love the persistent DIY approach!

 

[Fix Until Broke]

MovingAlong - I have not tried that before, thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a try and report back.

The uniform laundering companies use something that works very well - I've removed some of the patches (like a name or company patch) from a shirt and was concerned about ripping the shirt. Those are washed in very hot water, dried regularly and guessing these companies are not regularly re-applying these patches.

I've tried various fabric glues on the edges but they end up cracking and creating hard/sharp edges which are uncomfortable against my leg.
I know there is something out there that does better than Heat-n-Bond, just need to find it

 

[PCustoms]

MovingAlong - I have not tried that before, thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a try and report back.

The uniform laundering companies use something that works very well - I've removed some of the patches (like a name or company patch) from a shirt and was concerned about ripping the shirt. Those are washed in very hot water, dried regularly and guessing these companies are not regularly re-applying these patches.

I've tried various fabric glues on the edges but they end up cracking and creating hard/sharp edges which are uncomfortable against my leg.
I know there is something out there that does better than Heat-n-Bond, just need to find it

Any reason you're not just getting new pants when they are this bad?

 

[Fix Until Broke]

1) I don't like to waste things that can otherwise be easily repaired

2) Typically what happens is the whole pair of pants is otherwise fine and there is a single hole or thin spot in a pocket, so I repair that and keep them in service. Then another hole somewhere else in a few months, so then repair that, etc. Once they get externally visibly worn/patched, they get "demoted" to shop/garden use. Once the crotch wears out or there get to be so many patches/re-patches, etc that they're not worth putting more time/resources into, then they get cut apart as a source of fabric for repairing the "younger generation" of pants.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Personally I’ve only had bad luck with anything “iron on”. But we’re lucky to have a tailor/seamstress shop in town, I bring everything worthy of a patch/repair there.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[RMERR]

I've used Ileeens fabric adhesive to patch holes in denim sandbags with a scrap of denim fabric. They get used in my shop to prop and hold things. They get somewhat abused and the patches hold great. Available just about anywhere they sell fabric. I did a test gluing a couple pieces of scrap together and the fabric tore trying to pull them apart.
https://aleenes.com/collections/glu...-adhesive-2-fl-oz?_pos=6&_fid=dfac5a372&_ss=c

 

[dscheidt]

MovingAlong - I have not tried that before, thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a try and report back.

The uniform laundering companies use something that works very well - I've removed some of the patches (like a name or company patch) from a shirt and was concerned about ripping the shirt. Those are washed in very hot water, dried regularly and guessing these companies are not regularly re-applying these patches.

I've tried various fabric glues on the edges but they end up cracking and creating hard/sharp edges which are uncomfortable against my leg.
I know there is something out there that does better than Heat-n-Bond, just need to find it

I had good luck with fusible web sold by a tailoring supply place, but I mostly sew after. Note that all products like this aren't 'iron on', they're 'press on'. pressure and steam are what make them work. Industrially, fusing is done in a clamshell press, it's hard to get that much pressure and steam heat from a household iron. Really lean into the iron, to ensure that there's good contact between the glue and the fabrics. And hold it for 10 seconds. if the patch is bigger than the sole of your iron, overlap a bit.

 

[TomLBend]

Not sure if this falls into "general tools" or not, but does anyone have a good source for iron on patches to repair jeans/denim/canvas material?

I've tried a lot of them over the years but most seem to come off after a few washes and are not really worth the effort.

I had good luck with ironpatches.co, however it looks like they've gone out of business

I've seen iron on/glue type patches on shirts/pants that uniform services provide and they've lasted for years/decades, so I know that good quality stuff exists. Where can I buy it?

We are still in business 14 years later, just changed our website. New site is www.irononjeanpatches.com