Table of Contents
Watch the video: HOW TO MAKE IRON-ON PATCHES by JaNick
Turn a downloaded design into a crisp, durable iron-on patch you can press onto bags, jackets, and more. This tutorial follows the exact process shown in the video—from grabbing a .PES file to threading, hooping, stitching, and bonding Heat and Bond Ultra Hold.
What you’ll learn
- How to choose a patch-friendly digital embroidery design and transfer it to your machine.
- A clear threading and bobbin setup for smooth stitching.
- Hooping felt with tear-away stabilizer and adhesive the tidy way.
- Batch-stitching multiple patches efficiently by jumping thread colors.
- Turning stitched designs into iron-on patches with Heat and Bond Ultra Hold.
Essential Tools and Materials for Your Patches
A clean, well-organized setup makes patch-making simpler and safer. You’ll need the Brother PE 800 embroidery machine and its accessories, a computer with internet access, and a flash drive for the .PES file. Gather embroidery scissors (curved and straight), an iron and ironing board, tear-away stabilizer, temporary adhesive spray, black felt, pre-wound bobbins, Heat and Bond Ultra Hold iron-on adhesive, and a pressing cloth.
Pro tip
- Curved embroidery scissors make it easier to follow tight patch contours. Use non-fabric scissors for any cutting that involves adhesive.
Finding and Prepping Your Digital Design
Where to Buy Embroidery Designs Online
Start by sourcing a digital design. The video demonstrates browsing Etsy: search for a specific motif (for example, a “smiley face”). A patch-friendly file will typically have filled areas (for solid coverage) and an outline that defines the edge.
Watch out
- A line-art or very open design won’t give you the solid, filled look most patches need. Pick filled stitches plus an outline for cleaner edges.
Choosing the Right File Format for Brother PE 800
Download your purchase and unzip the folder. For this machine, you’ll need the .PES file. The video specifically uses the .PES format. If the file came with multiple formats, choose .PES and copy it to your flash drive. brother embroidery machine
Transferring Your Design to a Flash Drive
Eject the drive from your computer safely, then insert it into the embroidery machine. Power up, tap through any prompts to clear previous jobs, and select the flash drive icon on the display. Choose your design and press Set to load it.
Quick check
- Confirm the file name appears on the machine’s display and that you can open it without errors.
Setting Up and Threading Your Embroidery Machine
Loading Your Design and Duplicating Patches
To save time and materials, the video shows duplicating the design so multiple patches stitch in one session. Use Move on the touch screen to position the first design, then Add to repeat until the workspace is efficiently filled. This batch approach reduces stoppages and re-hooping.
From the comments
- One viewer discovered you can add multiple designs and jump between thread colors; the creator confirmed this is possible on the PE 800. brother hoop
Step-by-Step Top Threading Guide
Select the first color indicated on the screen. Place the spool on the holder with the thread feeding from the back, then secure it with a cap. Follow the numbered threading path: down, around, down/up, over the silver guide, down, then through the final guide. Snip a clean tip and thread the needle from front to back.
Watch out - The creator calls out a critical mistake: the thread can slip out of the very last guide before the needle eye. Double-check this point or you risk poor stitching or thread mishaps.
From the comments
- A viewer tip: the auto threader can work when the presser foot is down. The creator acknowledged and planned to try again.
Installing the Pre-Wound Bobbin Correctly
Open the bobbin cover, drop in a pre-wound bobbin with the thread tail falling to the left like a “P,” then route the thread around the plastic guide and snip. Close the cover until it clicks. Using pre-wound bobbins reduces pauses to rewind.
Quick check
- After closing the cover, gently tug to feel the bobbin tension; it should not be loose or snagged.
The Art of Hooping: Stabilizer and Fabric
Why Hooping is Crucial for Patch Quality
Good hooping prevents fabric shifting and puckering so the design stitches cleanly. The video emphasizes a taut, stable surface as the foundation for sharp patches. brother embroidery hoops
Using Tear-Away Stabilizer and Black Felt
Place tear-away stabilizer in the hoop with the screw opening facing down (matching how it mounts to the machine). Tighten until the stabilizer is drum-taut. Use a protected spray area—inside a box or over newspaper—and apply a light, even coat of temporary adhesive. Smooth black felt on top.
Watch out - Adhesive overspray is very sticky and difficult to remove from floors and tables. Shield your workspace before spraying.
Adhesive Spray Tips for a Secure Hold
Hold the can about a foot away and cover the stabilizer evenly. Because this is temporary adhesive, you just need enough tack to keep felt flat and still while stitching.
Stitching Your Designs: Tips for Efficiency
Attaching the Hooped Fabric to the Machine
Slide the hooped felt under the presser foot, align the hoop’s grooves with the machine’s attachment points, and press firmly on both sides until you hear a snap. Lower the presser foot. The display light confirms the machine is ready.
Optimizing Color Changes for Multiple Patches
Press Start to stitch the first color. When prompted to change threads, use the plus/minus button to jump ahead and stitch all areas of the same color across your duplicated designs. Then switch colors and repeat. This reduces frequent re-threading and speeds production.
Quick check
- Before each start, verify the needle is threaded through all guides—especially the last one—and the presser foot is down. magnetic hoop for brother pe800
Monitoring the Embroidery Process
Remove stray thread tails as you go, pause if needed, and restart when ready. Keep an eye on tension and coverage until all color segments are complete. The video shows a full set of colorful peace signs stitched across the hooped felt, confirming the batch method works smoothly.
Transforming Stitched Designs into Iron-On Patches
Precise Cutting Techniques for Patches
Remove the hoop, then the fabric. Use a mix of curved and straight embroidery scissors to follow the outline closely without nicking stitches. The creator rotates the scissors often to track curves accurately.
Pro tip
- Use your best embroidery scissors for clean, close cuts on felt. Save a separate pair for any adhesive-involved cuts later. brother pe800 hoop size
Applying Heat and Bond Ultra Hold Adhesive
Cut Heat and Bond Ultra Hold slightly larger than your patch. The grainy side is the glue; the smooth side is paper. Place the patch on the grainy side and trim close to minimize excess glue transfer. On a protected ironing board, create a patch sandwich with a pressing cloth on top and press with a hot iron for at least 20 seconds. Let it cool, flip, and press again from the back for another 20 seconds.
Watch out
- Always use a pressing cloth and protect your surface. Adhesive on irons or ironing boards is hard to remove.
From the comments
- Beginners appreciated the step-by-step clarity; one person even said this walkthrough helped them decide to try embroidery.
Final Trimming and Application Instructions
After the adhesive cools and bonds, switch to non-fabric scissors and trim the final shape precisely—this preserves your good shears from glue residue. To apply, peel the paper backing, position the patch on your item, cover with a pressing cloth, and press firmly with a hot iron to set.
Quick check - If the backing doesn’t peel cleanly, re-press with heat and pressure, allow to cool, and try again.
FAQ
- What machine is used in the video?
The tutorial uses the Brother PE 800, with .PES files loaded via flash drive.
- What fabric works well for patches?
The video uses black felt. It’s stable for clean stitching and doesn’t fray—ideal for patches.
- How long should I press the adhesive?
The creator holds the iron for at least 20 seconds, lets the patch cool, then presses from the back for another 20 seconds.
- Are hoop sizes or special frames required?
The video doesn’t specify hoop sizes or magnetic frames. If you’re researching accessories like magnetic embroidery hoops for brother pe800 or a brother 5x7 hoop, note that these are not shown in this project.
Troubleshooting Recap
- Thread keeps breaking or looks loose
Re-thread from the beginning and confirm the thread is seated in every guide—especially the last guide before the needle eye.
- Bobbin issues
Ensure a pre-wound bobbin is installed with the tail to the left (“P” orientation) and routed correctly before closing the cover.
- Adhesive mess
Spray over newspaper or inside a box and always use a pressing cloth during heat bonding.
- Backing won’t peel
Re-press with heat and pressure, cool fully, then peel again.
Looking ahead
Once you’ve nailed the flow—design, thread, hoop, stitch, bond—you can batch more designs and experiment with motifs that have solid fills and smooth outlines. If you later explore alternate hardware or accessories (not covered in the video), research the fit for your model—terms like magnetic embroidery hoops for brother pe800 or a brother magnetic hoop may come up, but they are not demonstrated here.
From the comments: community highlights
- Gratitude and confidence: Many viewers said this step-by-step approach answered all their questions and made embroidery feel approachable.
- Discovery: Some didn’t know they could add multiple designs or jump to different color threads and were excited to try it.
- Clarification: The creator explained the threading mistake was letting the thread slip out of the final guide right before the needle eye. magnetic embroidery hoops for brother