Installing an Iron-on Patch

Written By: Brittany McCrigler
  • Comments: 4
Installing an Iron-on Patch

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

9

Time Required

5 - 10 minutes

Introduction

When you want to fix a hole in a pair of jeans quickly and with a minimum of fuss, go for an iron-on patch. They’re easy to use (like patching a bike inner tube) and durable. Be sure to purchase a patch that’s clearly labeled as an “iron-on."

For replacement parts or further assistance, contact Patagonia Customer Service.

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    • Examine the damage – cut off any long threads and clean off any debris.

    • Grab your iron-on patch.

    • We are using a contrasting patch for visibility, but you may want something that matches with your jeans or a fun contrasting color.

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    • Preheat your iron according to the recommended settings found on the packaging information included with the patch.

    • Take a scrap of denim and place it inside the pant leg, beneath the hole.

    • This scrap material will keep your patch from sticking the front of your jeans to the back, which would effectively seal the leg opening shut (not a good thing...)

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    • Measure the length and width of the hole in your jeans, including any damaged area around the hole.

    • In our case the hole is about 1.5 inches by 2 inches.

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    • Add at least a half-inch in both directions to get your final patch measurements.

    • Mark your final patch measurements on the patch with tailor’s chalk.

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    • Cut the patch along your marks.

    • Round the corners of the patch, to prevent them from peeling up.

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    • Lay your cut patch over the hole and position it where you want it.

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    • Iron the patch according to the package instructions, usually from between 30-45 seconds. Keep the iron moving and try to apply even heat to the whole patch.

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    • Run your finger around the edge of the patch to ensure that all the edges are completely bonded to your jeans.

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    • Turn the pant leg inside out.

    • Gently try and lift the scrap of fabric from the inside of the pant leg.

    • If the scrap comes off, you no longer need it.

    • If the scrap is held firmly in place by the patch, simply trim away the excess fabric from where the scrap is adhered with your scissors, leaving the remaining scrap in place.

Conclusion

Admire your work!

Author

Brittany McCrigler

Member since: 05/03/12

88098 Reputation

4 comments

This is useful, but I hope we can see more. In particular, my kids have many holes in polar fleece pants that they love. You can't do an iron-on patch with fleece (the synthetic fiber can't take the heat), and sewing on a patch doesn't seem like a great idea since the material is stretchier than the patch. Does Patagonia have advice on how to repair these?

Raphael Sperry -

Just a little video I put together how your your step by step procedure in video formats is done Hope it helps https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T9iCnIr5Su...

ristuccia.daniel -

what we men need is some way to fix pockets….. that flimsy stuff wears through in no time…

abrogard -

Instead of a scrap piece of denim, I put another patch on the inside and iron them together.

Ken Eisman -