Japanese Firefighter Patch/Appliqué 0104002

This patch/appliqué used to be a printed Japanese hand towel. I thought the print was interesting, because they are company names of Edo period community firefighters. So I made patches from it. This particular one is group "Ma".

By making patches from leftover fabric, we are not only utilizing it rather than sending it to a landfill, but also extend the life of a garment by sealing the holes or blemishes. 

The back of the patches is strengthen with stabilizer, and the perimeter is embroidered. Iron-on adhesive is applied on the back, so that you can attach them easily without sewing. 

When you attach it with an iron, heat the iron to mid temperature place the patch/appliqué on desired spot of the garment. Make sure the part of the garment under the patch/appliqué is not folded or wrinkled. To protect your iron from adhesive, over the patch/appliqué with a Teflon sheet or protective fabric, and iron over it for 8 seconds. Wait until it cools down, to ensure the adhesive is set. Then turn over the garment, and iron from the back for few seconds more.

Adhesive is pretty strong, but depending on which fabric to be applied, frequency of laundry, and the shape of the particular patch/appliqué, it may come off partially. When it happens, hand sew the edge. Please refer to the instruction video on the left.