Embellishing with Ironons Page Adding a bit of bling - PDF document

Embellishing with Iron-ons Adding a bit of blingto your day (and yourtoday's technology!Whether you wantto showcasecrystals, studs,pearls or metallicnailheads, they canon your project.Shapes can be purchased individually, inassortments or in pre-packaged amounts ofa single shape depending on your designneeds. Allow a few extra shapes forpracticing.When purchasing press-ons, the shape willbe designated by diameter, such as 2, 3 or4mm. Metal findings may be available in ashiny or matte surface, depending on thedesired look.There are two ways to applyembellishments: using a hot tool applicator,or with a household iron. Applicators arewand-like tools with interchangeable pointsthat heat up and melt the adhesive on theback of the press-on shapes.The applicator tips come in a variety ofsizes and shapes, including those designedto fit over a dome-shape jewel, or with aflat tip to heat a larger surface. Alwaysselect the tip thatthe size andshape of the iron-on you're using. There are severaltools, but mostrequire about fiveminutes to heatprior to use. Because the tip can burn anything it comesin contact with, use the safetystand to keep the tip off theprotected work surface. It's best touse a non-flammable surface, like aglass cutting board, for safety.Individual shapes can be applied oneat a time to fill a design area or tocreate a pattern, or they can berandomly sprinkled over a fabricsurface to add sparkle.Detailed instructions vary depending onthe brand of hot tool, but most suggestthat you actually pick up theembellishment with the tool tip, set it inplace and release. Some suggest holdingthe tool in place for a few seconds tothoroughly melt the adhesive and allow thejewel to adhere to the fabric.Holding the shape too long can result inthe adhesive puddling and seeping outfrom under the embellishment, creating anunsightly stain. Also, the base fabric maymelt from the heat, depending on its fibercontent. Use a few jewels to practice onscraps before starting your project to besure you have the technique and timingmastered.If you think you're not artistic and needhelp with designs, look for pre-made motifsfrom flowers to skulls„there's somethingfor every occasion. These motifs arecomprised of individual shapes attached toa clear protective sheet keeping themintact until they're pressed into place onthe fabric. Although instructions vary, most motifs areadhered using a dry iron and a press clothto melt the adhesive. Some brandsrecommend pressing from the wrong sideto securely fuse the embellishments after Photo courtesy of Sara Moe,Spinning Pinwheel Quilts Photo courtesy of Creative Crystal Embellishing with Iron-ons Also note on the product instructions whether theprotective sheet is to be peeled away immediately afterpressing while it's still warm, or if it should cool beforeremoval.When properly applied, most embellishments canwithstand hand washing or dry cleaning, but be sure toread the label for detailsIron-on embellishments can be used in combinationwith other art techniques, like hand or machineembroidery, stamping, decorative stitching or quilting. Photo courtesy of Bobbie Bullard DesignsSue's Sparkler's design