IRON-ON LETTERS

CAN'T FIND THOSE IRON-ON LETTERS FOR YOUR VESTS?

CONSIDER MAKING YOUR OWN!
HERE'S A QUICK AND INEXPENSIVE WAY:

Your neighbor has just finished making your vest. Your Federation patches are on, and all that is left to do is to put on your tribal name. So you drive on down to the local crafts store only to discover that they're sold out of iron-on letters. You try a few other stores, but no luck. What are you going to do? Consider making your own! Here's a quick and inexpensive way to make iron-on letters for your vests, flags, banners, or other tribal projects.

1.xxxxxMAKE YOUR TEMPLATES

First of all, check the materials list to see what you'll need to purchase. For the letter templates, you'll need to determine what letters are needed, and then purchase the corresponding stick-on letters from the hardware store. (Each letter is sold individually and comes printed on a small plastic square. They're often sold in the mail box or house number aisle.) The three-inch tall letters look well with the vests, but you're free to choose any style or size. You can also use the type of stick-on letters that are used to make poster board signs. (They're sold in sets of several sheets with the entire alphabet on them.) These are sold in office supply stores such as Office Max, and come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. But since these stick-ons are thin and flexible, you'll have to mount them onto small squares of thin, stiff cardboard, such as poster board. Now, once you've obtained your letters you'll need to carefully cut them out of the plastic or cardboard squares that they're mounted or printed on with an x-acto knife. Use a straight edge when necessary. When all of the excess material is removed from the inside and outside edges of the letter, your template is done. (Figure 1)

2.xxxxxPREPARE THE FABRIC

Next you'll need fabric for your letters. Choose any type, color, or texture. Crushed velvet looks and works well. The amount of fabric that will be needed will depend on the size and number of letters your going to use. If you only need to buy a small amount of material, most fabric stores sell "remnants" (small pieces of unused fabric) at discounted prices, but your choices will be limited.

You'll also need a large sheet of iron-on adhesive which is also available at most fabric stores or in the fabric department at Walmart. One popular brand is HEATnBOND by Therm O Web. Make sure to get the ULTRAHOLD or heavy duty version, since you'll want your letters to adhere well to your vests. (Your letters may not adhere well to certain kinds of materials such as leather and ultimately might have to be sewn on.)

Next, make sure to iron out any wrinkles in the fabric. Then cut out a large piece of iron-on adhesive that is big enough to cover the piece of fabric that your working with. Make sure that it is about a quarter inch shorter around the edges than the fabric. (You don't want the piece of adhesive to hang over the edge of the fabric and melt onto the ironing board!) Follow the manufacturer's instructions and melt the adhesive onto the BACK SIDE (if any) of the fabric with an iron (Figure 2). DO NOT remove the paper backing from the adhesive at this time.

3.xxxxxMAKE YOUR LETTERS

Now, place your letter template on top of the paper backing TOP SIDE DOWN and trace the inside and outside edges of your letter with an ink pen (Figure 3). Repeat and trace all of your letters at this time. After your tracing has been completed, cut the letters from the fabric with a pair of scissors (Figure 4). Use an x-acto knife on the inside edges. If the paper backing should begin to separate from the fabric, press an iron (on a low setting) onto the paper until it re-adheres to the fabric. When all of your letters are done, you're ready to attach them to your vest.

4.xxxxxAFFIX TO YOUR PROJECT

The final step is to remove the paper backing (Figure 5) and place the letter on your vest or project adhesive side down. Heat with an iron but DO NOT RUB (Figure 6). (Again, follow the manufacturer's instructions for the proper temperature setting and length of time.) If you really want to get fancy and have an embroidered look to your letters, you can use a sewing machine with matching tread and stitch around the inside and outside edges. Use a zigzag stitch with the shortest stitch length possible.

There you have it! A quick and easy way to make letters for you and your entire tribe. I hope this information will be helpful for you. So give it a try, and good luck!

Fig. 1 - Cut out Template

Fig. 2 - Iron on Adhesive

Fig. 3 - Trace Template

Fig. 4 - Cut Out Letter

Fig. 5 - Peel Off Paper

Fig. 6 - Iron on Letter