IRON-ON TECHNIQUES

This technique will be separate from the hand and machine applique class and consist of items that are embellished by iron-on fabric applique or transfers and/or painted designs.   This may be an original design or a pattern and should say so in the 4-H Craft Project Report.

General suggestions to help leaders:

• Emphasize the relationship between the technique and the object it is used on
• More expertise should be evident as years in the project increase
• Follow general crafts judging guidelines

Suggested project for this class: sweatshirts are most common.  Other ideas are T-shirts, duffel bags, vests, quilts, hair bows, book covers, jeans, doll clothes, pillows, rugs, wall hangings.  Some better-known applications that would fall into this class would be: no-sew applique using fusible web, iron-on transfers.

Suggested knowledge/skills to learn:

Beginners (1-2 years in the project)

1. Learn basic materials and usage
2. Learn how to care for materials
3. Learn how to prepare items for using this technique
4. Learn how to avoid common problems, e.g. wrinkled fabric, frayed edges, etc.
5. Finishing, drying, clean-up
   

Intermediates (3-4 years in the project)

1. Continue using skills learned in previous years
2. Combine techniques or use more advanced techniques such as using layering, embroidery, paints, beads and other embellishments, etc.

Advanced (5-6 years in the project)

1. Continue work as in previous years
2. More elaborate and refined work
3. Extensive detail work
4. Or a bigger project

K Oesterle, 1997