Celebrate Cultural Artistry with Iron-On Tatreez Patches

Support Palestinian women artisans and add a meaningful, handcrafted touch to any pants, jacket or bag in your wardrobe with the Set of 3 Large Hand-Embroidered Iron-On Clothes and Bag Patches from Handmade Palestine. These unique patches, featuring traditional tatreez motifs—like watermelon, map of Palestine with keffiyeh, and map of Palestine with watermelon—are lovingly hand-stitched by women in villages around Ramallah through the fair-trade project Manjel Ma’qoud .

Each set is a surprise: you’ll receive a beautiful trio of designs in every order, supporting artisan families and enriching your personal style with tangible heritage  .

Why These Patches Matter

• Empowerment through craft
  Every patch is made by women in Beit Doqo and nearby villages, helping sustain the livelihoods of approximately 15 families .
• Authentic heritage
  Tatreez embroidery connects modern accessories to centuries of Palestinian artistic tradition.
• Fair-trade impact
  Proceeds support environmentally minded nonprofits and community initiatives—your purchase plants seeds of change across Palestine .

How to Apply Iron-On Tatreez Patches with Steam

Although most iron-on patch instructions recommend dry heat, Handmade Palestine explicitly notes that using steam is the secret for best adhesion. Here’s how to apply your patch step by step, adapting standard methods to incorporate steam:

Preparation

• Ensure the garment or item (bags, jeans, jackets) is clean, dry, and made of heat-tolerant fabric like cotton or denim.
• Pre-wash if needed.
• Lay the item flat on a firm, heat-safe surface

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Position the Patch
   
• Peel off the paper backing layer from the patch.
• Place the adhesive side down on the fabric.
2. Cover with a Pressing Cloth
   
• Lay a thin cloth (e.g., a cotton tea towel or pressing cloth) over the patch to protect the embroidery.
3. Heat with Steam
   
• Set your iron to a medium-high setting that’s safe for the fabric.
• Enable the steam function.
• Gently press the iron over the patch through the cloth, applying firm pressure. Steam helps melt and activate the adhesive more thoroughly.
  
4. Hold Endurance
   
• Maintain pressure and steam for about 30–45 seconds to ensure even heat distribution .
  
5. Turn Garment and Repeat (Optional)
   
• For stronger bonding, you may iron the reverse side of the fabric (inside out), pressing again for 15 seconds or so, again with steam.
  
6. Cooling Period
   
• Let the patch cool completely before touching or wearing—this ensures the adhesive sets properly .
  

Notes on Steam vs. Dry Heat

• Traditional guides often advise dry heat only, warning that steam may weaken the adhesive.
• However, Handmade Palestine explicitly assures that steam is the secret for these patches. This suggests the adhesive used is specially designed to bond best when steam is applied—so feel confident using it.

Final Thoughts

• Cultural pride meets wearable art: Each patch is a vibrant emblem of Palestinian heritage, handcrafted by skilled artisans.
• Meaningful support: Your purchase empowers women artisans, supports fair trade initiatives, and contributes to sustainable communities.
• Practice makes perfect: Steam-based application is unique to these patches—follow the steps carefully for a flawless and lasting result.