Adding a patch to a Cafe bag

[bchaplin]

Has anyone successfully attached a decorative patch to a Cordura cafe bag?
I have a design in mind that I was going to create with an inkjet printer and a transfer label. I would like the patch itself to look visually like the gray TomBihn label that is already on the bag, though it would be larger, and iron-on instead of sewed. Is this possible to do? I am not a very 'crafty' person.
Thanks
Beth

[Lani]

I have no clue how the fabric will handle heat from an iron. You might actually want to look up your local yellow pages to see if there is a shop that does embroidery. You can often find them under "promotional products" or trophies, buttons, badges, etc. They have embroidery machines that can embroider names on work shirts and whatnot. Depending on how intricate your design it, they might be able to embroider a very nice little patch for you for very little cost, and have it look professionally made. Many of those machines these days are completely computerized, and can reproduce a design really nicely.

I don't know if they would then be able to sew it on the bag for you, but if they have an industrial sewing machine, it should be no problem. If not, you might also look up any local shop that does alterations, and they should be able to sew it on for you with no trouble.

If you don't have any luck finding an alteration shop and you want to do it yourself, make sure you can sew it on OK. If it works out to be too tough, you might consider gluing it on using Mighty Mendit. I'm not one to push infomercial products, but there have been a few TV news consumer reporter types who have tested it out, and on fabrics it works like a charm. I think you should be able to find it at most "As Seen On TV" stores (and checking online, it looks like you can buy them directly from Walgreens and Wal-Mart).

Good luck with your project!

[PM4HIRE]

An embroidery will work on a TB cafe bag , I've had this done several times.

[Sera]

I think I'd hem the patch and stitch it on. It wouldn't be terribly hard, and I think it could look super!

[bchaplin]

Thanks for all the replies! I found some online companies that make patches; I think that's the best way to go.

[Lani]

Let us know how your project turns out!