Creating beautiful appliqué has never been easier! Appliqué is a very quick yet beautiful embellishment for quilts, sweaters, sweatshirts, T-shirts, bags and more. When combined with machine or hand embroidery, the results can be very rewarding. Below you will find three very easy methods for this traditional technique, including basic satin stitch appliqué and two types of turned edge appliqué.
| Click on image for larger view |
| 1. |
Trace or draw your image onto the paper side of Appli-kay Wonder® using a pen or pencil. |
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| 2. |
Using a medium iron temperature, fuse the soft side of Appli-kay Wonder® to the wrong side of the fabric to be appliquéd. It is necessary to hold the iron in place for at least 5 seconds and remember to not use steam. |
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| 3. |
Cut the image out and peel back the protective release paper. |
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| 4. |
Stick the appliqué down to your garment in the desired position. It is ok to reposition the appliqué as many times as needed. |
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| 5. |
Press the appliqué into place using a medium setting on your iron. Once in place, iron again on the opposite side of the fabric. Remember to press, don't iron! |
| 6. |
Satin stitch or use a decorative machine stitch to finish the appliqué! Don't forget to use your favorite Floriani stabilizer behind the garment or quilt block to support your machine stitches. |
| Tips for Satin Stitch Applique: |
| 1. |
Use cotton, rayon or polyester embroidery thread for maximum stitch quality. |
| 2. |
Use a Micro-Tex sharp needle to prevent poking large holes or needle sheering in the fabric. (Use a ballpoint if the appliqué is being stitched down to knit) |
| 3. |
Lower your tension two notches or numbers below what it normally sets on. This will ensure the threads are wrapping to the back of the fabric and will prevent the bobbin thread from sneaking to the top. |
| 4. |
Use a good quality tearaway such as Floriani Heat N Sta® Fusible Tearaway or Stitch N Wash® (also available in fusible) to support the heavy satin stitches in the garment or quilt.
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| 5. |
Always test your satin stitch on the actual piece of fabric that your work will be done on and write your settings down for future reference.
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| 6. |
Learn to pivot in the correct direction when going around curves, pulling the fabric when going around a curve or circle will "warp" or stretch the appliqué causing waves. Set your machine for the needle down position to keep the needle in the fabric when you stop and pivot. This is when you will really love your knee lift on your machine! |
| 7. |
BREATHE !! and for goodness sake, sit up straight! Tilt your machine toward you and this will help with both of these problems! |
"No Bulk" Turned Edge Appliqué
This technique is super easy and holds the appliqué in place while you stitch. Because the product used to turn the edge washes out, bulk is eliminated for a beautiful, flat finish!
| Supplies
Needed: |
- Floriani Wet n Gone Fusible®
- Fabric for appliqué
- Scissors
- Iron
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| 1. |
Trace or draw your image onto the wrong side of your fabric to be appliquéd. |
| 2. |
Place the fusible (shiny) side of the Floriani Wet N Gone Fusible® to the right side of the appliqué fabric. |
| 3. |
Using a short stitch length, stitch on the lines drawn. |
| 4. |
Trim the excess fabric around the stitching lines to within 1/8". |
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| 5. |
Cut a slit in the Wet N Gone® and turn the fabric right side out, pushing out any points or curves. |
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| 6. |
Once the fabric is turned, the fusible side of the Floriani Wet n Gone Fusible® is exposed. Position the appliqué on the quilt square or garment and press in to place using a medium temp setting on your iron. Do not use steam! |
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| 7. |
Embellish the appliqué with machine or hand stitching. |
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| 8. |
Once laundered, the Wet N Gone Fusible® will disappear eliminating any bulk within the seam! |
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"Sealed Edge" Turned Edge Appliqué
This durable finish to the edge of the fabric ensures your stitching will stay beautiful through normal wear and tear on the quilt or garment. Perfect for sharp edges and points that tend to sneak out from under the fold over time and ravel.
| Supplies
Needed: |
- Floriani No Show Nylon Mesh Fusible
(Available in Black, White and Beige)
- Fabric for appliqué
- Scissors
- Iron
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| 1. |
Trace or draw your image onto the wrong side of your fabric to be appliquéd. |
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| 2. |
Place the right side (non-fusible side) of the stabilizer to the right side of the appliqué fabric. |
| 3. |
Using a short stitch length, stitch on the drawn lines. |
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| 4. |
Trim the excess fabric to within 1/8" of the stitched lines. |
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| 5. |
Cut a slit in the stabilizer and turn the appliqué right side out. Push out any points or curves and clip into the curves if necessary to achieve smoothness. |
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| 6. |
Trim the stabilizer to ½" of the stitched lines. |
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| 7. |
The fusible side of the stabilizer is now facing the wrong side of the appliqué fabric. Use the point of your iron (silk temp setting) to press the stabilizer to the appliqué fabric. This will seal the edge of the fabric to prevent it from raveling. |
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| 8. |
Position the appliqué on your garment or quilt square and machine or hand stitch in to place. Note! If desired, use Floriani Appli-kay Wonder® to secure the appliqué fabric to prevent it from moving while you stitch. |
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