Applique Patterns for the Beginner
Filed Under embroidery designs
What is applique? How do you create beautiful applique designs? Which applique pattern is best and how do you stitch it?
These are all questions that any beginner to applique will be asking, and we hope to explain some basics here in this article.
The embroidery term “Applique” comes from the french word “appliquer”, which means to “put on”. In applique, one layer of fabric is placed over another layer of fabric. This smaller piece of fabric is then sewn in place. You have probably seen most applique designs in quilts. Using applique in quilting is a popular method to make quilts. Applique opens a whole new design world to the quilter allowing for many more possibilities than just piecing alone.
There are many ways of quilting with applique pieces, some are harder than others. Each depends on your experience level, equipment you have and some require a good deal of patience as well!
Hand applique patterns can be accomplished with methods such as hand basting, using freezer paper and even wash away stabilizers.
Hand basting appliques use a cardboard template, and you trace the applique design to the right side of the fabric. If you need to, stabilize the design pieces by stay-stitching, either by hand or by machine, just outside the drawn line using a very small stitch. Trim approximately 1/8″ away from the marked line. Very carefully, clip the fabric almost to the line on curves and on inside points. Turn the raw edge to the underside of the design piece on the marked line and carefully finger press. With the right side of the fabric facing, hand baste the raw edge in place close to the edge and press lightly. After attaching the design piece to the background, remove the hand basting thread.
Using wash away stabilizer material, begin by tracing the design pieces. Place stabilizer with traced design on the right side of the design fabric. Sew on the marked line by hand or by machine using as small stitch. Trim around the attached stabilizer fabric designs leaving a 1/8″ to 1/4″ seam allowance. Carefully clip the seam allowances almost up to the sewn line on inner points and curves. Make a small slit in the stabilizer and turn the fabric design and stabilizer right side out. Use a point turner or other blunt instrument to help push all the points and curves into shape. Press lightly on the fabric side with a dry iron. After completing the applique washing in cool water will remove the stablilzer.
The best needles for applique designs and patterns are to use are designed for applique. Remember, most of your patterns when you are making them will be reversed. Take your time and be patient with your applique patterns.
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