Applique Patterns for the Beginner
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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.
Computerized Embroidery Machine Designs
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Computerized Embroidery Machine Designs are designs that are created exclusively for embroidery machines that can use a floppy disk, CD or embroidery design card. The embroidery machine that uses these items, though a little more expensive than conventional embroidery machines, are most convenient for hobbyists and professionals alike. These computerized embroidery machine units are capable of automatically creating designs from pre-made patterns.
They can also be connected to a computer to create custom designs. The average Computerized Embroidery Machine costs around 500-600 dollars, along with the digitizing software program. Additional embroidery patterns can be bought from manufacturers, and other companies dealing with these kinds of embroidery accessories. However, many people prefer to create their own patterns by attaching the machine to a computer loaded with digitizing programs capable of resizing, editing and creating patterns.
Embroidery machine software programs can be divided into Commercial software– for custom designs, Machine-specific software – That can be downloaded for personal use, Independent-vendor software - An add-on for converting formats, Independent-designers software – which requires brand-specific hardware and software.
Before you purchase a machine embroidery system, you really need to look around and learn about the computerized embroidery machine designs that are available for it. What type of embroidery design software will it need? Are there special embroidery design cards that it requires? These are just a couple of questions that you really need to consider before buying a computerized embroidery machine.
Best Embroidery Machine Thread
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Two of the best embroidery machine threads are Rayon and Polyester. Which embroidery machine thread you choose to use is really up to you, however there are some considerations that you need to take into account when choosing the best embroidery machine thread.
Rayon embroidery machine thread is the most popular thread choice overall because of its attractive high sheen, widespread availability, and consistent trouble-free performance, holding up to high-speed stitching without breaking or fraying. Rayon thread comes in a wide range of solid and variegated colors, as well as in a new “twist” thread composed of two or more solid colors twisted together to form a single strand, which adds automatic shading and dimension to flat designs. Most rayon threads are available in a standard 40 wt. and a thicker 30 wt.
Polyester embroidery machine thread is also popular and economical for embroidery. Polyester thread provides an effect similar to rayon and comes in various colors. It won’t shrink, fade, or bleed, so it’s great for children’s clothes. Rayon thread has a slightly higher sheen than polyester thread, but the two are interchangeable and perform similarly without breaking or fraying. When they’re combined in a single design, it’s hard to tell the difference.
The two best embroidery machine threads are Rayon and Polyester by far due to their ease of use, durability and availability. Finding the best embroidery machine thread is just a mouse click away with most internet searches and they can easily be purchased in local sewing and craft stores also.
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