Applique’ is stitching fabric shapes on to a background fabric to create designs. You can stitch the shapes by hand or machine, or you can fuse them on with a bonding fabric. It is a versatile technique that can be used to decorate many items from clothing to soft furnishings.
Materials
Fabric - The easiest form of applique’ uses motifs cut from printed fabrics. Fabrics with bold smooth outlines they are the easiest for cutting out and applying. Most firm colourfast fabrics work best, be sure they are a match for washing so there are no laundering problems. Stretch and loosly woven fabrics generally don’t work well.
Templates can be used if you wish to make your own shapes, choose plain or patterned, firmly woven, smooth fabric for best results. Non woven fabrics such as felt and leather make good motifs they are easier to cut and they don’ fray.
Needles and Pins – Use fine, sharp pins and needles which will pierce the fabric without snagging or making large holes.
Thread – Should be matched to the colour of the motif
Dressmakers marker – for drawing designs .
Paper – Graph paper, tracing paper and thin card are useful if you plan to do your own applique design.
Bonding fabric -can be used to fuse applique’ to the main fabric.
Scissors – must be sharp, use dressmakers scissors to cut designs out roughly, then use small scissors to cut out fine detail.
Happy Sewing :