How to Make Fabric Appliques

The addition of appliques is a great way to embellish ordinary shirts, bedding, decorative pillows, and much more. They add a touch of matchless creativity that's absent from mass produced items typically sold in stores. Appliques turn ordinary fabric into something uniquely extraordinary.

Don't buy ready-made appliques. You can make appliques from many different types of fabrics to create interesting graphics, and the possibilities are only limited by your imagination. If you can sew, you can make all types of appliques to add to fabric items, and you can turn ordinary clothing into unique works of art. Best of all, you don't have to use a sewing machine to make appliques.

Finding Graphics

One of the first sewing projects I completed in my sewing class was an appliqued pillow. I found the graphic for the pillow in a coloring book. Coloring book pictures are perfect for appliques. They aren't overly detailed; they can be cut out and traced onto fabric of your choice, and then reassembled to make a complete picture. Look in your children's coloring books. You'll be surprised by the possibilities.

The Internet is another great source for applique patterns. Visit http://www.freeapplique.com for dozens of fantastic patterns to embellish pillows, bedding, clothing, and more.

Stencils are also a great way to make fabric appliques. Craft stores and some discount stores offer a wide variety of stencils. You can find free stencils online at http://www.bhg.com. You'll also find instructions that illustrate how to make your own stencils.

Choosing Fabric

Many different types of fabric can be used to make one applique. Keep in mind that different types of fabric could require different washing and drying methods. Try to choose fabrics that are similar in weight and require the same type of care. Lightweight to medium weight materials make the best finished pieces.

Tracing and Cutting

Trace pieces for appliques using a sharpened fabric pencil. Leave ½ inch of extra material around the traced pieces if you plan on using a sewing machine, and leave ¼ inch of extra material around the edges if you'll be hand stitching the pieces, unless you're going to use fusible fabric adhesive.

If you plan on attaching pieces to fabric using fusible adhesive, or stitch witchery, the excess material around the edges isn't necessary. Stitch witchery is fusible iron-on fabric adhesive that comes in a roll. If machine basting or hand basting pieces to fabric, the excess material should be carefully and evenly trimmed away after attaching, just beyond the stitches.

Before Sewing

A single piece of fabric can be sewn on as is, but pieces sewn together to make one design should be overlapped a little so the finished design looks whole.

Hand Stitching Appliques

Begin by stay stitching the pieces so they don't unravel. Stitch the edges just beyond the traced lines so they won't show when they are turned under. Cut notches in the curves and corners so the edges won't curl.

If you used a stencil, place the first fabric piece right side down, and place the stencil shape in the center. Fold over the extra material around the edges of the shape, and press them down with a hot iron. Remove the stencil, and hand stitch the overturned edges. Pin the pieces in place on the fabric to make the design, and whipstitch them to the fabric with color coordinating thread.

Machine Stitched Appliques

Machine stitched appliques can be attached to the fabric with stitch witchery. You can find it online or in fabric supply stores. Alternately, pieces can be machine basted or hand basted to fabric before finishing with a sewing machine.

Use tight zigzag stitches to attach the pieces to the fabric, and keep most of the stitching on the design rather than the background fabric. Stop sewing to pivot around corners, and sew slowly and carefully around curves to make professional looking appliques.