Easy Appliqué
There are many ways to create appliqués. Preparation of the appliqué makes the process of sewing it to a garment or other project easy, fast, and fun. A quick and favorite way to eliminate raw edges and insure a neat and perfect appliqué is to create a facing for the design.

  • Add a 1/4" seam allowance to appliqué and cut two pieces–one of fabric and the other of a lightweight fusible interfacing. With right side of appliqué fabric against fusible side of interfacing or web, Sew a 1/4" seam around the appliqué. Clip and trim seam to 1/8", using care not to clip or trim into the seam. A small stitch length (1.5mm-2.0mm) helps sew around curves with ease and accuracy. Clip “X”-shaped opening in the center of the interfacing; do not cut appliqué.
  • Simply turn the appliqué through the clipped X. Finger press sewn edges and fuse it in place on the project. Now, stitching it permanently is easy.
  • Another technique is to trace appliqué on to fusible web. Cut and press. Peel away backing of fusible web and place appliqué on garment. Press in place and sew appliqué. This works especially well with felt and non-woven appliqués.
  • To eliminate raw edges, do above technique and add 1/4" seam allowance to both fabric and fusible web. Press fusible to wrong side of appliqué; remove paper. Clip seams and press under. Fuse appliqué in place, right side up.
Decorative Stitches
Experiment and try the many decorative stitches on a machine to create appliqué finishes. Create a test sample first–adjusting widths and lengths of various stitches and placement of needle to see what works best and is most aesthetically pleasing. Placement of presser foot may also be adjusted in order to produce the desired effect when attaching the appliqué.
Blind Hem Stitch
The blind hem stitch is also used to attach an appliqué to a project. Decreasing the length and width of blind hem stitch on the machine creates an invisible application of appliqué. This subtle stitch may be desired in a delicate heirloom project. The open embroidery foot gives greatest visibility for this technique.

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