A simple and effective method of decorating fabric done by hand or by other methods is known as applique. Cutting a shape out of one fabric and sewing that shape onto another fabric is the basic concept of applique. Applique can be used with other materials besides fabric. Some of these materials include beads, sequins and more. Not every material is suitable for applique. However, applique can be used for small or large scale work. Applique requires two important steps, the first is the designing and transfer of the design to the fabric. The second step is the applique itself. You can look at designing for applique in two different ways. The first is to work directly with materials, cutting shapes, arranging and rearranging the shapes, and stitching them by hand or machine to a background without any type of planning. The other is to plan a design on paper, using cut paper, and tracing or drawing forms that are easy such as leaves, butterflies, fish, etc. Be careful when choosing the color and texture of the material because it is an extremely important part of the design.
There are different applique techniques to choose from. These techniques include:
- Needle turn applique.
This technique is done by stitching directly onto the surface. The needle is used as a tool in this method of applique to turn the seam allowance under as stitches are taken.
Needle turn applique steps:
1. Leaving a ¼" seam allowance between motifs, trace or transfer applique shape onto fabric. Then carefully cut out.
2. Transfer applique design to the fabric background.
3. Fold over seam allowance and crease to wrong side, using a bamboo creaser. Follow traced line when folding over seam allowance.
4. Place applique in position and then pin from the wrong side.
5. Using a threaded needle, place needle under applique and come up just on the applique edge of the creased seam allowance. Then pull thread through. Directly across from where the needle came up , insert needle into background fabric and move needle up under the applique, emerging 1/8" from the last stitch. This is known as a blind stitch and with practice it will be nearly invisible.
-Freezer paper applique technique.
Freezer paper is used as a guide for stitching when this method is used.
Freezer paper applique technique steps:
1.Transfer applique to the background of fabric.
2. Then copy motif onto the freezer paper, the motif should be copied onto the dull side of the freezer paper. Do not add seam allowance and cut out exactly on line.
3. Place shiny side down onto motif fabric, iron freezer paper motif. Adding ¼" seam allowance, cut out shape, but do not remove freezer paper.
4. Place on background fabric and proceed to pin.
5. Just on the outside edge of the freezer paper template, but under the applique, bring the needle up. As a guide while blind stitching applique, use the point of the needle to push seam allowance under following paper edge.
Raw edge applique technique.
Use this technique to add a fun look that gives an added dimension to the top of a quilt.
Raw edge applique technique steps:
1. Trace or transfer design to background of fabric.
2. Then transfer motif to applique fabric.
3. Cut out motif. For added dimension try using wavy edge or pinking edge scissors.
4. Place motif on background of fabric and pin.
5. Using machine or by hand, stitch with decorative stitches inside the edge of the applique leaving the edge free of ravel.
6. Embellishments such as buttons, beads, etc. make this type of applique look exceptionally well.