How to Make a Heart Applique

Timeless hearts make adorable applique patches.

Whether they're large or small, heart-shaped appliques have a timeless appeal. They can look either modern and funky or traditionally old-fashioned depending on their shape and the fabric they're cut from. Jazz up accessories from purses to tote bags with purely decorative heart appliques, or get extra wear out of holey garments with functional applique patches.

Things You'll Need

• Paper heart template
• Scissors
• Fabric
• Pins
• Fusible webbing
• Iron

Instructions

1. Make a paper heart-shaped template. You can either draw a heart freehand -- slightly irregular-shaped hearts make charming and funky-looking applique patches -- or download a printable applique template. Cut out the heart shape.

2. Pin the pattern to your fabric then cut around the outline.

3. Cut a heart-shape from the fusible webbing using the same template. Cut this out.

4. Iron the fusible webbing to the wrong side of the fabric heart to give the applique patch more strength and substance.

5. Stitch the applique heart where you want it on your project.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the directions on your fusible webbing package. There are many different brands, and each have their own specific instructions.

• If you use a heavy fabric, such as felt, you don't need to use fusible webbing since the fabric will have enough body by itself.

• Give your heart applique a fancy edge by cutting it out with pinking shears. Using pinking shears also helps to prevent the edges of the fabric from fraying.

References

• Moms Break: Free Heart Stencil