How to Applique Cloth Flowers on Clothing

A fabric flower applique creates a unique clothing embellishment.

Any garment can be embellished with such items as lace, embroidery or applique. Flowers are a frequently used motif in applique. Flower shapes are cut from fabric and stitched by hand or machine to the clothing fabric. For a first applique attempt, stick with plain, simple flower shapes cut in one piece. You can try more detailed and complex designs as you gain experience, layering bits of fabric for depth.

Things You'll Need

• Scraps of light- to medium-weight fabric
• Fusible interfacing
• Fusible webbing (optional)
• Flower design pattern
• Fabric marker or tracing paper
• Scissors
• Glue stick (optional)
• Dressmakers pins
• Stabilizing fabric (optional)
• Sewing needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Choose a pattern for your flower. Simple, basic flower patterns can be found in children's coloring books, or you can draw one freehand. Quilt magazines or books are also a good source for applique flower patterns.

2. Mark the position of the applique on the garment. Transfer the flower design to the applique fabric, using either tracing paper or a fabric marker.

3. Cut out the fabric flower to be appliqued. For greater stability and crisper edges, bond the flower to a piece of fusible interfacing by placing it on the interfacing and pressing briefly with a hot iron. Trim the interfacing to match the flower.

4. Position the fabric flower and interfacing on the clothing. A simple applique flower can be pinned in place, or you can use a glue stick or fusible webbing. For fusible webbing, cut a piece in the shape of the flower and lightly bond it to the garment with a hot iron. Position the applique over it, then place a pressing cloth over all and press down with the hot iron. This will fuse the applique flower to the garment.

5. Set your sewing machine for a tight zigzag or satin stitch, and sew around the edges of the flower. A blanket stitch can be used to create a decorative edge if you're sewing by hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Some will wish to use a stabilizing fabric available at fabric stores and online. This will prevent the garment fabric from stretching out of shape as you sew the applique. Place it beneath the applique and behind the garment material before you sew. The stabilizing fabric is then cut or torn away.

References

• University of Kentucky: Cooperative Extension Service: Applique
• New Mexico State University: Sewing Machine Applique

Resources

• Threads Magazine: Making Sense of Stabilizers; November 2008
• Threads Magazine: Natural Linen Summer Dress With Flax Flower Applique; July 2009