How to Frame an Applique

Dresses sometimes feature lace appliques.

Appliques are pieces of fabric sewn together to create designs, like a mosaic is a design made from stone or tile. They can be made from any material from felt to lace, and are used to decorate textiles such as clothing, pillows, quilts and holiday stockings. The earliest example of applique dates back to 980 BC, when it was used to decorate a funeral tent used at the burial of one of the Queens of Egypt. Today you can also decorate your walls with appliques by framing them with embroidery hoops.

Things You'll Need

• Embroidery hoop
• 1 yard of ribbon, 1/4 inch wide
• Ruler
• Sewing shears

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of the applique that you will be framing. Purchase an embroidery hoop that is 1 inch larger than the larger of the two measurements.

2. Loosen the bolt at the top of embroidery hoop and remove the inner ring. Then lay the larger hoop on a flat surface.

3. Center the applique upside down on top of the larger hoop. Keep in mind that the bolt is at the top of the embroidery hoop. Press the smaller hoop into place and tighten the bolt at the top of the embroidery hoop.

4. Flip the hoop over and check that the applique is centered and that the bolt is located at the top of the applique. Cut away any excess fabric around the back of the applique with sewing shears.

5. Tie ribbon around the outer edge of the hoop. Tie it in a bow at the top above the bolt. Cut away any excess ribbon.

References

• Sew Mama Sew; Little Pink House Tutorial; August 2009
• Quilt Qua: History of Appliques