How to: Machine Applique With Fusible

Hand sewing appliqués on a quilt can be a tedious process.

Adding an applique to a quilt, handmade purse or child's article of clothing is a decorative way to bring some pizzazz to your project. Although some quilters and seamstresses are purists about the hand-sewing process, using a sewing machine and fusible web to attach your applique can save you a lot of time and a lot of wear and tear on your fingertips. Fusible web bonds fabrics together with an iron and requires no stitching. You can then stitch around the edge of the applique to create a decorative edge.

Things You'll Need

• Pattern for appliqué design
• Pencil
• Paper or cardboard
• Fabric for appliqué
• Fusible interfacing
• Iron
• Disappearing ink marking pen
• Background fabric
• Fusible web
• Clean cotton cloth

Instructions

1. Draw your design on a piece of paper or cardboard to create a template

2. Lay swatches of the fabric you have chosen for your applique on fusible interfacing and fuse the two together with an iron according to the instructions. The interfacing will stiffen your applique fabric and make it easier to work with.

3. 

   Use a marking pen with disappearing ink so the tracing lines will fade.

   Trace the outline of your template onto the background fabric using the template you created so you can map out where you to lay the applique piece. Repeat this process if you have more than one applique piece.

4. Trace around the template on a piece of fusible web and cut it out.

5. Lay the piece of fusible web on your background fabric using the lines you drew earlier. Place the tip of a hot iron on the edges of the web. This will secure the fusible web so it won't move.

6. Place your applique piece on top of the fusible web. Place a hot iron in the center of the piece to secure it in place.

7. Place all the appliques in their places and secure with the tip of an iron, if you have more than one. This will visually assure you that they are placed where you want them.

8. Lay a cloth on top of the appliques. Press a hot iron on the pieces to fuse them in place according the fusible web instructions.

9. Stitch around the pieces with a decorative stitch such as a zigzag or satin stitch.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you begin to sew, try some different decorative stitches on a scrap of fabric to see which ones you like.

• When ironing the the fusible web on the background fabric, be careful not to burn your fingertips.

References

• "The Ultimate Applique Guidebook - Machine Techniques, History, Step-By-Step Instructions, Keys to Design & Inspiration;" Annie Smith; 2010
• New Mexico State University; Sewing Machine Applique; Susan Wright; March 2001