How to Applique With Silk on Silk

Make a silk applique using basic craft materials.

When you sew an applique onto cotton or linen fabric, you can sew the applique on without worrying about making needle or pin holes in the wrong place. However, when you are trying to sew an applique using silk fabric, the silk can quickly become destroyed if you are not careful in your needle and pin usage. Following certain basic sewing techniques will allow you to successfully sew a delicate silk applique onto silk fabric.

Things You'll Need

• Silk fabric, two different colors
• Scissors
• Embroidery hoop
• Straight pins, fine
• Sewing needle, fine
• Thread, fine

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of silk fabric to make a 12-by-12-inch square, and place the square of silk between an embroidery hoop. Pull the edges of the silk to make the fabric taut in between the layers of the hoop.

2. Cut out a round shape, such as a circle or an oval, that measures 4 to 6 inches in diameter from a different color of silk fabric.

3. Snip around the edge of the silk shape, making each cut 1/4 inch long and spaced 1/2 inch apart.

4. Fold the snipped edging over to create a smooth, even edge around the entire shape.

5. Place the shape onto the silk fabric in the embroidery hoop, arranging the shape where you prefer. Pin the edges of the silk shape onto the fabric using fine straight pins. Fine straight pins can be inserted and removed from silk, minimizing damage to the fabric.

6. Thread a fine sewing needle with lightweight thread, and then sew around the pinned edges of the shape using tiny stitches. Remove the straight pins and trim off excess thread with scissors.

7. Remove the silk fabric from the embroidery hoop.

Tips & Warnings

• Start out sewing on a simple applique, such as a circle or an oval, instead of a more complicated applique with a lot of corners.

• Keep sharp scissors, straight pins and sewing needles away from children.

References

• Quilters Cache: Learn To Applique