How to Embroider the Edges of an Iron-on Applique

Strengthen applique edges with embroidery stitches.

Iron-on applique patches are a fast way to jazz up a T-shirt, a blouse or a pair jeans. However, once the applique is ironed in place it can sometimes look a little unfinished if the edges are plain. This is especially true with iron-on appliques you make yourself from pieces of scrap fabric. Simple embroidery stitches around the edges give the patches a more professional appearance, as well as holding them more firmly in place than if you rely solely on the bonding ability of the iron-on backing.

Things You'll Need

• Embroidery floss
• Needle
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

Instructions

Hand Embroidery Blanket Stitch

1. Choose an embroidery floss in a color that complements the colors in the applique patch. Thread an embroidery or tapestry needle with a sharp point, and tie a knot in the end of the thread.

2. Work from the right side of the fabric so you can see the front of the applique. Push the needle up through the garment from the back so the point appears at the edge of the patch without piercing it. Pull the thread through until the knot catches on the back of the garment.

3. Insert the needle down through the patch, 1/4-inch to the left of the knot and 1/4-inch toward the center of the patch. Push the needle down through all layers of fabric. Bring the needle point up through the garment fabric, just beyond the edge of the patch.

4. Place the thread behind the point of the needle while the needle is lodged in the fabric. Push the needle all the way through the fabric. The result is a stitch that looks like whipstitch with the thread caught in the loop of the stitch. The caught threads form a line that runs along the edge of the patch as more stitches are sewn.

5. Stitch all around the edge of the patch, then finish with three stitches in the same place -- on the reverse of the garment -- to secure the thread.

Machine Embroidery Zigzag

1. Set the sewing machine to zigzag, using a short stitch length and a wide zigzag setting.

2. Position the applique patch under the machine foot so the edge of the patch is visible in the center of the foot.

3. Sew in zigzag stitch around the edge of the applique patch so that one side of the stitch goes through the patch and the other side of the zigzag stitch goes through the fabric of the garment.

Tips & Warnings

• Change the look of embroidered applique patches by working the hand or machine embroidery in satin stitch. Do this by hand by working whipstitches directly next to each other, and by machine if your machine has embroidery capabilities.

• Work the embroidery stitches in a contrasting color of embroidery floss to make the stitches stand out as a design feature.