How to Add Appliqué to Fabric Using an Appliqué Stitch

Machine appliqué is a great way to embellish not only quilts, but almost anything you can think of, including shirts, jeans, curtains, pillowcases, tablecloths and towels. It is a fun sewing technique that can be easily mastered with a little practice.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Appliqué design, cut from contrasting fabric
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Needle

1. Place the appliqué on the desired place on the fabric. Attach the piece by hand with a basting stitch or whip stitch, turning under the edge approximately 1/8 inch as you go.

2. Set your sewing machine to a satin stitch or a wide zigzag and a very small stitch length. The fabric should barely move, but if the stitches aren't moving at all because they're too tight, make the stitches a bit bigger.

3. Start sewing with the sewing machine foot half way on the fabric and the needle near the edge closest to you.

4. Turn corners by stitching until the thread is at the edge of the fabric. Put the needle down at the corner with the pressure foot up and pivot the fabric. Once you've pivoted, put the foot back down and continue sewing.

5. Appliqué around curves by sewing very slowly, turning the fabric gradually as you stitch.

6. Stitch until you reach your starting point. Overlap for a few stitches and then reverse for a few stitches to anchor the thread. Clip the threads, and your aappliqué is finished.

Tips & Warnings

• It's a good idea to experiment with scraps of the fabric you'll be using, to be sure the stitches are the best width and length.
• Once you find the best stitch width and length, make a note of it. This will save time on your next project.