How to Run Stitch for Appliqué

Appliqué is a great way to stitch a quilt block. It is also a wonderful way to add embellishments to different craft projects you're working on. There are different ways to appliqué, but the running stitch is the most common. To appliqué, you must stitch a design on top of your background fabric. Many times appliqué is part of a larger project such as a quilt, but stitched appliqué is great on many fabric craft items.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Appliqué design
• Needle
• Thread
• Scissors

1. Trace your design on the back of the background fabric. There are many pencils and chalk products that are available specifically for this purpose. You can also place your piece to appliqué on the top of your fabric and do a running stitch all the way around it.

2. Use a heavy thread and needle to do a running stitch on either the traced line or on top of the piece to be appliquéd. Put the needle under and over the fabric. Do several stitches at a time and then pull all the way through.

3. Continue doing the running stitch following the pattern all the way around the design. For best result, make the stitches as small as possible and as close to the same size as possible.

4. Make a knot at the back of the design when you have come to the end. Tie the knot tightly, but be careful of puckering the fabric, which will ruin the piece you've been working on.