How to Use Applique Transfers

One of the simplest ways to add appliques to an outfit, costume, hat or bag is to use iron-ons. Fabric stores often have a wide variety of applique transfers, from cartoon characters and animals to hearts, flowers, fruits and letters. You can even find poodles for poodle skirts. The iron-on should come with directions for the exact temperature and pressing time needed. In addition to an iron, you may also need a press cloth. This is a simple square of thin cotton, such as a large handkerchief or scrap of fabric, that protects the fabric from scorching while you press it. Some appliques can also be sewn on for extra durability, especially if the item will go through the wash.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• clothing or fabric
• applique
• iron
• ironing board
• press cloth
• straight pins (optional)
• sewing machine (optional)
• thread (optional)
• scissors (optional)

How to Iron On an Applique

1. Preheat the iron to the appropriate temperature. (Most appliques use a hot setting, such as the one for cotton.)

2. Place the fabric on an ironing board with the right side facing up.

3. Smooth out any wrinkles in the fabric. (If possible, place the fabric on the board so that you’ll only be ironing one layer. If this is not possible, be sure both layers of fabric as smooth.)

4. Peel off the removable backing paper on the applique, if any. (Backing paper is usually white. Do not remove any clear coating on the back of the applique, as this is what fuses it to the fabric.)

5. Position the applique right side up on the fabric.

6. Cover the applique area with the press cloth.

7. Place the iron over the applique, then press down and hold the iron in place for about 30-40 seconds. Do not move the iron back and forth.

8. If the applique is larger than the iron, repeat steps 6 and 7 for other areas of the applique as needed.

9. Gently remove the press cloth. Turn off the iron.

How to Sew on an Applique

10. Follow the iron on instructions above to hold the applique in place, if desired. Otherwise, pin the applique to the fabric.

11. Set the sewing machine to a zig-zag stitch, if available.

12. Set the stitch length to about half the normal length. For example, if the sewing machine has settings from 1 to 4 and 2 is average, set the stitch length to 1.

13. Set the sewing machine speed to slow, if it has a speed control. This will make going around the small curves of the applique easier.

14. Zig-zag stitch around the edges of the applique, so that the stitches overlap the edges of the applique. If your machine doesn’t have a zig-zag stitch, sew on top of the applique, as close to the edges of the applique as possible.

15. Clip off the ends of the threads.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to follow any instructions that came with the iron-on applique.
• Do not use steam while ironing on appliques.
• Use caution when working with irons and sewing machines.