Things You'll Need:
- Thread
- Appliqué needles
- Appliqué pins
- Scissors
- Appliqué design piece
- Background material
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Step 1
Cut out and prepare the pattern piece by turning the material edges under before you sew, or tuck and turn the edge of the fabric under with the side of the needle as you stitch. Position the appliqué piece on the background cloth and secure it with pins.
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Step 2
Choose a thread that blends well with the fabric you are applying. Cut a piece of thread to the desired length, thread the needle and tie the end of the thread with a quilter's knot.
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Step 3
Push the thread through the needle and wrap the thread around the needle three or four times to make a quilter's knot. Press the thread against the needle with your forefinger, pinch the needle with your thumb, push the needle through your pinched finger until you get to the end of your thread and form the knot (see Resources).
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Step 4
Stitch in a left or right direction according to what is most comfortable for you, and bring the thread up from the back of the bottom fabric through the marked line on the piece you are applying. This procedure will allow the knot to show on the back of the material, or you may hide the knot in the folded seam allowance.
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Step 5
Insert the needle into the background material just off the edge of the appliqué and even with the stitch in the applied cloth. Bring the needle back up through the back of the bottom fabric, and catch only a few threads on the edge of the appliqué as the thread moves through the edge of the folded fabric.
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Step 6
Continue the process until you have stitched the entire piece down. Give a little tug on the thread every few stitches to tighten the thread but be cautious not to pucker the material.
