How to Applique Knit Fabric / Make a Boutique Applique T-Shirt
An applique is a piece of fabric or trim applied to a garment for design purposes. Lace, ribbon, a separate embroidery or another piece of fabric can be added to the front or back of an existing garment. Usually, an applique is sewn on using a machine zig-zag which holds the applique in place. When applying an applique to a knit shirt, it's best to add a temporary backing to the knit to prevent stretching.
Things You'll Need
- Piece of tracing paper
- Knit shirt
- Applique fabric or lace
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Scissors
Instructions
-
-
1
Place the knit t-shirt on a table or flat surface. Isolate the area that you would like the applique by tucking the fabric above the area, leaving the underside of the fabric clear.
-
2
Cut the fabric to be the shape and size of the desired applique. If the fabric is lace, cut the motif out, trimming the netting away.
-
-
3
Place the piece of fabric to be appliqued on the shirt.
-
4
Place the piece of paper on the shirt behind the applique, covering the applique completely. Use more than one if necessary.
-
5
Put the fabric, applique and paper together under the sewing machine.
-
6
Sew the applique to the fabric using the zig zag stitch. Sew just the edge of the applique, the zig zag stitch split; half on the applique and half on the fabric. You will be covering the edge of the applique completely with your stitching. Follow the edge of the applique exactly, lifting the foot and re-positioning the needle as needed.
-
7
Rip the paper off of the fabric.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jenny Acheson/Stockbyte/Getty Images
