How to Make a Mosaic Applique

A simple leaf looks elegant in mosaic tiles.

A mosaic is a piece of artwork created from small pieces of tile, colored glass, paper, fabric or other materials. The small pieces are arranged to create a picture or pattern. Creating a fabric mosaic is not only a good way to stretch your creative muscles but also an excellent way to go green by using up fabric scraps left over from other sewing projects.

Things You'll Need

• Paper and pencil or pre-made artwork to copy
• Colored pencils, markers or crayons
• Disappearing ink pen
• Background fabric-size depends on how big you want your mosaic applique
• Scraps of fabric
• Paper backed iron on adhesive
• Pencil, ruler and scissors or rotary cutter and mat
• Hot iron
• Threaded sewing machine or hand needle and thread

Instructions

1. 

   Closeup of a mosaic

   Sketch the image you want to create a mosaic out of onto your paper. Break up the image into smaller pieces by drawing lines through various sections and criss-crossing them so your drawing looks cut up. Color your artwork with similar colors to the fabric scraps you've chosen.

2. Redraw your image onto your fabric background with a disappearing ink pen. If your fabric is a light color place your drawing underneath to see if you can trace it onto the fabric.

3. Iron the paper backed iron on adhesive on to the wrong side of your fabric scraps. Leave the paper on the back.

4. Use your original drawing as a guide and cut your paper backed fabric scraps into the size and shapes you need to fill your drawing in.

5. Arrange the cut scraps within your drawing, repositioning until you are happy with your design.

6. Peal the paper backing off each piece, iron in place to the background fabric and let cool.

7. Stitch the mosaic to the background fabric. If this is a quilt block, you will want to assemble the quilt first with the batting and backing before quilting. If you are making a pillow cover or appliqueing your design onto a piece of clothing, you will want to stitch the pieces to that single layer of fabric now.

8. Use a straight or a zigzag stitch very close to the edge to sew your pieces down. The stitch you choose depends on the fabric you've made your mosaic from. Felt, fleece, and jersey won't fray so a simple straight stitch should do. Although the iron-on fabric adhesive does help prevent fraying if you plan to wash the item frequently and are working with cotton or another fraying material, the zigzag stitch is added security.

9. Remove any ink marks per the manufacturer's instructions. Most can be removed by dabbing them with a damp cloth. Others just disappear on their own within a couple days.

References

• "Better Homes and Gardens Stitcher and Crafts" Meredith Corporation; 1966
• "The Encyclopedia of Needlecrafts"; Anness Publishing Limited; 1998