How to Create Appliques With an Embroidery Machine

Some machine appliques use a zigzag stitch to finish edges.

One of the advantages of owning an embroidery machine is that you can also use it to create appliques. Applique items have proven to be popular over the years among people of all ages. You see applique designs on infants and childrens clothing as well as on adult clothing. For college students, applique is a popular technique used to create Greek letter shirts for fraternities and sororities. To use your embroidery machine to create appliques, you will need embroidery files designed specifically for applique projects.

Things You'll Need

• Item to be appliqued
• Design to be appliqued
• Fabric for applique
• Selected embroidery threads
• Embroidery or applique scissors

Instructions

Prepare the Embroidery Machine

1. Perform pre-use maintenance on your machine, such as dusting and oiling, according to its operating manual.

2. Thread the machine with your selected embroidery thread.

3. Turn on the machine and upload the selected applique design.

4. Edit the size of the applique design as needed, following your machine's specific instructions.

5. Set the design and prepare the item to be appliqued.

Time To Applique

1. "Hoop" the item to be appliqued using the embroidery hoop or frame that is right for your particular machine. Be sure the item is taut within the hoop/frame.

2. Attach the hoop/frame to the embroidery machine, following your machine's specific directions.

3. Lay the applique fabric on top of the hooped item. The fabric should lie flat against the hooped item, preferably within the area of the hoop/frame.

4. Push the start button on your machine. Depending on the applique, most run a basting stitch to keep the fabric in place. Others skip straight to the final applique. Check the design for specific instructions.

5. Remove the hoop/frame when the embroidery machine stops, but do not remove the fabric. While it remains in the hoop, gently trim around the outside of the stitches just made. Trim as close to the stitching as possible. If this is a basting stitch, do not worry if a stitch or two gets clipped. If it is the final applique, you will need to re-stitch.

6. If the first stitches were just for basting, return the hoop/framed item to the machine and press the start button to complete the final phase of the applique.

7. Remove the hoop/frame when the final stitching phase is completed. Before removing the hooped item, check to make sure all stitches are intact. If not, simply return the hooped item back to the machine and re-stitch the final phase again for additional support.

Tips & Warnings

• If working with a cotton item to be appliqued and a cotton fabric, use a fusible webbing product and heat-fuse the applique for additional stability. ("Fusible" webbing is made to attach via an adhesive to the back of the fabric without sewing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for this process.)

• There is no need to use additional stabilizer when doing most appliques. The applique itself performs that stabilizing function.

• If you notice a little fraying around the edges of your applique, run a thin line of anti-fray liquid around the edges. This can be found in most craft and fabric stores.

• Do not use regular sewing shears to trim the applique. They are difficult to maneuver within embroidery hoops/frames and do not allow for very close cutting.

• When trimming the applique fabric, be very gentle so as not to shift the hooped item.

Resources

• Embroidery Library Projects: Techniques and Tips