How to Applique a Rag Flower

Applique rag flowers to plain and boring fabric surfaces using fabric scraps you have saved from previous projects. Inexpensive clothing, towels, tote bags or other fabric items can be turned into inexpensive gifts or customized home decor accessories by attaching flower appliques that coordinate with the fabric surfaces. Rag applique is a quick technique that leaves the raw edges of the applique exposed, allowing the edges to fray naturally or with the added friction of rubbing or washing.

Things You'll Need

• Lightweight cardboard
• Compass
• Scissors
• Fabric scraps
• Ink pen
• Fabric item to embellish
• Washable school stick glue
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Trace a 3-inch and a 2-inch circle on lightweight cardboard using a compass. Cut out each circle. These are the outer and center patterns for a rag flower.

2. Lay two coordinating scraps of cotton fabric on your work surface with the wrong sides facing up. Place one circle pattern on each scrap. Trace around the patterns using an ink pen. Cut out each fabric circle.

3. Lay the fabric item you are appliqueing your flower to on your work surface. Place the flower circles on your work surface with the wrong sides facing up. Apply washable school stick glue to the backs of the circles. Place the large circle on the fabric item with the right side facing up. Position the smaller circle in the center with the right side facing up. Press the circles with your fingers to adhere. The glue will hold the flower shape in place while appliqued.

4. Machine-stitch (applique) the large flower circle to your fabric item 1/4 inch from the edge. Repeat with the smaller center circle. Using your fingers, rub and lift the glued edges of the circles to give the flower a raggedy edge.

Tips & Warnings

• Test your fabric for its fraying potential before you use it. Snip an edge with scissors. Grab the snipped edge and rip. If the ripped edge does not have a thready raggedy edge, it will not make a good appliqued rag flower.

• A more defined cookie cutter flower shape or another flower image can be substituted for the circle patterns.

• For an added embellishment, add a button to the flower's center.

• If the item you have attached the rag flower to is washable, the flower edges will fray further.