How to Make an Apple Appliqué
Appliqué is a simple decorative technique that can add big impact to your sewing projects. There are many kinds of appliqué and many methods for applying it, but a simple and accessible method for beginners is hand-stitching felt appliques with running stitch. Creating an apple design and stitching it to a shirt, bag or any other fabric background is an easy and inexpensive way to embellish your project.
Things You'll Need
- Fabric or garment to be appliquéd
- Felt in red, green and brown
- White glue or glue stick
- Embroidery floss
- Embroidery needle
Instructions
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1
Wash and dry the fabric or garment you will be appliquéing. If necessary, iron it and allow it to cool.
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2
Draw or trace an apple design onto scratch paper. If you have trouble drawing freehand, download a piece of apple clipart and print it out in the size you want.
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3
Trace over each element of the design separately on a fresh piece of scratch paper. You will probably have three pieces to trace: the apple itself, the stem and the leaf.
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4
Cut out the traced paper pieces and transfer them to felt. Trace and cut out your felt design pieces.
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5
Lay the felt pieces on the background fabric or garment to be appliquéd, adjusting them until you're satisfied with the way they look. Remove the stem and leaf piece and use a few drops of white glue or a glue stick on the back of the apple piece to lightly adhere it to the background fabric.
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6
Thread an embroidery needle with floss and stitch the felt to the ground fabric with a small, even line of running stitch around the outside of the apple. Leave about 1/4 inch between the stitches and the edge of the felt.
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7
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 for the stem and leaf pieces of the design.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When laundering a garment that has a felt appliqué on it, turn it inside out before putting it in the washing machine to prevent the felt from warping or pilling. Dry on low heat.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
