Animal Applique Ideas

Animal applique can be used for a variety of crafts.

Applique is a craft that involves placing one layer of fabric over another and sewing it into place. The result is a layered image of fabric on a fabric background. Applique patterns can then be sewed into quilts, onto hats or clothing, or used on their own for decoration. Animals are particularly good for applique because they allow for simple shapes in a variety of colors.

Bear Applique

Use brown fabric to make a bear pattern. Fuzzy fabric works well. Trace a bear on all fours with legs, a body and a head. Leave it completely brown to make it look like a silhouette. Sewing the pattern onto the front of shirt makes a great piece of clothing for a child.

Animal Silhouette Pillow

Find animal templates on the Internet and print them. Cut the animal shapes out and iron them to different colors of fabric until they stick. Cut the animal shapes from the felt. Place the shapes on a large piece of canvas in a pattern that you like, and use fabric glue to stick them in place. You now have a large piece of animal applique fabric that you can use to make a pillow.

Springtime Baby Jacket

Find chick and egg patterns, print them onto paper and cut them out. Iron the paper onto fabric of the appropriate colors and cut out the shapes. Add eyes to the chick patterns by sewing on a small black circle. Glue or sew the shapes onto a small baby jacket. Try placing the chicks and eggs across the front of the jacket.

Jungle Quilt

Find patterns for jungle animals such as elephants, lions and tigers. Print them and cut them out. Glue them to the appropriately colored fabric. Cut the patterns out of the fabric. Find a dark blue or dark green quilt. Arrange the applique animals in a pattern that looks good, and glue or sew them on.

References

• Quilt: Applique Basics
• FreeApplique: Animal Patterns
• Martha Stewart: Animal Silhouette Pillow
• SecretsOf: Embroidery -- Spring Animal Applique

Resources

• Mother Hen Quilts: Applique Tutorial