How to Hand Applique
Choose a shape you want to applique onto another piece of fabric., Trace the design onto a square of freezer paper., Heat up your iron on a medium setting., Draw around the freezer paper shape, leaving a one-fourth inch (0.6cm) allowance outside of...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose a shape you want to applique onto another piece of fabric.
You can trace a pattern from a book or purchase a plastic shape from a craft store.
Try a simple, curved shape for your first hand-turned applique. -
Step 2: Trace the design onto a square of freezer paper.
Lay the shiny side face down on the shape and draw onto it with pencil.
Cut the shape out of the freezer paper with paper scissors. , Smooth your piece of applique fabric onto the top of the ironing board, with the front of the fabric facing up.
Set the freezer paper template on the fabric with the shiny side down.
Iron the freezer paper onto the fabric.
The shiny side will lightly adhere to the fabric so that you can cut the fabric out to shape., This is the fabric you will turn under while you sew the applique onto the main piece of fabric.
Use cotton fabric for your first applique.
It is thin and easy to hand-turn. , Later on, if you use applique patterns with several pieces, you will want to adhere them with freezer paper, outline them and cut them all at once to ensure your fabric pattern matches up., cotton thread for stitching your applique.
Ensure the thread matches the fabric on your applique piece.
It does not need to match the fabric underneath. , The best time to applique is when your fabric is still a single layer, before you construct a garment.
It will ensure your stitches are hidden in the final product. , Choose the position for your applique motif.
Pin through the applique and the freezer paper with applique pins.
Use applique pins every half-inch to inch (1.3 to
2.5cm) to ensure it stays still while you sew.
Your freezer paper will serve as a guide while you sew.
You will want to turn the fabric under until the fabric is flush with the side of the freezer paper. , Use twice as much thread as the area you want to sew.
Loop the end several times at the bottom and double or triple knot it. , Most people hand applique when they are sitting in a chair.
You can easily lay your fabric on your lap and turn it with your hands as you make progress.
Use a thimble to reduce the wear on your hands. ,,, Place your stitches one-eighth inch (3mm) apart.A slip-stitch is also called a blind stitch because it is hidden in the between two folds of fabric. , Insert it one-eighth inch into the fabric.
Pick up just a few threads with your needle as you make a forward stitch and pull the thread through.
When doing hand applique, you aim to insert the needle at the edge of where your freezer paper is, so that the outside fabric is turned in as you stitch. , Use a toothpick or stiletto for turning edges to help turn the fabric outside of the paper under the paper outline., Take your time so that you ensure your allowance is neatly turned under your shape.
Make your stitches as close as possible around corners. , Knot the end of the thread and clip it.
Pull off your freezer paper. -
Step 3: Heat up your iron on a medium setting.
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Step 4: Draw around the freezer paper shape
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Step 5: leaving a one-fourth inch (0.6cm) allowance outside of the shape.
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Step 6: Cut along the outline you just drew with your sharp fabric scissors.
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Step 7: Purchase 60 wt.
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Step 8: Ready your main fabric
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Step 9: such as a pillowcase
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Step 10: bag or piece of clothing.
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Step 11: Smooth out your fabric.
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Step 12: Thread your sewing needle with a medium to long piece of cotton thread.
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Step 13: Get comfortable.
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Step 14: Anchor your thread to your fabric by inserting the needle through the bottom of the fabric and pulling it taut.
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Step 15: Start on a curved edge of the applique shape
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Step 16: instead of at the edges.
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Step 17: Use a slip stitch to turn the fabric under.
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Step 18: Hold your needle parallel to the fabric so you keep your stitches small.
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Step 19: Return your stitch backwards along the line of the freezer paper a few millimeters.
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Step 20: Repeat as you go around your applique.
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Step 21: Knot the thread when you finish and reach the point at which you started.
Detailed Guide
You can trace a pattern from a book or purchase a plastic shape from a craft store.
Try a simple, curved shape for your first hand-turned applique.
Lay the shiny side face down on the shape and draw onto it with pencil.
Cut the shape out of the freezer paper with paper scissors. , Smooth your piece of applique fabric onto the top of the ironing board, with the front of the fabric facing up.
Set the freezer paper template on the fabric with the shiny side down.
Iron the freezer paper onto the fabric.
The shiny side will lightly adhere to the fabric so that you can cut the fabric out to shape., This is the fabric you will turn under while you sew the applique onto the main piece of fabric.
Use cotton fabric for your first applique.
It is thin and easy to hand-turn. , Later on, if you use applique patterns with several pieces, you will want to adhere them with freezer paper, outline them and cut them all at once to ensure your fabric pattern matches up., cotton thread for stitching your applique.
Ensure the thread matches the fabric on your applique piece.
It does not need to match the fabric underneath. , The best time to applique is when your fabric is still a single layer, before you construct a garment.
It will ensure your stitches are hidden in the final product. , Choose the position for your applique motif.
Pin through the applique and the freezer paper with applique pins.
Use applique pins every half-inch to inch (1.3 to
2.5cm) to ensure it stays still while you sew.
Your freezer paper will serve as a guide while you sew.
You will want to turn the fabric under until the fabric is flush with the side of the freezer paper. , Use twice as much thread as the area you want to sew.
Loop the end several times at the bottom and double or triple knot it. , Most people hand applique when they are sitting in a chair.
You can easily lay your fabric on your lap and turn it with your hands as you make progress.
Use a thimble to reduce the wear on your hands. ,,, Place your stitches one-eighth inch (3mm) apart.A slip-stitch is also called a blind stitch because it is hidden in the between two folds of fabric. , Insert it one-eighth inch into the fabric.
Pick up just a few threads with your needle as you make a forward stitch and pull the thread through.
When doing hand applique, you aim to insert the needle at the edge of where your freezer paper is, so that the outside fabric is turned in as you stitch. , Use a toothpick or stiletto for turning edges to help turn the fabric outside of the paper under the paper outline., Take your time so that you ensure your allowance is neatly turned under your shape.
Make your stitches as close as possible around corners. , Knot the end of the thread and clip it.
Pull off your freezer paper.
About the Author
Jennifer Sanchez
A passionate writer with expertise in cooking topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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