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How to Create Appliques

Appliqués are patches of fabric used to decorate quilts, clothing and accessories. You can buy appliqués, but to get just the look you want, you’ll need to create your own. Simple appliqués such as hearts, are the easiest to make. In general, you’ll want to use the same type of fabric for the appliqué as the fabric it will be attached to. To attach the appliqués to the fabric, you may want to use fusible web. This iron-on product will hold the appliqué to the fabric and help seal the edges while you sew it in place. Some fusible web is strong enough to be no-sew. This type of web works best for projects that won’t go through the wash too often.

Things You'll Need

Scraps of colored fabric
Matching thread
Fusible web (optional)
Scissors
Iron
Ironing board
Straight pins
Sewing machine

Instructions

Create Appliqués
- 1
  Cut a piece of colored fabric the size and shape you want the appliqué. Cut a piece of fusible web (optional) the same size and shape.
- 2
  Place the appliqué right side down on the ironing board. Position the fusible web on top of the appliqué, paper side up, and line up the edges.
- 3
  Iron the fusible web to the appliqué using a hot temperature setting, such as the one for cotton, or the iron setting recommended by the fusible web instructions. Let the fusible web cool, then carefully peel off the paper backing.
- 4
  Position the appliqué right side up on the fabric. Iron the appliqué to the fabric.
- 5
  Set your sewing machine to a zigzag stitch. Set the machine speed to slow, if possible.
- 6
  Sew around the edges of the appliqué using matching thread, making sure the zigzag stitches overlap the edges of the appliqué. This will help keep the edges of the appliqué from raveling.

Sewing