Hand applique using blanket stitch and Tailor's buttonhole stitch.
Blanket stitch is a fantastic edge stitch for sewing around felt and fabric. It is widely used in hand stitching and very popular but also t...
Learn how to do a stitch known as the hidden slip stitch, which is the perfect stitch to use when sewing bindings or doing hand applique.
I used to struggle with applique; I’d be holding and pinning tiny shapes to fabric and trying to stitch them in place with great frustration. Then I discovered the secret element of using an …
In the last post, we went over stitches to use for a basic hem. But some garments and some fabrics require a narrow hem. Really narrow, like ⅛” or 3mm. The best way to sew a narrow hem? That depen…
Learn to do Needle turn appliqué,a hand sewing technique used in quilting and fabric crafts to attach fabric shapes to a background fabric while hiding the stitches for a clean and seamless appearance.
machine finished hand applique workshop
Learn a fun new hand stitching tip that makes accurately spacing your hand stitches quick and easy.
If you’re still tying a knot in your thread to start your hand stitching, today’s tip will change the way you sew forever. Seriously. I used to knot my thread, and it made me crazy th…
Hello everyone! I’m back today and sharing a little bit about Free Motion Applique. I’ve done some lately for a recent tour which you can read about over on my blog here, and Kennis asked me to share about FMA as it was a new-to-her skill. Just to make things fun, I’m sharing a free […]
Jazz up your next sewing project with reverse applique. Learn how to cut a freezer paper stencil for reverse applique + how to do applique by hand, machine.
Need an invisible stitch? The blind stitch can be used to applique, attach bindings, and hem. Learn how to sew the blind stitch by hand using picture and video tutorials.
Pattern Center Transform your home with these lovely crochet fall decor ideas. Zero waste seasonal decorations change.
I actually really LOVE the art of appliqué! Even though I don't use it that much (practically never) but I do love seeing others' works on the Internet and appreciate the artistry so much :) My October project that I've mentioned earlier in this post is also appliqué-friendly and, personally, I'm going to experiment a little in this field! So I thought if anyone wants to try the same I should tell a bit more about the methods of applique in advance. Method 1 So, the first thing you should remember is that the majority of fabrics tend to fray on the edge. And because of this, if you just simply baste a cutout to the ground fabric, eventually it will fray quite a lot even if at first it doesn't look like it. However, sometimes this kind of ragged and frazzled edge might be the desired effect! Especially, for enthusiasts of rustic style. In such cases, this method is what you need. And, basically, all you need to do is just work back stitch along the whole shape, stepping a little away from the edge. Make your stitches rather small so that all of the fibers are secured. I'm using quilting cotton in this example and it doesn't really fray that much – I frayed it myself for this picture as well as I could. However, if you use linen, for example, it is likely to fray a lot easier and the fibers might pull apart right in front of the stitches. In this case, your back stitching should be even smaller. Method 2 If you don't want the edges to fray, you can work buttonhole (blanket) stitch around the shape. You can work it more densely, of course, like I did in one of the examples in this post. By the way, I'm using a thread of contrasting color for all of the appliqué methods in this article to make it more clear. Naturally, you can use thread of a color similar to the appliqué cutout if you don't want it to stand out too much. Ah, and this method is commonly used in felt applique! Method 3 Now, if you don't want any fraying to take place but also don't want to work a border of buttonhole stitch around it, you can use a fusible interfacing! :) Instructions are easy: 1) cut a piece of interfacing material equal to the piece of fabric you want to apply it too, 2) interfacing material has two sides, one of which is adhesive. Put the interfacing piece with the adhesive side up, and lay the fabric piece on top of it, with its backside down and face up. In conclusion, the adhesive side should be next to the backside of the fabric. 3) iron it thoroughly (settings of heat are according to the type of fabric) staying for several seconds in one place. When you have applied interfacing with the fabric, cut the shape out of it. The thing is, the fibers are now glued from underneath so they are going to hold together and are very unlikely to fray. It is almost like paper. Well, unless you expose it some rough tugging like in a washing machine or if you use it on everyday clothes So, what you will do now will depend on your artistic choice. If you want it to look raw like it is, you can baste it down with tiny running stitches of similar color. Or you can use any decorative stitch, you can find many on the Stitch Library. I used french knots here :) Method 4 This one is likely to look a bit more dimensional, but there is like 0 chances for any fraying to happen. And again, we need interfacing material (it will give a certain advantage but actually you can use another fabric, I will mention it below). BUT we need to put fabric and interfacing material in a different manner now! So, what we do is we put fabric face up, and then we lay interfacing material with adhesive side down. So, the face of the fabric and the adhesive side are supposed to be looking at each other. Then you can draw the shape down and backs titch along the edge. Cut the shape out with a seam allowance and cut a slit in the interfacing material. The turn it out. Now you have a shape like this – face of the fabric up and adhesive side down. You can now place it where you need on the ground fabric and iron it down. If you want to secure it even better, you can stitch a border of buttonhole stitch again, or baste it down in any other way. Or you can work invisible stitch like I did in this example. Like I mentioned, this method can be used with a different fabric instead of interfacing material. Just skip the ironing part and baste the piece down in the way you prefer the most :) So, here are 4 methods for your fabric appliqué! As for me, methods 2 and 3 are what I'm more likely to use but in the end, it all depends on the situation. Hope you find the method you of your liking too and try some appliqué in your next project! :)
Learn a fun new hand stitching tip that makes accurately spacing your hand stitches quick and easy.
A great how to for beginning sewers who want to learn how to applique using their sewing machine! Check out the step by step instructions. Pictures included!
This is seriously a wonderful tutorial!! I couldn't help myself to showing it off to everyone out there. I don't do needle turn applique--not sure if I ever will, but that is besides the point. It is a great tutorial, and she is one of the designers for Patchwork Posse Premium members. So read on and go visit her blog for some more great stuff!!! Love her stuff. Chitter Chatter Designs - by Corrie
Years ago, I wrote a series of articles on hand embroidered writing. The articles take you step-by-step through different embroidery stitches that work well for embroidered writing. Today, we’re going to add a stitch to that list – particularly, a stitch known today as the “Quaker Stitch” because it was formulated to work as the ...
A month ago, I was in the "Never! You couldn't pay me!" camp regarding turned-edge appliqué. Too slow, too fiddly and too unsuccessful. Life is too short! But things have changed..... and I actually enjoy turned-edge appliqué now. Would you like to try my method?
Learn how to applique by hand using Wonder Under or Heat 'n Bond to make pretty embroidery hoops or other projects. Step by step video.
Learn different ways to do quilt applique, including machine and hand stitch applique, and use products like template plastic, fusible web and interfacing.
Hand quilting is the technique of sewing together the three layers of a quilt (batting between two layers of fabric) in a decorative freehand stitch.
If you been looking to try out hand quilting but don’t know where to start, this is for you! Check out these quilting tutorials for hand quilted…
Learn how to Whip stitch. This stitch is a popular method for hand sewing seams and applique for sewing, crochet and knitting.
A detailed step by step guide with illustrations and infographics for turned edge applique using paper backed fussible web.
With a few simple steps and some advice from the experts, you can take the stress out of fusible appliqué and enjoy happy stitching.
How I learnt to Applique When I first started to sew I answered an add on a local notice board for someone requiring help with their sewing...
Basic hand sewing skills are necessary for some sewing projects. Through pictures and video tutorials, beginners can learn basic hand sewing techniques.
A great how to for beginning sewers who want to learn how to applique using their sewing machine! Check out the step by step instructions. Pictures included!
Also known as: bullion stitch, caterpillar stitch, coil stitch, knot stitch, post stitch, worm stitch, Puerto Rico rose, grub knot This is an interesting stitch used to make simple motifs. I would say that this is an ‘elongated’ knot which can be...
Here's a delightful DIY tutorial. Learn how to applique a pillow! Use a custom message, a favorite word, or a monogram.
A round up of free applique patterns, to be used for hand and machine applique, for boys and girls.
Learn how to crochet a quick & easy flower applique in 3 sizes. Perfect little flower embellishments for hats, blankets, Amigurumi...
Appliques are a unique and beautiful way to add a little pizzazz to any project you’re working on, but if you’re wondering how to apply an applique with a sewing machine correctly, not to worry because it is much easier than you think. At one time, sewers thought the only way to get an applique […] Read more...
If you been looking to try out hand quilting but don’t know where to start, this is for you! Check out these quilting tutorials for hand quilted…
A great how to for beginning sewers who want to learn how to applique using their sewing machine! Check out the step by step instructions. Pictures included!
This video provides tips and techniques for drawing with your sewing machine. Watch and learn how to incorporate free motion drawing into your next project.
Appliques are a unique and beautiful way to add a little pizzazz to any project you’re working on, but if you’re wondering how to apply an applique with a sewing machine correctly, not to worry because it is much easier than you think. At one time, sewers thought the only way to get an applique […] Read more...
Learn how to start hand stitching without a knot at the end of your thread creating a neater, smoother finish. You can use this for any hand stitching.
Here are 7 essential hand embroidery knots you should know.
Over the past few years I've been hand sewing much more. Machine sewing is fast and professional-looking, but these days I often prefer sewing by hand for its slow, meditative quality. It's relaxing and also portable, meaning I can work on it wherever I go. Today I'm focusing on one of my favorite hand stitches
INSIDE: The best tips for sewing felt for beginners, from what needle for sewing felt, what thread, to how to cut felt and how to wash felt. For a while, you've been planning to start a new sewing project using felt. You've been gathering materials, colorful felt sheets and matching thread. You've gathered enough inspiration,
