Applique Tutorial

What you'll need:

• Background fabric (Something quite plain so your applique will be clear)
• Fabric for applique (This can be more patterned)
• Fusible web
• Co-ordinating thread (I usually go slightly darker than my applique fabric to create a strong outline, but you can blend with your fabric so mistakes are less visible!)
• Template (Draw your own or print a picture from the internet. Remember you will have to sew around this so keep it simple! Another reason to keep it simple is so that it is easily recognisable from an outline.)
• Basic sewing supplies (Sewing machine, scissors, pencil, pins, iron)

Template tips

1. Once you have chosen your template, trace the outline onto the paper side of your fusible web (remember your image will be reversed). Then trim roughly around the outline. Iron the fusible web onto the wrong side of your applique fabric (the rough side of the fusible web is the adhesive side). Cut your shape out, peel the paper off the back, place it on your background fabric and iron it in place.

2. You have a few choices when it comes to selecting a stitch. You can use straight stitch to stitch around the shape (about 2mm  from the edge, inside the shape)to get a messier look as the raw edge is still visible. You can use a zig zag stitch so the needle drops equally on either side of the raw edge (you can adjust your stitch length so it is very small so that the raw edge is completely sealed under the stitch), or you can use a blanket stitch, which is what I've gone for. Blanket stitch gives a neater finish as the raw edge is sealed in the stitch.

3. I have chosen a slightly brighter thread than the colour of my fabric so it gives the shape a bolder outline. When using blanket stitch, try to keep the straight line part of the stitch perfectly in line with the raw edge of your shape. When sewing curves, make sure that your machine has finished one full stitch and your needle is back on the raw edge of the fabric. Then make sure your needle is in the down position, raise the presser foot and pivot the fabric. 

You can adjust the size of the stitch according to the size of the shape by altering the stitch width and length. I made the stitch length and width smaller when I was going around the paws and tail of the dog to get a neater finish. Try a practice piece first - blanket stitches are different on each machine! 

To secure your threads, either do a couple of back stitches at the beginning and end, or thread your top threads into a needle, take them to the back of your fabric, tie them in a not and trim.

Finished!