Applique

The other day I was sitting around and decided I wanted a flannel throw that was cream colored, with applique flying birds in an awesome print. I drew out the birds I wanted, but without the flannel yet in my possession I had to come up with a plan B to try out my applique skills. So I made a baby blanket 🙂

That’s not the best picture– I’m going to take more tomorrow in the day time.

Anyways for the applique there are a variety of methods, two of which I will explain here. If you look at the picture, you can see the bird has an outline about a quarter inch in from the outside of the shape. The elephant does not. The bird is for method 1, the elephant for method 2. For either method you will need:

Fabric
Fusible interfacing
Needle (either contrasting or matching, depending on your preference)
Thread
Workspace that allows you to spread out

Bottle of wine (optional)
Good movie or TV series on Netflix (optional)
Someone to provide backrubs (optional)

Method 1:
1) Draw out your shape to the exact size you want it. Then trace the outline of your shape about 1/4 inch outwards from what you just drew, and then cut out your shape along the exterior line (like the bird!). The interior line is now your stitch line.
2) Trace your shape onto the RIGHT side of your fabric.
3) Trace your shape onto the NON-FUSIBLE side of your fusible interfacing.
4) Cut out both shapes, and pin together with your fabric on top (right side facing down), and interfacing on bottom, fusible side facing up. Don’t get quick with your iron at this step– now is not when we adhere the interfacing!
5) Stitch your fabric and interfacing together, all the way around, along the stitch line you drew earlier. This can be done by machine or by hand, whichever is faster and easier for you. Clip your curves, if necessary.
6) Cut a slit in the interfacing, somewhere near the center of your shape (this will be your turning hole), and turn it out. Finger press, if you want, to help flatten it.
7) Position your shape onto whatever you are applying it to (the sticky side of your interfacing should now be facing down, ready to be attached to your finished product), and iron away according to the instructions on your interfacing.
8) Now that your shape is firmly attached and in place, sew around the edges. Note, if you want your stitching to be visible, an edge stitch is appropriate. If you are looking for an invisible stitch, make sure you use a thread that matches your applique fabric, and use a ladder stitch to sew all the way around. The ladder stitch is especially perfect when you’re working with minky because minky so easily hides thread.

Method 2:
If your applique shape has a lot of curves, kinks, points, sharp corners, etc. this method might be more appropriate.

1) Draw your shape to exact size you want it. Cut it out.
2) Trace your shape onto the FUSIBLE side of your interfacing.
3) Fuse your interfacing to the wrong side of your fabric, and then cut around it, leaving about 1/4 inch of fabric around your interfacing. I’ll call this excess your “overhang”.
4) Clip or notch your fabric as necessary. Don’t skip this step, or your curves will be straight!
5) Pin your shape, interfacing side down, to your base fabric. Be generous with your pins, it helps keep everything in place.
6) User your needle or your finger tip to fold the first section of your clipped overhang under the interfacing. Your crease should be at the edge of your interfacing.
7) Begin your ladder stitching. Every few stitches, use your needle or finger tip to check your overhang. It should be completely folded under, without causing any of the interfaced part to fold as well.
8) Work your way all the way around, removing or adding pins as necessary.