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Happy Sewing Month! I was going to write a fun historical fact about sewing, but nothing was really all that…fun. Sewing? Awesome. History of sewing? Snooze-fest.
- A tshirt, onesie, or whatever fabric you’re going to put the applique on
- Fabric(s) to create your applique
- Wonder Under or other fusible adhesive paper (like Fuse2Fuse or Heat N Bond, but I like Wonder Under)
- Lightweight fusible webbing
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I’ll demonstrate a stacked applique. First layer is the background. Iron. |
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Add the body. Iron. |
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I add more body parts, which gives the applique a lot of depth. Iron again! |
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Last things, eyes, beak, brown wings. Iron again. |
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I also like to use #5 and #8 (zigzag.) Sometimes I use a plain stitch, for more detailed appliques, like the White Tree Onesie. |
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Clip all your threads (remember the ones on the inside!) You’re done! |
P.S. Do you want to applique this owl? You can purchase the applique kit HERE
P.P.S. I have just added new templates to the Templates page!
I love this! So cute! I've only done a few appliques (not stacked) and I've never even used the applique stitch. I just recently got a machine that actually offers more than 2 stitches so I can't wait to try this again! I'm sure it's going to look so much better than the appliques I've done in the past! Thanks for sharing!
I love your tutorial and tips! Could you recommend a good first sewing machine to me? I want to purchase one but don't know where to start.
Thanks!
Tara
I have a Janome Magnolia, which is probably an average choice as far as price is concerned (not too cheap, not too pricey.) I actually just got it this year and LOVE it…it has never given me any problems whereas my old one (a Kenmore) broke down every time I looked at it funny. I love Janomes and hear they rarely ever need repairing, which is a huge bonus for me (having spent tons of $$ fixing my Kenmore.)
But I have heard that most Brothers and Singers are good reliable machines. If you think you are going to be doing more than a little sewing, I would get an electronic machine instead of the basic $100 ones that do the job but are very…well, basic. You should also purchase your machine at a sewing machine store because you can often get really good deals as well as benefits (like a perks card or free repairs for a year or whatever) and you have a wider selection. Good luck! Let me know what you purchase!
Thank you so much! I got my first sewing machine recently and this looks like something I could potentially tackle!
I have a question….what kind of "lightweight fusible webbing" do you use for the backing? I used wonder under for mine, and once it tore away it left a sticky residue. I covered it with a scrap of fabric since it was on the inside of a garment and no one would see it anyway, but I was wondering what else I could use to avoid this next time. Thanks!!!!
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I just got a sewing machine for Christmas and was anxious to try and applique with it. I chose a penguin for my first go round and thought it was pretty basic until I got to the tight curves and small eyes. Any suggestions for circles and ovals and sewing in a circle? Should I adjust the stitch width or length or use the same as the rest of the body? Thanks for the help!