Applique Tutorial Machine Embroidery Machines
Appliques are not only fun and super easy, they are an opportunity for you to really get creative by using up pieces of fabric you've kept around. Use Applique to embellish an inexpensive gift or to create something extremely unique very quickly.
Use the tutorial as a tool to help you through your first applique, or come back as often as needed for refresher.
1. Load the Applique Design
The first step is to load the applique design into your embroidery machine. Begin with a simple design as shown and grow into more complicated designs as your skills and confidence grows.
2. Hoop the Finished Material
Next hoop the material your finished design will be on. Be sure to stabilize it just as you would for any kind of embroidery.
3. The Applique's Outline
The outline of the applique stitches first. You can use any thread color you want; it's going to be covered anyway. I tend to use the same color I will end up satin stitching with.
4. Applique Fabric
Place your applique fabric over the outline. You'll need to hold the fabric in place so it doesn't pucker or bunch up on you. You can try a white washable gluestick and rub it in the space where the outline stiched. Then just press the fabric down.
5. 2nd Outline Stitch
The 2nd outline stitch sews out next. This tacks down the applique fabric. The picture shows the red arrow pointing to the outline stitch.
6. Cut Away the Fabric
Remove the hoop from the machine but DON"T UNHOOP the fabric. Cut away the excess fabric from around the outline stitch. Get close to the stitches, but try not to cut the outline.
7. A Little More Trimming
After most of the fabric is cut away it's easy to trim off the stray pieces.
8. Final Stitches
Put the hoop back into the machine and push the button.
9. 2 Sets of Stitches
Your machine will now run a tack down stitch around the patter. (The yellow arrow.) it's usually a zig-zag stitch or an E stitch and is like a double check in case you cut a stitch or two while trimming. Then the final satin stitch is applied, putting the finishing touch on your applique (The blue arrow.)
On more detailed applique designs (those with multiple fabric pieces) the 1st and 2nd outline stitch and the first tackdown stitch will complete on all fabric pieces prior to the satin stitching process.
Ready to Applique Now? |
