I love using appliques in my sewing projects.  I’ll put them on skirts, bags, shirts, you name it.  There are many ways to make appliques, but this is by far my favorite.

Materials Needed

-Steam-A-Seam 2 (There are different types of fusible webbing, but this is my favorite)

-Fabric for applique

-Fabric, an article of clothing, or anything else for the applique to attach to (in this case I am using a skirt)

Directions

1.  Peel apart a little of the corner of Steam-A-Seam 2.  The side of paper that the webbing sticks to is the side you will draw on.  Draw your design on the paper in reverse (this is important!).  This cute little birdie was drawn by my hubby, Chalkdust.

2.  Remover the paper liner that is not drawn on and discard.   Place remaining paper with webbing attached on the wrong side of fabric.

3.  Cut out applique along your design’s lines.

4.  Peel paper off the back (the webbing stays attached to the applique) and place applique on fabric.  In this case I placed the applique on one of my finished skirts.  The applique is not permanently bonded yet so you can adjust as much as you need on the fabric.

5.  Iron applique on steam setting for about 15 seconds.  Repeat.

6.  Applique is now finished and permanently bonded to fabric.  You can leave it as is or do any kind of stitching around the applique.  I like to do a machine satin stitch for a nice look and to prevent fraying.

I hope this post inspires you to give appliques a try.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I’d also love to see your appliques.  Feel free to leave a link to your projects in the comments.