Personalize your embroidery with favorite fabrics, prints, and patterns through a process called "applique embroidery."

Click on the image to the right to watch a free video tutorial demonstrating this process. Or, look below for written instructions.

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Embroidery Library has thousands of applique embroidery designs. These project instructions are for traditional applique designs that have a satin stitch border.

This tutorial demonstrates the applique process with a bunny design. You may be working with a different design. No matter which applique design you're working with, the principles and instructions below will guide you through the process.

When you download an applique design, you'll find two files: a dieline (which ends with "_DL" ) and the full embroidery file ("Y" followed by 4 numbers).

The dieline file is used to cut the applique fabric to the proper shape and size. You won't sew the DL file on your garment or item - you'll just use it to cut the fabric.

Begin by opening the dieline file in your embroidery software, and printing it.

If you don't have embroidery software, or cannot print from it, then sew the dieline file to make a template.

To do this, hoop a piece of paper.

Load the dieline file into the embroidery machine and embroider that file. You can use an unthreaded needle, and the needle will perforate the paper. For the example to the left, there is thread in the needle.

A dieline is a simple running stitch outline, so it only takes a moment or two to sew.

Once the dieline file has finished sewing, set the paper aside and prepare your applique fabric.

You can use almost any fabric for applique. A fabric that has a tighter weave will ensure that the applique fabric doesn't fray during laundering and use. Fabrics that have a tighter weave include a high-quality quilter's cotton (such as Kona), twill, flannel, denim, canvas, and a low-pile plush / Minkee fabric.

We're using a lightweight cotton, so we are backing the fabric with one piece of cutaway stabilizer.

Spray the stabilizer lightly with adhesive.

Smooth the applique fabric on top.

Spray a bit of adhesive on the backside of the paper template, and smooth that on top of the applique fabric and stabilizer.

Then, cut the shape from the fabric and stabilizer "sandwich."

Remove the paper template from the fabric and stabilizer (sandwich). If you are planning on using the applique design again, you can store that paper template with the color change sheet for a future use.

Next, back the garment with stabilizer.

Hoop both fabric and stabilizer firmly.

Begin embroidering the design - the full embroidery file, the one that is named with only "Y" followed by 4 numbers.

For most applique designs, a dieline will stitch first. Some applique designs will stitch other detail first, then a dieline; refer to each design's color change sheet to view the order.

Once the dieline has finished sewing, spray the backside of the fabric and stabilizer "sandwich" with adhesive.

Place the applique piece in the sewn dieline.

Continue embroidering the design. The next thing to sew is the tackdown stitch. This is a zig-zag stitch which binds the applique fabric to the garment.

You'll also see a satin stitch border sew. This gives the applique fabric a nice, smooth seal.

The applique design might have other elements that embroider, too. This bunny has ears, eyes, nose, and a tail. You'll find the color change sheet is helpful when embroidering, as the fields are labeled with convenient descriptions.

Applique embroidery is a wonderful way to add your favorite fabrics and patterns to your embroidery. Let your imagination run wild!