Embroidery Library Projects

Heirloom Applique

A blanket stitch (or E stitch), paired with cozy felt or ultrasuede, adds a traditional hand-sewn look to embroidery projects.

These instructions demonstrate how to prepare the fabric and fusible web for heirloom applique.

Supplies needed:

** Small piece of felt or ultra-
suede fabric

** Double-stick fusible web
** Cut-away stabilizer
** Spray adhesive

Designs Used:

** Heirloom Applique Snowflake

When you download an heirloom applique design, you'll find two files. One file will begin with the number "25" -- that's the embroidery file.

The other file will begin with the letters "DL" -- that's the dieline. The dieline is used to cut the fabric for the design.

If you have embroidery software, open the dieline file and print it at full size. This will be a template for the design.

If you don't have embroidery software that will print the template, embroider the design onto paper. To do this, hoop a piece of paper.

Embroider the dieline file right onto the paper.

Trim around the template.

Peel back the protective wrapper on one side of the fusible web and smooth the felt or ultrasuede fabric on top. (For these types of designs, it's best to use fabric that does not fray.)

Spray the back side of the paper template with a quick shot of adhesive.

Smooth the template on top of the fabric and cut out the shape.

Remove the paper template from the top of the fabric. Remove the back paper from the fusible web. Set the fabric piece aside for now.

Heirloom applique designs can be embroidered anywhere -- linens, garments, gifts, totes, pillows and more. For this project, we're embroidering the snowflake design onto the corners of a tablecloth.

Spray a piece of cut-away stabilizer with adhesive and hoop it with the fabric. Add the hoop to the machine, load the design file that starts with "25", and embroider the design.

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.

After that dieline has sewn, lay the fabric piece, fusible web side down, inside of the dieline.

Continue embroidering. The outer blanket stitch and an outline stitch will embroider next.

Then, all of the inside elements will sew.

After the design has finished sewing, cut away the excess stabilizer.

Then, to permanently set the fabric piece, iron the design with a pressing cloth. Follow the instructions on the fusible web packaging.

And it's as easy as that! These quick-stitch designs let you add a vintage, traditional look to any embroidery project.

Click here for a printable version of these project instructions.

You'll need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. If you don't have it, you can download a free copy by clicking on the icon below.