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Classic Applique Embroidery

Free project instructions to embroider a classic applique embroidery design.

Free project instructions to embroider a towel border with an animal design.

Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique

Applique embroidery uses fabric pieces to fill in parts of a design and finishes with a smooth satin stitch.  This tutorial demonstrates how to stitch a design that uses one piece of fabric as well as how to use a dieline to cut the applique fabric to the proper shape and size.
 

Project Needs & Notes

- Applique fabric (good-quality and tightly-woven
  quilter's cotton, denim, felt, canvas, twill, etc.)
- Medium-weight (2.5 ounce) cutaway stabilizer
- Base fabric (in this example, a kitchen towel)
- Temporary spray adhesive

 For this tutorial, I use the Apple (Applique) design. Find even more applique designs in the Applique category here.

This project was featured in the following:
 12 Top-Trending Embroidery Styles Lookbook

Free video with instructions on how to embroider on straw placemats.

Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
All applique designs from Embroidery Library come with a dieline file.

Download the applique design and unzip it. Extract the files, and look for the file marked with the letters "DL." That is the dieline.

Dielines are used to cut applique fabric to the right shape and size.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
Dielines are embroidery designs. Open the dieline with embroidery software and print it.

In this example, the fabric piece will form the apple.

If you do not have embroidery software, Wilcom's TrueSizer is a free program that can print templates.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
To prepare the applique piece, spray a piece of medium-weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive.

Smooth the applique fabric on top. Then, place the printed dieline on top, and cut out the shape.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
Some applique fabric, like the lace in this Delicate Details Bunny (Applique) design, does not need stabilizer. Simply proceed with the next steps and skip adding a layer of stabilizer to your applique fabric.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
When using faux fur fabric as applique, as in this Fuzzy Woodland Squirrel (Applique) design, you can use a water-soluble stabilizer such as Sulky Ultra Solvy as a topping. This will keep the stitching looking crisp on top of the fabric.

Simply lay the topping over the design after adding the faux fur fabric, then continue embroidering. After the design is complete, tear away as much of the topping as possible, then remove the rest according to the manufacturer's instructions. See the tutorial Embroidering on Faux Fur for more information.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
In the above step, the applique fabric is backed with cutaway stabilizer. The towel needs stabilizer, too.

Cutaway stabilizer is the best choice for a kitchen towel. Hoop the towel with one piece of  medium-weight (2.5 ounce) cutaway stabilizer.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
Load the full embroidery design (not the dieline) to the machine.

The color change sheet shows the stitching order. The first thing to embroider is a dieline. That traces the shape for the applique piece.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
Spray the back of the applique fabric and stabilizer piece with a bit of temporary adhesive.

Place it in the outline on the towel.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
Continue embroidering the design.

A tackdown stitch, also called a zigzag stitch, is next. That binds the applique fabric to the base fabric.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
The satin stitch border is the finishing touch. In this example, the leaf and stem of the apple are stitched with thread.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
Trim the excess stabilizer away from the back of the towel. Leave about 1/2" around the design.
Free project instructions for machine embroidery applique
Applique designs are a wonderful way to use favorite fabric prints and patterns to bring a unique and custom look to your embroidery.
Classic Applique Embroidery



This project is featured on the Embroidery Library Pinterest page.

Pin it yourself using the "Pin It" button on this page.

To find applique designs, visit the Applique category at Embroidery Library!

Questions or comments? Let us know! Send an email to us; the address is stitch@emblibrary.com.

Products used in this Project:
Fluffy Polar Bear (Applique) $2.99 - $3.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

8.91" x 6.89" | 7.61" x 5.89" | 6.28" x 4.86"
Seeking Wise Men (Applique) $4.99 - $5.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

9.60" x 6.84" | 7.80" x 5.56" | 6.82" x 4.86"
Fancy Fish (Applique) $3.99 - $4.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

9.33" x 6.83" | 7.78" x 5.70" | 6.65" x 4.88"
Fluffy Lamb (Applique) $3.99 - $4.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

7.81" x 6.67" | 6.86" x 5.86" | 5.70" x 4.86"
A Summer Fruit Design Pack $24.82

Available in 1 Size:

3.48" x 3.93"
A Baby Animals Design Pack $6.94

Available in 1 Size:

3.82" x 3.89"
A Feathered Family (Applique) Design Pack $27.34 - $37.34

Available in 2 Sizes:

4.84" x 5.98" | 3.94" x 3.94"
A Winter Animal Applique Design Pack $5.69 - $7.94

Available in 2 Sizes:

3.90" x 3.90" | 3.39" x 3.39"
A Country Time (Applique) Design Pack $10.89 - $14.39

Available in 2 Sizes:

3.90" x 3.90" | 3.39" x 3.39"
A Sea Life Applique Design Pack $9.94

Available in 1 Size:

3.82" x 3.88"
A Nautical Design Pack $13.91

Available in 1 Size:

3.85" x 3.93"
A Pretty Petals (Applique) Design Pack $11.94 - $14.44

Available in 2 Sizes:

4.88" x 6.30" | 3.86" x 3.86"
A Flowers Bouquet Design Pack $15.39

Available in 1 Size:

3.48" x 3.93"
Teapot In Bloom (Applique) $5.99 - $6.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

7.23" x 6.90" | 6.15" x 5.88" | 5.09" x 4.87"
Teacup In Bloom (Applique) $5.99 - $6.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

6.89" x 7.07" | 5.86" x 6.02" | 4.85" x 4.99"
Teapot Bouquet (Applique) $5.99 - $6.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

6.89" x 7.35" | 5.86" x 6.26" | 4.86" x 5.19"
Teacup Bouquet (Applique) $5.99 - $6.99

Available in 3 Sizes:

6.95" x 6.91" | 5.91" x 5.88" | 4.91" x 4.88"
Country Apple (Applique) $1.49 - $1.99

Available in 2 Sizes:

2.15" x 3.87" | 1.86" x 3.37"