TECHNIQUE OF APPLIQUE
Appliqué Work
What is Appliqué? Applique comes from the French work appliqué, which means to “put on”. Appliqué means to ‘place on’ fabric pieces that are sewn onto a larger piece of foundation fabric in order to create designs.
In this art, colored pieces of cloth after being shaped into different images of birds, animals, flowers and many other forms are stitched on other cloths that are used on wall hangings, lamps, umbrellas and other household items.
It is distinct from what is known as patch work in which small pieces of cut fabrics are usually joined side by side to make a large piece of fabric or for repairing a damaged fabric.
Appliques can be sewn on by hand or machine or ironed on. If an iron-on is desired, you can make one by using a fusible adhesive that is sold in a roll, cutting it in the shape of the applique and ironing it on between the fabric and the applique.
If you are applying it to a heavyweight fabric, basting is required to keep the motif in place while sewing.
Before you begin to applique, make sure you use fray glue to prevent the edges of your applique from fraying.
Any fabric can be used for applique, however, fabrics that fray easily should not be used. If you do use fabric that frays easily, turn the edges under.
Procedure of making appliqué:
The basic material for appliqué is cloth. The general rule for selection base material (cotton) is that it should have enough strength to hold the light weight appliqué pieces.
Flat motifs are first cut from cloth and specially prepared motifs are made separately. If more than one of the same cut motifs is required, a stencil is used.
These cut and specially prepared motifs are then placed on a base cloth in predetermined layout.
The edges of the motifs are turned in and skillfully stitched onto the base cloth or stitched by embroidery or without turning as necessary.
In heavy canopies, the base cloth is additionally supported by a backcloth for strength.
Stitches used in
What is Appliqué? Applique comes from the French work appliqué, which means to “put on”. Appliqué means to ‘place on’ fabric pieces that are sewn onto a larger piece of foundation fabric in order to create designs.
In this art, colored pieces of cloth after being shaped into different images of birds, animals, flowers and many other forms are stitched on other cloths that are used on wall hangings, lamps, umbrellas and other household items.
It is distinct from what is known as patch work in which small pieces of cut fabrics are usually joined side by side to make a large piece of fabric or for repairing a damaged fabric.
Appliques can be sewn on by hand or machine or ironed on. If an iron-on is desired, you can make one by using a fusible adhesive that is sold in a roll, cutting it in the shape of the applique and ironing it on between the fabric and the applique.
If you are applying it to a heavyweight fabric, basting is required to keep the motif in place while sewing.
Before you begin to applique, make sure you use fray glue to prevent the edges of your applique from fraying.
Any fabric can be used for applique, however, fabrics that fray easily should not be used. If you do use fabric that frays easily, turn the edges under.
Procedure of making appliqué:
The basic material for appliqué is cloth. The general rule for selection base material (cotton) is that it should have enough strength to hold the light weight appliqué pieces.
Flat motifs are first cut from cloth and specially prepared motifs are made separately. If more than one of the same cut motifs is required, a stencil is used.
These cut and specially prepared motifs are then placed on a base cloth in predetermined layout.
The edges of the motifs are turned in and skillfully stitched onto the base cloth or stitched by embroidery or without turning as necessary.
In heavy canopies, the base cloth is additionally supported by a backcloth for strength.
Stitches used in