Applique

Applique is a decorative embroidery done by incorporating pieces of contrasting fabric into your work, creating a design with an almost three dimensional effect. The beauty is that almost any fabric can be appliqued, provided you choose similar weights for both the background and applique.  Your palette is endless however, and complete scenes can be created in a variety of colours, prints  and textures. Since the artistry is in the formation of the design, the actual embroidery stitches used are relatively plain, to draw the eye to the fabrics.

Close Up of Towel showing a combination of appliqued flowers and embroidery

The pillow on the right is from my husband's militaria collection and was created on a plain pink background.  The applique is  a variety of cigarette silks, lightly padded to give it a quilt like finish and the decorative stitching is done with a champagne coloured silk thread.  This example shows the diversity of the craft. Appliques can be used on household linens, clothing and quilts, but can also be used to create a work of art.  Add  a frame and you've got a masterpiece.  It is also a good skill to learn for the restoration of textiles, since strategically placed pieces will nicely cover a hole or stain.  Getting Started: When you are selecting fabrics for a new project, the best choice is a firm weave with a clean edge.  Cotton broadcloth, linen, taffeta and velvet are all good selections, and can be mixed and matched to give a nice contrasting look.

Fig. 1

For the best results, the complete design should be marked on the background fabric first (fig. 1), then a separate pattern piece made for each element of that design.  Now take each pattern piece and mark it on the applique fabric, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.  Machine stitch around the outline  to accentuate the turning edge (fig. 2).  Cut out pattern (fig. 3), clip curved edges and corners, turn in seam allowance and press (fig. 4).

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 3

Fig. 2

Complete this process for all applique pieces.  Now lay out your work as per design on the background, being sure to first put down the pieces that will appear underneath; pin and slipstich in place with as tiny a stitch as possible (fig. 5)  If you want a decorative edge like the pieces on the pillow, a topstitch of matching or contrasting thread can be used.  A chainstitch completes the design as per the stems on the flowers and veins on the leaves.

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