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A Complete Guide On Machine Applique Sewing can be done by either hand or machine. If what you want is a quick project, applying appliques using the latter is what you want. Appliques By Machine And Appliques By Hands Applying appliques by hand takes a considerable amount of time to finish despite the many advantages it has. You cannot turn an edge under to hide it as with hand applique, but instead, it has as many options to choose from. And you will have a lot of decorative stitches to finish the edges. What You Need To Prepare Fabrics for applique. Fabric to be the background. Thread with contrasting or matching the color. Fusible web. Pens Templates for applique Needle for hand sewing. Sewing machine A sewing machine is a must-have tool for this project. This could be the best basic sewing machine but make sure you can change the zigzag stitch length. If you happen to be looking for a machine like that, I have just the guide you need, you could check here. Choose The Fabrics For Machine Applique Woven fabrics Woven fabrics You can use woven fabrics for both the applique and the background. Since it will not stretch, it is the ideal option to make applique for a knit background. Knit Fabrics If you can handle the troubles knit fabrics bring as a background or as the applique, feel free to use it. In fact, the fabric is perfect to make into appliques and paired with straight stitches because the edges will not fray. Knit fabric appliques can stretch so to reduce this, you may want to apply an interface. If you do not have interfacing, a stabilizer that can be torn away is a good substitute. The Proper Thread The color of the thread and also its thickness has a big impact on the finished products. When you want the outer space to pop, use the thread with contrasting colors. Otherwise, use a color that blends well with the fabric. In case you want to hide everything completely, use an invisible thread instead. The thickness of the thread should be chosen according to that of the fabric. The lighter the fabric, the thinner the thread, and vice versa. Fabrics such as canvas are best paired with heavy thread. How To Prepare The Fabrics Pre-wash the fabric to make sure the appliques or the background do not shrink to different sizes when you finish. Stitches For Appliques Here are a few options to sew appliques: Satin Stitches Satin stitches on appliques Satin stitches are nothing more than zigzag stitches sewn really densely together. When you are done, what you have are lines of solid stitches. This is also the best way to prevent fraying and cover the edges totally. Satin stitches make the most professional looking projects. This stitch type does not forgive mistakes and it will show everything you did wrong so you want to be really careful when you use it. Zig-Zag Stitches One of the disadvantages of this stitch is that it let the edges fray, so when you use zigzag stitches, make sure that the fusible web you use has a good quality. However, this stitch type is more suitable for the beginner as it is ok if you make mistakes. Zigzag also gives a handmade look that some of you love. Adjust the length and width of the stitches to make the outcome your desire. When picking a sewing machine to start with, you can go for a budget-friendly option, but no matter how much you want to reduce the cost, make sure what you buy has at least the zigzag stitches and the reverse stitches. ✿✿✿ Further Reading: CraftsSelection Top Arts, Crafts and Sewing Products Blanket Stitch This stitch type is ideal to sew around the appliques if you want to make a hand-made look. The biggest drawback? The edges can fray over time. Straight Stitch Straight stitches on appliques Fraying is not always a bad thing as it can have a cool look, especially on the male outfit. To create this look, sew around the edge of the appliques with straight stitches and use woven fabrics. After you wash the project a few times, the edge will fray and be visible. For those who are in a hurry, this is also the fastest stitch you have. How To Apply Machine Appliques Step 1: Make and prepare the appliques If you use a ready-made template, put it on the piece of fabric you want to make appliques from. On the front of the fusible web, trace the shape and trim it. Do not cut close to the edge, leave about ¼” around the shape. This step must be done especially when you make reverse lettering. If you want the edge to fray and you want to use straight stitches, when you finish tracing, trim about 1/8” or ¼” from the web. This will leave part of the applique without the fusible web, making it easier for the edge to fray when you wash. Now you peel the paper off the fusible web and apply it on the wrong side of the applique. What you need to do now is to iron the whole thing. I recommend using a piece of cloth and put it between the applique and the iron. Step 2: Stick appliqué to the background Take out the back of the fusible web. Put the applique with the right side facing up. Now you press in the way the fusible web manufacturer instructs. Make sure that you do this with the amount of heat the two fabrics can handle in mind. Step 3: Test your stitches Always test the stitches before you sew to make sure everything goes fine. The stabilizer is useful when you have applique made out of woven or knit fabrics. Choose either the tear-away or the one that can be resolved in water. Always use a new needle for this task and choose a proper one for the fabric. Thick materials require heavy-duty needles. A ball-point needle is for knit fabric. Step 4: Stitch around Now you are ready to stitch around the appliques. At this step, you should have known what stitches to use. If it is the satin stitches, make sure the machine you have allows you to adjust the length of its zigzag stitches. But do not worry, if what you have is the best sewing machine for beginners, like the ones reviewed in the guide on how to choose a good sewing machine for beginners by CraftsSelection.com, this will help you make an informed choice.
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