How To Applique- Its Fun!

With Summer coming to a close and school starting everywhere, I thought I’d give you a fun project that combines reading and sewing- How to Applique.

The inspiration for our project comes from a family favorite; see if you can guess what it is.

Step 1:   You need something for a background fabric.  I’ve used a drop cloth that has been washed and bleached.   Any neutral background fabric will do.   Because drop cloth tends to unravel, I’ve serged the edges.

Cut out a piece at least 14” x 14”.

Step 2:   Print out my design template (download the PDF HERE.)

Step 3:   Cut out the template for the hill.  Fuse the back of your fabric with Steam A Seam 2 or WonderUnder.  Peel off the backing then fuse to your fabric with an iron.

Stitch down with either a straight stitch (which I used), or a zigzag or any decorative stitch you prefer.  I also used a heavier thread so mine would be more visible.

Step 4:   Next, cut out the crocodile and apply fusible webbing to the back of fabric.  Place the crocodile where you want him in the scene, then add a little bit of rickrack for his back ridges.  Iron down the crocodile, making sure that you catch the rickrack.

Step 5:   With a water soluble marker or chalk, make a smile on your crocodile’s face.  This will help with the stitching.

Step 6:  Starting at the inside corner of his mouth, begin stitching around your crocodile.  Be creative and have fun with this.

Step 7:   Apply fusible webbing to the back of your bird fabric.  Place the bird 1” above the alligator, to leave room for it’s skinny little legs.

With a water soluble marker, mark the bird’s legs and wing.

Step 8:  Now, beginning with the right leg, stitch around your bird.   Be sure to stitch the wing, too.

Cut out as many clouds as you desire and add fusible webbing to the back.  Lay onto your scene, then iron in place.  Stitch around your clouds.

Step 9:  Now, add a button for each eye.  I like to tape mine in place and then sew them on the machine.  Feel free to hand sew them, as well.

Now you’re done.  You can make this into a pillow or frame it for a wall hanging.  It would also make a great taggie (as long as you embroider the eyes).

With a project like this, anything is possible.

I added some matching 2” strips to my project and turned it into this adorable pillow.

I’d love to hear some of your ideas!