How To Applique

The first thing you need is something to stick the two fabrics together. The Ribbon Retreat sells lots of different kinds and brands of fusible web or interfacing. For this tutorial, I used HeatnBond Ultrahold. This is great for no sew projects.

It helps me to search for the words “paper backed” to make sure I am getting the right thing. The paper backing is really important to me since I some times trace what I want to cut out on it.

I started out with all my pieces: The HeatnBond, and the fabric I’m appliqueing together. For this tutorial, I am going to cut out the flower and fuse it to the cream fabric.

First, I always make sure I have leftover fabric around what I am cutting out. If you are doing letters, I would cut out a strip of fabric. Then cut out the same amount of HeatnBond.

Second, iron the HeatnBond and fabric together. Read the instructions on your fusible web for ironing times. I generally do about three seconds.

Third, cut out your shape.

If you are doing letters or tracing a pattern, you will put the letters/pattern on the paper backing. Make sure that it is backwards on the paper, because when you cut it out it will be the right way on the fabric. I trace out the letters with a pencil and then cut.

Fourth, peel off the paper backing.

Fifth, place your shape where you want it to be permanently.

Sixth, iron your shape onto your fabric.

Now you’re all done!

This HeatnBond is strong enough to hold without extra sewing, but you can sew around it if you’d like. I did embroidery floss around my letters on my Christmas stockings and I stitched around the tie on the onesie. I tried to do free motion stitching around this flower, but I need LOTS more practice doing that!

Let me know if you have any other questions. It really is so much fun to do!