How to Applique with Embroidery Machine 2023 – Applique By Hands Guide

For a sewing enthusiast, there’s nothing better than spending a day finding different strands of fabric to start appliqueing.

Without a doubt, it is an excellent way to make use of leftover fabric. You can even use a few abandoned clothes that you have never worn in years.

Appliques are a great way to embellish fabrics with beautiful artwork to transform something dull into something fantastic.

Luckily, this guide will help you. First, we will discuss the basics and then get to the real thing.

What Is Applique?

There’s nothing complicated about appliques; they are just a fabric pattern sewn onto the base of another fabric. You can applique in different ways; by hand or by machine.

It doesn’t matter whether you only sew the edges of your applique or finish the edges with an embroidery machine with a satin stitch. If you don’t know what a satin stitch is, well, it is similar to a filling stitch where all threads are together.

Things You Will Need For Applique

Before we begin, you must make a list of all the things we need for this task. There are loads of possibilities for you to stop appliqueing when you don’t have all the materials. Here’s a list of all the stuff you will need for appliqueing.

Applique Design

If you are going to use an embroidery machine to work on this task, then you must pick out a design to put into the embroidery machine. There often comes a time when you can’t find the right plan that your tools can create. So, your priority should be finding the right design.

Moreover, it is necessary for you to be careful while picking a design. Otherwise, you will have to make several trips to the store. You can surf the internet for embroidery applique for beginners, or you can go to a store and check out their embroidery catalog. That way, you can easily find a model that your tools can easily make.

Embroidery Machine

Picking out the right kind of embroidery machine for appliqueing is a significant thing to do. Fortunately, embroidery machines are affordable. So if your core reason to buy a sewing machine is to do embroidery, then you should get an embroidery machine for yourself.

If you want to know a personal favorite, then BROTHER machines have the best embroidery machine for you. On the other hand, if this project is a one-time thing, then it’s best to borrow an embroidery machine from a friend.

Embroidery Thread

An embroidery thread will help you fill in the stitches effectively along the edges of your preferred pattern on the garment.

Hoop

A hoop will come in handy to capture the fabric in place while you applique. There are two types of circles; wooden or plastic, you can use any kind you like.

Iron with Iron Board

You will need an iron and an iron board to press the fabric into a straight and un-wrinkled piece.

Scissors

Scissors are essential, as you will need them to cut the thread as well as the design whenever necessary.

Bobbin Thread

A bobbin thread is vital for the embroidery machine.

Fabric

Without fabric, you can’t applique. Pick out any material you like for this task.

Shirt

When it comes to the kind of fabric, you can use a top, towel, trousers, or even a bed cover to get started. But it is best suggested to use a shirt for appliqueing.

Ruler

You will need a ruler to mark the measurements of your design.

Marking pen

A marking pen is necessary for marking your measurements on the exact figures so you won’t end up making a mistake.

Heat n Bond Lite

Heat n Bond Lite is a sew-able, iron-on, double-sided sewing adhesive for attaching fabric without excessive stiffness or weight. You will need this to pin, bast, or simply stitch through the layers of your structure.

How To Applique With Embroidery Machine?

Now, here’s the real thing. Following is a step-by-step guide that will help you into perfectly appliqueing with an embroidery machine for beginners.

Load The Design

That is the part where you begin to applique and make sure to have a design on-the-go already. Now, gently load your preferred design into your embroidery machine.

It is easy to do that, and you can even plug the USB into your PC for better results. You can transfer your design to your PC with a USB cable. You can achieve any design you want, but only if your machine cooperates with you.

Set The Hoop

Applique is an art that is in a particular area, and then it is continued onto the other parts of the fabric. For that, you cannot make your design if the material is not held tight or in place. It is the part where you use the hoop.

A hoop is one with two parts; these two parts play a vital role in keeping the fabric into place. It is easier to applique when the material is straight and held tightly. Moreover, you can adjust the tightness of the structure with a screw on the side of your hoop.

Outline The Pattern

Once the fabric is tightly stretched and ready to be appliqued, you can start working on your stitches, and that is where the tricky work begins. It is best to outline the design you are going to applique onto your fabric.

Your embroidery machine will function according to the pattern you have already installed into it. With an outline, the placement becomes easier. On the other hand, there’s no need to be precise or neat with this part as no one will see what’s happening under the hood.

Attach The Applique Fabric on The Surface

It is an essential part of this guide; attaching the applique fabric onto the surface. It is a one-time step, so be careful while you do it.

You can choose a spray-on adhesive or a heat n bond lite to make the edges of the fabric neat. Make sure that you do this step the right way. Otherwise, things will fall apart. After that, you can even run the material with stitches again so that they won’t separate.

Cut Off Any Excess

Now that you have done all of the above steps, it’s time for you to cut off the excess fabric. For this, you will need to take the hoop out of the embroidery machine. Once it’s out, use scissors to make tiny cuts on the outline. Be careful while you do it.

Use Iron

It is a natural step. Run an iron over your fabric to ensure nothing falls off. Instead of the iron press, you can apply heat from the heat n bond lite, as it will provide efficient results.

Tracking Stitch And Satin Stitch

Now, it’s time for you to attach the hoop to the machine as you have to make more stitches to achieve the perfect applique art.

Once it’s in position, you will need to press on the presser foot and turn on the green button. With this procedure, you’ll be able to create a tacking stitch.

It is a foundation that indicates where the satin stitch goes. Besides that, the embroidery machine often creates ‘V’-like stitches that help to enhance the embroidery on every side of the fabric.

Finishing Up

You are almost on top of your goal. All you need to do now is to take care of the details and finishing touches. First, remove every lint present on the fabric. After that, clean the stabilizer residue from the art. Lastly, you will have to iron the fabric together to avoid creasing or lifting after a wash. That’s it!

How To Applique With Hand?

You can applique with a machine or with your hands. Do you already know how to applique with an embroidery machine at home?

so let’s get to the point, where you applique with your hands?

The steps are all the same on applique embroidery by hand. Still, there’s an inch different in stitching. You have to do everything with your hand.

Although it is a fantastic alternative when you don’t have an embroidery machine, it takes a lot of time to do so.

Useful Tips For Beginners

Conclusion

Wasn’t that fun?

It’s easy to know how to applique with embroidery machine as it requires less stress and saves a lot of time.

Now, you can create all kinds of applique art you want on any type of fabric, so start filling up your portfolios with beautiful embroidery work.