The Best Materials for Applique Embroidery Projects
Whether you’re a beginner looking to try your hand at applique or a seasoned stitcher embarking on a new project, choosing the right applique materials is important for successful results. In this article, I’ll discuss some of the most popular options and share tips from my own experience to help you pick materials well-suited to your needs.
Fabrics for Applique
The first decision is selecting the base and applique fabrics. While many varieties will work, some fare better than others for certain techniques.
Cotton
Cotton fabrics are arguably the most common choice and for good reason – they’re affordable, easy to work with, and very durable. I’ve used cotton for countless applique projects over the years and it’s rarely let me down. Look for tightly-woven, colorfast cottons that won’t pill or fray easily.
Linen
Linen has a lovely drape but requires more care during applique. The texture means it tends to shift more when stitched. I’d recommend fusing lightweight linens or using a slightly tighter stitch to prevent slippage. But the wrinkled look adds such character, right?
Quilting Weight Fabrics
If you plan free-motion stitching, quilting cottons make appliqueing a total breeze. The thickness means pieces kinda stick in place on their own. For bigger projects, the stability is amazing. At the same time, it can get stiff if using small motifs.
Silks and Other Non-Woven Fabrics
Silks are gorgeous but tricky! I’d fuse them for sure since hand-sewing risks snags. Synthetics like polyester or rayon work well, too, if being extra careful not to shear the material. My grandma used to just say “pack your patience!” LOL.
- Fusible webs – A total lifesaver for securing cut motifs before sewing. Make sure to test adhesion on fabric scraps first!
- Basting sprays – Fasten pieces temporarily in place before sewing. May require extra prep work but can be convenient.
- Wash-away/heat-erase adhesives – Secure appliques for machine stitching then remove the adhesive. Kinda pricey though.
Applique Stabilizers
Many appliquers like using stabilizers behind fabrics as extra reinforcement during stitching. Here are a few popular kinds:
Threads for Applique
Thread choice is personal preference but some thoughts from my experience:
All-Purpose Thread
For most cotton and linen appliques, basic all-purpose polyester or cotton thread works great. Make sure to use a color close to the fabric to avoid finding “floats” later.
Embroidery Floss
Thicker floss like DMC adds lovely detailing to embroidery appliques. For finely-stitched botanicals, it can make edges really pop. Just go slowly to prevent tangles!
Metallics
Golds, silvers, and other metallic threads are amazing for bringing appliques to life. But I’ve found machine sewing with them super frustrating due to slippage. Now I stick to hand-stitching with metallic threads and it’s worth the extra time.
Needles
A variety of needles help accomplish different applique techniques. Here are some staples:
Sharp needles
New, sharp needles are essential for detailed hand- and machine-stitching. Dull ones cause more thread breakage and skipped stitches, yo.
Microtex or quilting needles
The thin shafts glide through multiple layers of fabric when straight-stitching motifs and details. A total game-changer for piecing.
Embroidery needles
The slightly rounded tips pass through the hole in floss or metallic threads easily for hand-stitching appliques. Go too big and it spools, too small and it snags.
Additional Supplies
A few last items that may come in handy:
Scissors – Thread-cutting shears preserve threads, especially when using pricey metallics. Fabric scissors keep pieces from fraying.
Pins – For basting, glass-head pins are best to avoid snags. Sort of a no-brainer but easy to overlook!
Embroidery hoops – Hoops keep fabric taut for neat handwork. Those adjustable circular ones are awesome.
Tracing/Water-soluble pens – Mark motifs for placement or machine sewing lines. Pens disappear when laundered.
So in summary, choose applique fabrics, threads, stabilizers and tools tailored to your specific techniques and projects. Test things first and find what works best for you! With the right materials, I’m sure your stitching skills will impress. Now get out there and start appliqueing!
Materials for Applique Embroidery
| Material | Durability | Ease of Use | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | High | Easy | Low |
| Silk | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Felt | Low | Easy | Low |
| Leather | High | Difficult | High |
| Paper | Low | Easy | Low |
| Laminate | Moderate | Easy | Moderate |
FAQ
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What materials are used for applique embroidery?
Most applique embroidery uses fabric as the main material. Common fabric types include cotton, linen, felt and silk. The applique pieces are usually cut out of the fabric and attached to a background piece of fabric with threads or glue.
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What type of threads are best for applique?
General embroidery floss or cotton perle cotton threads are often used for applique stitching. They are strong enough to hold the applique pieces in place yet blend nicely with fabric. Finer threads like silk are suitable for delicate fabrics. Some embroiderers also use glue to stick down applique pieces in addition to thread.
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How do I prepare fabric for applique?
To get fabric ready for applique, you need to cut out shapes smoothly and apply a stabilizer. The fabric pieces are cut with a 1/4 inch seam allowance beyond the design line. Using a stabilizer on the fabric prevents fraying and helps the stitching look neat. Most stabilizers either wash away or are heat soluble for easy removal later.
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What needles are good for applique?
Applique needles should be sharp enough to pierce fabric smoothly without breaking threads. Generally a small sharps needle between sizes 7-10 works well. For thicker fabrics like felt, a slightly larger needle may be better. Bamboo or plastic needles are preferable over metal for applique to avoid rust stains if you sweat onto the work.
Is hand applique or machine applique easier?
While machine applique is faster, hand applique allows for greaterprecision and creativity in needlework. With hand applique, you have full control over stitch placement and can adjust designs more easily. However, machine applique may require less effort overall, especially on larger quilt pieces. It basically comes down to your skill level and what style you prefer aesthetically.
What kind of designs work well for applique?
Just about any design can be done as applique from simple shapes to elaborate pictures. Florals, animals, seasonal motifs and cultural/folk art images often lend themselves well to the applique technique. Flowing, curvy lines or designs with lots of individual pieces may take extra careful work. But astonishing applique craftspeople have tackled amazingly complex images too! The options are nearly endless depending on your abilities.
Can I use regular thread for applique or do I need special thread?
While ordinary thread can certainly work in a pinch for applique, thicker threads made specifically for embroidery tend to give neater results. Strong threads like cotton perle or polyester floss are meant to withstand strains like repeated washings or long term fabric flexing without tangling or breaking down. Suggesting to use labeled “applique thread” may help ensure your seamstress gets the proper supplies. On the other hand, if you’re confident in your needlework skills, some embroiderers say any thread will suffice.
Despite differing opinions on the “right” way to do applique, most crafters agree the style is beneficial for novice and expert stitchers alike. Whether by hand or machine, it lends opportunity to mix interesting colors and textures. Applique pieces also tend to hold their shape well over extended periods compared to some other embroidery techniques. So whether decorating clothing, quilts, home décor or gifts – applique provides fabulous possibilities!