3 Easy Ways to Applique for Beginners

Once you have mastered sewing simple projects, a great way to take them one step further is to personalize them with appliqués. Or perhaps you haven’t quite mastered sewing yet, adding appliqués is also a great way to hide some of your imperfections! Orrrr maybe you have something you just want to jazz up. This is a great way to give it a fresh makeover. Regardless, learning how to appliqué is a great way to add that little extra personalization to any project and a good opportunity to use some of those fancy stitches on your machines that you haven’t tried yet. Here are the top three methods for beginners:

 

 

Method 1 – Straight Stitch Applique

This method is about as easy as it gets and adds so much to any project. Once washed, it will fray around the edges and have a really cool vintage look.

Method 2 – Lettering and Zigzag Stitch Applique

The zig-zag stitch for appliqueing is a personal favorite that I use when I applique, and a common applique method for beginners.

Applique using the zig-zag stitch

Method 3 – Decorative Stitch Applique

If your machine has some extra bells and whistles like decorative stitches, it is time to time to let them shine. A decorative stitch can really make your design pop. However, if you are not a beginner, I would practice, practice, practice this method first. Corners and rounded edges are a little more difficult when you are working with these stitches.  Play around with them and find one that you love.

Start practicing with these recommended templates:

Looking for a fancy font or another applique idea? Try utilizing our partners Creative Fabrica. 

 

Joan Mantini

About Joan Mantini

After several years of being the Facebook page owner at Beginner Sewing, I noticed there was a desperate need to have a single go-to spot for members to be able to find answers to their common questions, get some useful tips & tricks, as well as find reputable places to purchase sewing products online. Taking my role as a trade publication editor by day, and combining it with my knowledge of frequently requested beginner sewing advice, I created www.https://beginner-sewing.com/. An outlet that gives new sewists a free digital magazine geared for entry level sewing as an extra bonus!

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