Have you been wanting to try appliqué on your embroidery machine but have no idea where to begin? Does the thought of it make you anxious?
I felt the same way the first time I tried it.
Once you complete your first appliqué design, you will see how simple and enjoyable it can be. I put together this step-by-step tutorial to walk you through the process using a single-needle embroidery machine.
Follow along, and make sure you read to the end because I have a free gift waiting for you.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
For this project, you will need appliqué fabric, Heat N Bond Lite, embroidery thread, scissors, a temporary fabric-marking pen, a ruler, stabilizer, an embroidery hoop, and the item you want to embroider.
Print the design’s color chart and load the embroidery design onto your machine before beginning.
Step 2: Prepare and Mark Your Item
Fold your project in half and mark the center point with a temporary fabric-marking pen. Whether you are embroidering a shirt, towel, pillow, or another item, mark the center before moving on.
Step 3: Hoop the Item and Stabilizer
Hoop the project and stabilizer together. Make sure you are using the proper stabilizer for the item you are embroidering.
Step 4: Stitch the First Placement Line
Stitch the first step of the design: the fabric-placement line for the snail’s body.
The thread color used for this placement line does not matter because it will be covered by the decorative stitching later. I normally use white, but I used green in the tutorial photo so the placement line would be easier to see.
Step 5: Cut the Appliqué Fabric
Stop the machine. Measure the width and height of the stitched placement area and add ½–1 inch to those measurements. Cut the appliqué fabric larger than the placement line.
Step 6: Apply Fusible Web to the Fabric
Following the manufacturer’s directions, iron Heat N Bond Lite to the wrong side of the appliqué fabric. Allow the fabric to cool, then remove the paper backing.
Wonder Under or Steam-A-Seam may also be used for this process.
Step 7: Stitch the Tack-Down Line
Place the prepared fabric right side up over the placement line, covering the entire stitched area. Stitch the next step of the design: the tack-down stitching.
Step 8: Trim Around the Tack-Down Stitching
Stop the machine and remove the hoop from the machine. Do not remove the project from the hoop.
Carefully trim the appliqué fabric as close to the tack-down stitches as possible without cutting the stitching.
Do not pull too hard on the fabric while trimming, because this can cause the stabilizer to shift. Once the fabric is trimmed, return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
Step 9: Repeat the Process for the Snail Shell
Repeat Steps 4 through 8 for the snail’s shell: stitch the placement line, prepare the shell fabric, stitch the tack-down line, and trim close to the stitching.
Step 10: Remove Loose Threads and Fabric
After trimming all the appliqué fabric, use a lint roller to remove stray threads and small fabric pieces.
Step 11: Fuse the Appliqué Fabric to the Project
Using the tip of a hot iron, adhere the Heat N Bond Lite to your item.
Sew Nation USA pressing note: Follow the fusible-web manufacturer’s heat instructions and keep the iron away from the hoop.
Step 12: Complete the Decorative Stitching
Finish the remaining decorative stitching to complete your snail appliqué.
Now It’s Your Turn
Wasn’t that easier than you expected? Now it is time to try the process yourself.
As promised, my gift to you is a free download of the snail appliqué design used in this tutorial. The design comes in four sizes and includes a step-by-step stitch-order chart and more detailed printable instructions.
Download the Free Snail Appliqué Design from Creative Appliques
Share Your Finished Project
Dawn would love to see what you create. Email a photo of your finished project to admin@creativeappliques.com.
You can also share your project on the Creative Appliques Facebook page.
Explore More Creative Appliques Designs
Discover more Creative Appliques machine-embroidery designs at Sew Nation USA.
Shop Creative Appliques Designs at Sew Nation USA
About Dawn Chace
Dawn Chace is the designer behind Creative Appliques, founded in 2007. She began with a local embroidery business and personalized appliqué and embroidery products, and creates machine appliqué designs, embroidery designs, fonts, and in-the-hoop projects.
Tutorial and photographs by Dawn Chace, Creative Appliques.