Four Ways To Level Up Your Appliqué
Appliqué is a fun way to add extra creativity to any project. Once you have done a simple appliqué project a few times, you may be looking for ways to add some extra detail and interest to your appliqué. Today I am showing you four ways to level up your appliqué projects!
Today we will be looking at four different ways to make a fancy appliqué project: adding jewels/gems, thread scrap appliqué, reverse appliqué, and tulle-covered filled appliqué. Let’s get started and learn four ways to level up your appliqué projects!
Jeweled Appliqué
One very simple way to add extra detail to your project, is to add some bling! Using gems, rhinestones, beads, etc., to your project instantly adds some sparkle!
For this example, I stacked to hearts from the Sugar pattern, then added gems. I used Gorilla Glue permanent fabric adhesive for mine. You should use the glue/adhesive that works best with your chosen material.
Thread scrap appliqué
With this project, you create a piece of fabric from thread scraps! Then, the piece of thread scrap fabric can be cut into shapes to use for your project. It is a great way to use up those scraps, and create a fancy appliqué in the process!
For this project, a little planning ahead is necessary! Start saving thread scraps! I don’t save serger chain scraps typically, just the scraps from the sewing machine. Any time I trim my thread tails, I add them to this little bowl. Similarly, if I only have a tiny bit of bobbin thread left and need to change it, I add what is left to the bowl! Depending on how often you sew, you’ll find you have a fair amount of scraps pretty quickly!
For this project, you need some wash away stabilizer. I use Sticky Solvy. It is a paper-like material that is sticky on one side and stabilizer on the other, and dissolves completely in warm water. Cut two pieces, each big enough to hold your scrap thread. Peel off the backing of one, and lay it sticky side up. On a separate surface, arange your pile of thread in a way you like. Then carefully set it down on the sticky side of the paper you laid. Further arrange the thread as needed. Peel off the paper backing of the other piece, and lay it sticky side down on the thread. You now have a little “packet” or “pouch” containing the thread but it is all well held together.
First, stitch around the perimeter of the pouch. Then, “quilt” the pouch. In the example above I did grid lines. You can also do free motion quilting. Free motion will leave you with a stitching line you can barely see- or not even see at all! But the result will also mean more bits of thread sticking out. Grid pattern stitching will almost create a netting for the threads. The stitches will be more visible, but you will have a more solid piece of fabric. I like both, depending on the project!
Rinse the Solvy. My preferred method is to soak in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes, and then hold under warm running water until it is all dissolved. You can really see here the difference between free motion and grid line quilting!
Treat as a regular piece of fabric to finish your project. Trace the desired shape on Heat n Bond, apply to the back of your “fabric” and cut out. Then peel off the backing, iron onto your project, and topstitch.
What a cool way to level up your appliqué! I used the piece that had free motion quilting for the heart, because I liked the loose thread look. For the grid quilted pieces I cute out the candlesticks, then used regular cotton for the flames. This thread scrap method creates unique and beautiful detail!
I used the heart from Sugar for one, and the candles from Cocoa for the other.
Reverse Appliqué
Reverse appliqué is a fun project, where instead topstitching the shape to the main fabric, the shape appears to peek out from behind the main fabric.
Follow the steps below to learn this fun fancy appliqué technique!
First, draw the desired shape onto the right side of the main fabric. I drew a star from the Cocoa pattern. Then, pin a piece of fabric to the wrong side of your main, big enough to cover the full shape. The right side of the appliqué fabric will face the wrong side of the main fabric.
Sew around the shape outline from the right side of the main. Carefully, separate the main and back fabric and snip a small hole in the main fabric. Then, finish cutting away the main fabric that is inside the stitch line.
Flip the main fabric over so you are looking at the back. Snip away the excess shape fabric from the back side. It won’t show, so I’m not as finicky with this side. Turn it right side up again and you’ve got reverse appliqué!
Filled Tulle Appliqué
Possibly my favorite of all the fancy appliqué methods I have shown you today, is the filled tulle method. This gorgeous project is fun because you can be so creative with what you choose for filling (similar to the filled tulle skirt in the Solstice pattern!). Read on for our fourth way to level up your appliqué!
Begin by sewing the main shape you have chosen. For this project, I used the letter C from the Apple pattern, and scaled it up to make it extra large. Apply it to the main fabric, and topstitch on. If appliqué is new to you, the Sugar, Cocoa, and Apple patterns all have detailed instructions included!
If you are using a very small filling, like sequins, you would now lay a piece of tulle over, big enough to cover the entire shape with plenty of room to spare. I used white tulle so it may be a bit hard to see in the photo. Pin the tulle down and sew it to the shape, sewing directly over the previous topstitching line, and leaving a gap at the top. Pour the filling in, then stitch closed. Skip to the finishing steps.
But I am using a bulky filling- small silk flowers! So I needed to do it in a different order:
Start by arranging the filling over the letters. I added the flowers until I was happy with the look. Then, lay the tulle over the shape, and begin pinning. Pin enough that the filling is enclosed and won’t fall out! Sew slowly. When needed, stop and slide tweezers under the tulle and rearrange the filling to the correct place. Remove the tweezers, then resume stitching. It is a little slow going, but completely worth the end result!!!
Regardless of the method you used, you now have to trim the tulle. Carefully snip away the excess tulle until it is only left covering the shape. Be very careful at the stitch line so that it doesn’t rip through the stitches! The finished product is stunning!
I hope you enjoyed these four ways to level up your appliqué projects! Use these ideas as a jumping off point to create endless fancy appliqué projects- whatever your imagination can come up with! If you create something using one of these ideas, we would love to see! Tag us on Instagram @booandlupatterns or join our Facebook group for tips, sneak peeks, encouragement, support, and more!
