Sewing a Back to School Appliqué
Hey there!
It’s Jackie from Pritchard Stitches and I’m going to be showing you how to do a fun, simple back to school appliqué. I absolutely love sewing for back to school and creating unique, personalized items for each child. For the appliqué I’m doing today, we are going to do an apple with an initial. Let’s get started!
Supplies
First, you are going to want to get your supplies and cut out your pattern pieces. I am going to be using the Tamarack pattern today! I got this adorable back to school fabric and all the solids I will be using from Purple Seamstress. They have super cute prints, quality solids and super-fast shipping! You are also going to want to get some Heat n Bond Lite Sewable, which is an iron on adhesive, to help apply the appliqués.
Preparing the Appliqués
For your back to school appliqué, you will need a template for the letter you choose and the apple. For the letters, I found this free template that is great and includes the entire alphabet. I prefer using the letters with serifs, but there is also an option for the straight-line letters if you prefer that. For the apple I just searched “apple outline” in google images and selected a free clip art one. I included a picture of the one I used so you can easily save it and use it.
Once you have the letter template downloaded, open Word (or comparable software) and insert whichever letter you are going to be using. From there you are going to be adjusting the size to fit your shirt. I am using my projector to show you, but you can easily print this at the size you prefer and follow along the same way. Then, you will do the same thing for your apple. I chose not to do the stem on my apple and made the leaf slightly bigger. I find it easiest to lay my front bodice piece out then adjust the size of the appliqué based on how it looks on the shirt.
Once you have decided on the size for your apple and letter, cut out a piece of fabric and a piece of the Heat n Bond slightly bigger than the letter. I like to just cut out a square around the shape. Then apply the adhesive per instructions to the wrong side of your fabric. Next, you are going to trace the letter shape onto the adhesive paper and cut this out. Repeat these steps for your apple. (Note- You are tracing the letter on to the paper on the wrong side of the fabric, so when you flip it over, the image will be reversed. In the pictures below, the “M” is the same either way, but if your letter is not symmetrical, such as a “C”, be sure to mirror it, so the letter reads correctly from the right side of the fabric.)
Sewing the Appliqués
Lay all your pieces out on your front bodice to make sure you have them placed where you would like them. First, starting with your apple, take it to your ironing board, remove the paper backing and apply per the adhesive instructions. Then you will take it to your sewing machine and sew it in place. I use a shortened straight stitch and get as close to the edge as possible. (Tip- make sure to go slow and don’t pull the fabric around the turns, lift the presser foot and slightly turn around each corner.) Repeat this for both the apple stem and letter.
You are all done!
Finish your top per the pattern instructions and enjoy your new personalized shirt with back to school appliqué!
Happy sewing!
