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Cost: $ $ $ $ $

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Time: 1h00

Buffi's Dress Design
Sometimes you find a fabric with a great print, but the allover look is just too much. Sure, you could just use the print as lining, but what good is that? You want everyone to see it! This is where appliqué comes in. Appliqué involves sewing and/or fusing a piece of fabric onto another fabric. I recommend using a fell stitch instead of adhesives — that’s just cheating!

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Storey Publishing published her project Outdoorsy Appliqué 27 Feb 12:27

Step 1
Appliqué (Fell) Stitch

Also called the fell stitch, this stitch is best for joining appliqué to a dress. If the appliqué fabric ravels, fold the edge 1/8" to the wrong side and stitch through the fabric fold. With the appliqué placed on the dress:

1 At the edge of the appliqué, push the needle in from the back of the dress and up through all the layers.

2 Turn the needle and sew back down through the dress fabric, right below where it came out of the appliqué fabric.

3 B ring the needle back up through the appliqué, about 1/8" from the first stitch.

3 Continue to work these small stitches to secure the appliqué.
Step 2
The first step is to select and cut out your appliqué patch. Look through your scraps of fabric for a floral motif or several motifs. Or, cut your own shapes from an interesting section of fabric. As you cut out your patch, leave a 1/8" edge for a seam allowance if desired. (You only need the seam allowance if you prefer a clean-finish. I like a raw edge, but it depends on your style and the project.) Baste your patch in the desired placement on your dress.
Step 3
For a clean-finished appliqué, press under the edges of the appliqué and hand-sew through the folded edge. Or, baste the appliqué in place and use the tip of your needle as you sew the appliqué in place to fold under the edge.
Step 4
Alternatively, you can hand-sew around the entire edge of each appliqué using the fell (appliqué) stitch (see below).
Tip: To apply an appliqué in the middle of your dress or any area that’s hard to reach, try using an embroidery hoop around the appliqué to hold the fabric taut.