I put this appliqué tutorial together to show everyone the basics. I am explaining both the raggy and satin stitch. In a satin stitch appliqué the raw edges are completely covered with a large stain stitch and in a raggy appliqué (depending on the fabric used) the raw edges are left out to fray giving a completely different look.

I love raggy appliqué. In my opinion it is the best option for embroidering on knit material, it is so much more flexible. In my raggy tutorial I use just a cotton fabric so you can see the cuteness of the raw frayed edges. Using knit or felt, in place of the cotton, the edges will not fray.

small appliqué scissors

For either appliqué the only necessity is (my opinion) a small pair of scissors. These help you cut the fabric as close as possible to the tack down stitch.

Hoop with the appropriate stabilizer and either hoop your fabric or do a fix stitch to keep it in place.

 

 

dieline

 

When you start the design it will begin with a dieline. A dieline is a simple stitch on your fabric that indicates where you place the appliquéd fabric.

 

 

 

 

appliqued fabric

 

Just cut an approximately sized square and place it over the dieline.

 

 

 

 

 

tack down stitch

Next, your machine will prompt you to change the thread color, this is not necessary. It is programed this way to make your machine stop so that you can add the appliqué fabric. Then the machine will stitch a tack down. The tack down stitch is a strong outline of the finished design.

 

trimming applique

 

 

 

Next, trim the fabric as close to the tack down stitch as possible. This step is pretty important because if you do not cut very close the fabric might fray outside the satin stitch.

 

 

 

 

Completed applique

 

 

The next step is to follow the thread changes. And that's that.

 

 

 

 

Raggy Applique 

raggy applique

 

The raggy appliqué starts out similar to the satin stitch with a dieline and fabric placement over the dieline. Then instead of a tack down a (usually) decorative stitch is made, for this design it is a redwork stitch.

 

 

 

cutting raggy appliqué

 

 

 

Next, instead of cutting the fabric close to the stitch leave enough for the fabric to fringe or fray.

 

 

 

 

 

raggy applique

 

 

 

Now fray the edges. I use the tip of my scissors and rub along the edges.

 

 

 

raggy applique

 

 

Next follow the thread changes and it's all done! When it's completed it helps to rub a lint roller over it to pick up the frayed fabric bits.