Tutorial: Satin Stitch Applique
- At March 25, 2013
- By Kelly
- In Tutorials and Sew Alongs
- 0
Today’s tutorial was created by Krista, a member of Sewing Mamas!
Here is how I do the satin stitch applique.
What you will need:
-Fabrics of your choice
-Heat N Bond lite
-pencil
-scissors
-stabilizer
-iron
-and sewing machine, of course
First take the piece of fabric you’d like to make the applique out of and iron the Heat n Bond Lite onto the back. I usually lay my piece out and cut around it, then turn it over and iron it on.
Cut out the shapes you want to applique. In this case I am doing 3 pieces (2 for the front of a shirt and one for the back) Here the pencil comes in handy to draw an exact shape on the paper backing, and you can also trace something on the paper part before ironing it to the fabric too…just remember the shape will be reversed when you put it on your item.
Tip: don’t cut out the exact shapes until after you iron on the Heat N Bond Lite, it makes it so much easier to cut it out afterwards and not have to line up exact shapes.
Peel off the paper backing and position it to where you like it. Then iron them on.
Tip: When you have one overlapping the other, sometimes it’s good to cut away the excess so that only the edge overlaps. This is great for when you use lighter fabrics and can see through them and also keeps it so it’s not so bulky.
Next I cut a piece of stabilizer and place it under all of the fabrics (I use a tearaway kind) Pin around the edges to hold it in place.
Now it’s time to sew!
The satin stitch is just the zigzag stitch. You can make it as wide and as long a stitch as you like. (for these I used a stitch width of 2.5 and length of almost 0, I like mine tight together) I know all machines are not the same so play on a scrap and see what you like. I start on the outside edge and put my needle right next to the edge of the applique.
When I stitch on a curve, I go a couple of stitches and, with my needle in the fabric, I lift my presser foot and slightly turn the fabric, then repeat. Tip:for an outside cuve (like I’m doing) stop your needle on the outside when turning…for an inside curve, stop your needle on the inside.
Tip: for straight square type stitches-when you get to a corner you want to go a couple of stitches past the edge and then turn. (sorry the pic is kinda hard to see)
Tip:when working with more than one piece, I always start stitching the one that is underneath if possible. That makes it so the edges get covered by the last one you stitch.
And last I take the pins out and tear away the paper stabilizer.
All done!
Looks simple enough, right? Thanks to Krista for her hard work!
Happy Sewing!
Kelly
Tutorial: Reverse Applique
- At March 11, 2013
- By Kelly
- In Tutorials and Sew Alongs
- 0
This sewing tutorial was created for Sewing Mamas by Katie, aka that*darn*kat. Check out her etsy shop, that*darn*kat, for great patterns, including a fabulous pattern for children’s undies!
First, choose your design. For a first try, I recommend a simple shape (the toes on my froggie were a bit tricky, so try something with fewer turns at first, then you can progress to more difficult images). I use google image search when I’m looking for ideas, I search, for example, "frog silhouette" and see what comes up. If you find the perfect image, use that, or you can draw an image inspired by what you find.
Here is my shirt front, contrast fabric, and the froggie I drew (I drew one half, folded the paper and cut it out, so it’s symmetrical). I cut out my image so I can sew around it, but you could put it on tissue paper or the like and sew through it, you’d just have to pick the paper out of the stitches later.
I place the contrast fabric behind my shirt front, making sure there’s plenty of room around the edges, then place the image on top of the shirt front, pinning everything in place. I like to center the image from side to side, but place it more to the top of the shirt.
Here you can see the contrast fabric pinned on behind:
Now, you’ll use a fairly short stitch length to sew around your image. I started at the froggie’s "armpit", stopping with needle down to pivot at any turns:
Here’s another shot, a bit further around the frog. Stop to take out/reposition any pins that are in your way, but be careful not to skew your template from where it started.
Whew! I made it all the way around!
And, after I take out the pins/template:
Here’s what it looks like from the back, you can see the stitching better here:
Now, I use a small, sharp pair of scissors to cut out the image from my shirt front, just inside the stitching line. Since knits do not ravel, I leave the edges unfinished. I like the vintage look the edges get when they roll a bit after being washed.
Start by pulling the layers apart and snipping a little in the middle. You do not want to cut through your contrast fabric, so be careful!
I put my hand behind the contrast fabric while I’m cutting, so I know I’m only cutting the shirt panel (black fabric here):
Now, I’m done trimming out my applique! Stop and admire your work:
On the back, you’ll want to trim away the extra contrast fabric:
Now, sew up your shirt, and wait for the compliments to start rolling in!
Thanks, Katie! Looks great, doesn’t it? I especially love that this is something that can be used for sewing for boys and girls. So often we focus on the cute girly things with the frills and the ruffles, it’s nice to have fun things for boys, too!
Do you have some spring sewing that this would add interest to? Tell me! And I’d love to see it in the Runway!
Happy Sewing!
Kelly
Are you sewing? Week One of the Stash Game is coming to a close!
Just a bit of time left for those sewing in my timezone for the first week of the February Stash Game!
Hopefully those of you who are playing are doing better than I am. I managed to finish this, though –
I haven’t washed it since I finished it, so the lettuce edge is going to curl more once it runs through the laundry, but I’ll let my sister do that.
How are you doing? Sewing up a storm? If you’re just stopping in, feel free to join, you can just start wherever you are. :) Here’s a link to more info in the forum.
Happy Sewing!
Kelly
A little bit of sewing
- At February 06, 2013
- By Kelly
- In Embroidery
- 6
I’ve been working on the forums lately, and making bad faces at my embroidery machine as I tried to get this applique to stitch out nicely.
This one’s still not perfect, but after multiple stitch-outs, I’m calling it good. I’d also like to get it in the mail to my niece while it might still fit her. :)
So, today’s question – turn under and hem the sleeves and bottom or lettuce edge them?
Happy Sewing!
Kelly