applique instructions - Free Embroidery Kreative Kiwi Embroidery Designs

Never done applique on your embroidery machine!

Its not hard, and you can get some fantastic applique designs that look like you have spent hours at your machine, but in reality have stitched up really quickly.

Please feel free to download our free Helicopter Applique design and try it. Download instructions in PDF

We have deliberately picked a design that uses more than 1 'fabric', so you are able to see how the more complex designs can work.

Color Layer Worksheet

When you purchase a Kreative Kiwi Embroidery Applique design, we will always include a Color Layer Worksheet that shows the different colors/stops for your machine. The main thing to remember with applique, is that the designs are created showing thread changes, to ensure that your machine will stop, and allow you to take the appropriate action. You do not have the change your theads, until you get to the main embroidery design/satin stitch.

(just follow the step by step example below, and it will all become clear)

Stabilise and hoop your background fabric as per your usual methods.
Thread machine with neutral thread* In my example photos, I have used a contrasting thread so you can actually see the stitched lines, normally I would use a cream thread to match the background fabric.

Sew Color 1 Placement Line

Place scrap of fabric over the stitched area

Sew color 2 - Stitchdown line

Remove hoop from machine - using small sharp scissors, cut around the stitched lines

(in this example, you need to cut out the window in the middle of the helicopter)

Sew color 3 - Placement line for 2nd fabric

Place 2nd color fabric scrap over placement lines
Sew color 4

Remove hoop from machine - using small sharp scissors, cut around the stitched lines

Sew color 5, which will 'tack down' - zig zag around all the raw edges to ensure your material does not fray.

At this point, depending on what your garment/product will be used for, you can put fray check around all raw edges of the applique. I have made a lot of T-Shirts (get washed alot) with applique, and have not had a problem with material fraying, but if you have any doubt, put fray check around the edges and wait for it to dry completely before carrying on with the design.

Now you are ready to complete the embroidery design as per the color worksheet, changing and matching threads. Easy huh!!

Quality embroidery designs and patterns. Some free embroidery designs and patterns available.