I took these pictures the other day as I sampled the Applique Cafe (not listed yet) zig zag VW car. I did a post once before on layering fabrics in an applique, but this is a better post on what to do when your applique has *layers*. It’s not NECESSARY for you to do yours this way, but it’s the way I do it so I wanted to share!
First… as you can see I’ve already sewn the marking, tackdown & zig zag stitches for the body of the car (step 1, 2 and 3) and for the tires (step 4, 5 and 6). This would be step 7 in my applique process for this design. It sewed the marking stitch for the right window.
As you can see below, I’m using some blue handled embroidery scissors that came with my machine. They are dull as can be, but I still use them for steps such as this! With the scissors at an angle I just puncture through the fabric, then trim inside that marking stitch. I usually use my 4″ curved Gingher embroidery scissors for trimming.
I’m now ready to lay my window fabric down (which has Heat N Bond Lite on it) for the right window tackdown stitch (step 8). The whole reason for this post… you COULD layer the floral fabric on top of the green polka dot car fabric, which is totally fine if that’s what you want to do. However, if your bottom fabric is darker than your top fabric, and you think the bottom fabric might show through, then follow these steps so that now the only fabric under your floral window is white shirt! Are you following me?
Skip ahead… I did not take pictures of every single step. Sorry! It did the tackdown for window 1 (step 8), I trimmed around the tackdown and it sewed the zig zag stitching around the right window (step 9). Below, marking stitch for left window is sewn (step 10 for this design).
Again, I punctured through the window fabric with my blue scissors (at an angle) and trimmed inside the marking stitch, leaving only the white garment underneath. In this case I used 2 layers of stabilizer (sample) but it would be the shirt in most cases. (I do a lot of my website samples on stabilizer) NOTE: You do have to be careful as to not poke a hole in the shirt. That’s why I go in at an angle!
As you can see below I put down my orange gingham fabric for the left window. It’s now ready for the tackdown stitch for this window (step 11).
Again, I didn’t photo every step. I trimmed around the window and it finished up with the zig zag stitching around the left window (step 12). The car is now complete!!
My kids had so much fun with my bag-o-buttons! Here I laid down 2 orange buttons in the tires and it adds a ton to the design! I would have sewn the buttons on by hand had this been an actual sample shirt.
So there you go! Here is one way to do an applique where fabrics are to be layered on top of one another. Like I said, it’s not necessary but this is what I do. It works especially well when your bottom fabric is much darker and liable to show through the top fabric.
YEAH! My first *REAL* applique post! I’m still getting the hang of WordPress so bare with me! I hope this post was helpful!
As always, Rosemary, I enjoyed your tutorial! Thanks once again for Applique This and that! It has been a lifesaver for me and many others!
Looks great, Rosemary!
Will there be a satin option with the design?
And can you tell us where you got the floral fabric? Just adorable! SO CUTE! Love the button additions!!
Right now it’s only in ZZ! I think the floral fabric came from TJ’s Fabrics? I honestly can’t remember but I have it in 2 colors. I’ll try to remember…
Hi Rosemary –
I was wondering if you have ever posted a tutorial on using the fast frames? I have read about them, but cannot grasp the concept. I use the clamp hoops for bags, but the regular hoops for all other items.
Thank you, I love your new blog!
Christy
That is a great idea! I will work on that for a new post.
Thank you!
Rosemary,
I have just started doing appliques this way (I’ve always created and done mine the old fashioned way – these are so much fun and easier). Thanks so much for your tutorials. They have helped me trmendously!
Thank you so much for sharing your tips of the trade, I look forward to your blogs, I have learned so much from you. I have taken your advice and just purchased a new PR650, I think I am going to love it!!!!!
Question: Can you set the machine to stop automatically between the marking, tackdown and zig zag stitches or do you have to watch closely and stop manually between each of these steps? Thank you again for being so very helpful.
Yes you will program in stops in between these steps (marking, tackdown, satin). Once I have all of my fabric down, I let it continue to sew out the rest of the design without stopping!
Thanks so much for this post, I am new to appliqueing, and layering fabrics was one question that had gone unanswered until now! By the way, my hometown is Dothan, AL, and I miss it terribly! Alabama girl to the core, glad to see Enterprise in your posts, love the Wiregrass!
Thanks for this post! I hadn’t thought of cutting away the darker fabric underneath!! A lightbulb moment for me!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I am new to this and YOU are the first person who did this where I can understand what the heck I am doing. NOW I can buy all those appliques I find and want to buy, but had no idea how to do them. It was well worth staying up past midnight on a church night.
God BLESS!!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I am new to this and YOU are the first person who did this where I can understand what the heck I am doing. NOW I can buy all those appliques I find and want to buy, but had no idea how to do them. It was well worth staying up past midnight on a church night.
God BLESS!!!
I am a “Newbie” Do you remove your hoop each time you change fabric, so you can trim? The machine remembers where to start?
Thank you for your blog!
Yes, take the hoop off the machine to trim, but do not unhoop the shirt!