Applique

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Applique using PED

(Created Nov 7th 1999)

There are a number of techniques that can be employed to create an applique design using the PED / Wiz / Palette. This note is what I consider the "Standard" version
There are a few shortcuts which can be used and this note will explain one of them briefly at the end.

Brother have included special colours in the palette of the PED labelled "Applique Fabric", "Applique Position" and "Applique". You can use these to identify the various stages of the applique.

I would suggest that if you are interested in this technique, you print off this page for future reference

There are 3 stages to creating an applique design

Create your applique design (ie. the actual sewn out part) using either Design Centre, then importing into Layout and Edit, or by creating it directly in L & E. You can also import a suitable design from a Floppy disk, HDD or CD.
Your applique design should have a satin stitch border on all edges where there will be the cut edge of the applique fabric.

Create the locating outline on the main fabric
In L & E, select either the freehand line and fill tool (set to "Open Path" and "Running Stitch" (one run) or the Manual Punch line tool, set the colour to "Applique Position".
Carefully click your way around the outline, staying in the centre of the width of the satin stitch border, make your clicks close together on tight corners so as to keep the new outline as accurate as possible. Double click to finish.
Hint: - Start at the top of the design, and when you get all the way around, create a jump to about 1" above the designthen finish with a single stitch (This is easy in Manual Punch - with the freehand line it will be necessary to stop at the top and then make a new tiny stitch above the design) This will step your hoop forward allowing you to place the applique in position without it getting obstructed by the foot.
Select the new outline and Copy it (Use command Edit - Copy)
Set this new outline to Sew First, it will disappear behind the final design, this is correct.

Create the shape for the applique fabric
Still in L & E, Use command Edit - Paste to create a replica of the previous running stitch outline.
(ideally, this outline should be marginally smaller than the previous one, thus allowing for a very small cutting allowance. should you want to do this, select the outline and drag a corner handle very slightly slightly toward its centre)

Select this new outline, Set its colour to "Applique Fabric" and set it to sew first. It too will disappear beneath the final design.

You now have a design consisting of 3 parts, The first to stitch will be an outline, coloured "Applique Fabric". The second will also be an outline coloured "Applique Position" and the third will be the actual design. (If it is a single colour, you may want to colour it "Applique", otherwise it will have the colour sequencing that you created or imported)

Save your design.

Stitching Out:

Hoop a piece of the applique fabric, load any suitable top thread colour and sew out the first colour only (Applique Fabric")

Remove the fabric from the hoop. CAREFULLY cut around the outline, as close as possible. Should you cut the outline slightly, DONT PANIC, most times you will never notice it once it is sewn over

Hoop the article on which you are going to applique, set the hoop in the correct position.

Sew out the second colour ("Applique Position"), using any suitable top thread colour
DO NOT REMOVE THE FABRIC FROM THE HOOP

Using double sided quilters tape, fusible web, or a suitable glue, carefully stick the cut out applique fabric piece onto the main fabric using the "Applique position" stitching to locate where you will stick the applique fabric piece

Stitch out the remainder of the design, this will result in the satin stitched outline hiding the edges of the applique fabric and the 2 guide outlines from the earlier steps.

Remove your garment from the hoop, trim off any jump threads and wear it with pride...

Variation :-

In the design stage, create only a single running stitch outline (suggest using colour "Applique Position") Set this outline to sew first.

When sewing out, initially hoop the MAIN fabric. Stick a piece of the applique fabric, larger than the design will finally be, onto the top of the main fabric. The applique fabric can be stuck on the edges with "normal" sticky tape as the outline stitching, once done, will secure the applique fabric to the main
Sew out the single outline stitching , Remove the hoop from the Machine
DO NOT REMOVE THE FABRIC FROM THE HOOP

Carefully cut the Applique fabric only, around the outside of the stitching, so leaving a correctly shaped piece of applique fabric sewn to the main fabric.

Put the hoop back on the machine and sew out the remainder of the design

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