Discover the joys of specially digitized applique machine embroidery designs that use two hoopings and batting to achieve extra dimension and a "puff" effect. Project instructions below will walk you through the process of re-creating this type of applique design.
Supplies
- Scissors
- Temporary spray adhesive (such as Gunold KK100)
Tools
- Fabric - something light and flexible to show the puff in this demonstration we used batik cotton.
- Cotton batting
- Embroidery thread
- Tearaway stabilizer
- Cutaway stabilizer
Designs like this will include at least two hoopings. "Hooping A" will become "Piece A" and will sew all the initial details first. "Hooping B" becomes the final design and gives this applique its puff effect.
To start, spray the back side of your cotton fabric with temporary spray adhesive, then smooth your fabric onto tearaway stabilizer. In this demonstration we used batik fabric.
Hoop the stabilizer and fabric together. Make sure that everything is hooped drum tight with no wrinkles.
Attach the hoop onto the machine and load the first hooping, "Piece A". Use a size 11 or 75/11 sharp sewing needle rather than an embroidery needle. A sharp sewing needle has a smaller, finer point than an embroidery needle. This will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer, providing more support.
Embroider the design. The first thing to embroider will be the inner details of the design.
The next color change will stitch the dieline. This dieline will be used later to cut the design out.
Remove the hoop from the machine and unhoop your fabric. Tear away the stabilizer from the backside of the design. After this is torn away this will help make the fabric more flexible and malleable for the batting.
Spray the wrong/backside of "Piece A" with temporary spray adhesive, then smooth it in place on top of cotton batting.
Cut around the stitched dieline. Set aside for now.
To begin "Piece B", hoop the piece of fabric you will be using for your finished project, layering it with a piece of cutaway stabilizer.
Attach the hoop to the machine and load the second part of the design. The first thing to stitch out will be a dieline. Unlike the previous dieline, this one will be used for placement.
After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine but to do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the back side of "Piece A" with temporary spray adhesive and carefully smooth it in place within the placement dieline shape.
Then return the hoop to the machine and continue to embroider the tackdown.
Follow the color change sheet to embroider the inner details.
Finish the design by sewing out the finishing border.
