Multi-Layer Flower (Applique)

Multi-layer applique flowers are the perfect way to bring a stitch of dimension to your projects and home decor. Follow along with our step-by-step project instructions to learn more about constructing this type of machine embroidery design.

When you download a multi-layer applique flower design you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files and the others are dieline files marked with the letters "DL". Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape and size.

Open and print each dieline file using embroidery software. If you do not have embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines.

For the petal pieces, spray the back of each printed dieline with temporary adhesive. Smooth them onto the right side of the felt.

Then cut both petal pieces out of felt following the dieline shape. Remove the paper dieline after cutting.

For the flower center, spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive, and smooth it onto the wrong side of the chosen fabric. Then spray and place the paper dieline on the right side of the fabric piece.

Cut the center piece out of both the adhered fabric and stabilizer, following the shape of the printed dieline.

Before embroidering, spray a piece of stabilizer larger than the embroidery with temporary adhesive. Then smooth it onto the wrong side of whatever fabric or object you are embroidering the design onto. In this example, we are using a medium weight cutaway stabilizer and gray flannel fabric.

To help with placement, a template of the design can be used. Print a template of the design using your embroidery software and position it as desired on the fabric. Once in position, mark the horizontal and vertical axis points using a fabric marking tool. Then use a ruler to connect or extend these marks. Make sure the center point of the design is marked as well.

Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together firmly. If using a template, make sure to match the drawn axis lines up with the vertical and horizontal center points on the hoop.

Attach the hoop onto the machine and load the embroidery file (not the dieline) onto the machine. Use a 75/11 sharp sewing needle instead of an embroidery needle. The sharp sewing needle has a finer point and it will make smaller perforations in the stabilizer. Then embroider the design.

The first thing to embroider will be the "back petal dieline". This will sew small makers to show where to place the cut fabric pieces on the fabric.

After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the design. Spray the wrong side of the back petal dieline with temporary adhesive. Carefully smooth it into place following the sewn dielines. Each dieline should sit perfectly along the edge of the fabric and be in between each individual petal. Felt can stretch and warp as you handle it, so if some petals don't seem to be matching up, gently lift a few petals and shift how the fabric is laying to help it line up better.

Then place the hoop back on the machine and embroider the "back petal tackdown". This tackdown will sew the back petal piece in place on the fabric.

Some designs have multiple applique pieces, and others have only one piece of applique. If your design has multiple pieces, continue onto the next step. If your design only has one applique piece, embroider any remaining steps after the tackdown. Then skip ahead to the last step about trimming the stabilizer.

If working with a flower design, the "front petal dieline" will sew. To make these dielines easier to see, make sure to sew them in a thread color different than the color of the back petal piece

After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the design. Spray the wrong side of the front petal dieline with temporary adhesive. Then carefully smooth it into place following the sewn dielines. Each dieline should sit perfectly along the edge of the fabric and be in between each individual petal. Felt can stretch and warp as you handle it, so if some petals don't seem to be matching up, gently lift a few petals and shift how the fabric is laying to help it line up better.

Carefully check and adjust the positioning of each individual front piece petal. Each petal needs to be centered between the two adjacent back piece petals. If they are not centered well enough, the embroidery that sews down the center of each petal will be off.

Once you are sure of the petal alignment, place the hoop back on the machine and embroider the "front petal tackdown". This tackdown will sew the front petal piece in place on the fabric.

Some designs have an applique center and some do not. If your design has an applique center, continue onto the next step. If your design does not have an applique center, follow the color change sheet and embroider the rest of the design. Then skip ahead to the step about unhooping and trimming the stabilizer.

After the petal pieces are in place, if your design has an applique center, the "flower center dieline" will sew. This will be one simple shape showing where to place the center fabric piece.

After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the design. Spray the stabilizer side of the flower center dieline with temporary adhesive. Then carefully smooth it into place following the sewn dielines.

Place the hoop back on the machine, and embroider the "flower center tackdown". This tackdown will sew the flower center piece in place on the fabric.

Then follow the color change sheet and embroider the rest of the design. All the inner details will embroider as well as any final borders along the edge of the flower center.

Once the design has finished embroidering, flip the design over, and trim the stabilizer as desired. If the fabric is sheer at all, the edge of the stabilizer can sometimes be seen from the front side of the fabric. To hide this, you can either leave the stabilizer across the whole back of the fabric, or you can carefully trim it as close to the design as possible where it will be less noticeable.