Most crafters cringe at the thought of trying appliqué. Even accomplished quilt makers will avoid it at all costs. Finished appliqué work can look as if it is an art form that is hard to master; however, using a few techniques that are mentioned below, anyone can easily master the art of appliqué.

What is applique?

Applique is the art of creating fabric collages. A design or motif is created by stitching pieces of scrap fabric onto a piece of base, or background fabric. These pieces can be appliquéd by hand, or by using a zigzag satin stitch on a sewing machine.

The art of appliqué can be traced back to Europe in the days of the Middle Ages, but really flourished in Colonial America, where it came to stand as a symbol of neighborliness. Applique work was often done in groups, and finished works were used as gifts. Women would often create individual appliquéd quilt blocks that were joined to form a whole quilt. These quilts were used as gifts for friends, or for those in need.

While appliqué work is most commonly used to create quilt blocks, you can use the art of appliqué to embellish ordinary household items such as tablecloths, runners, pillowcases and even clothes.

Materials

Materials required for creating your own work of art in appliqué are inexpensive, and you can probably find most of them already around your house.

• Fabric

  Base, or background, fabric and fabric scraps, which you will use to create your design. Natural fabrics are the best choice, such as cotton, linen, wool and silk. Synthetic fabrics are hard to press, and can move around on you when you are sewing them.

• Thread

  You can use natural or synthetic thread. Six-strand embroidery cotton floss works well, and it is available in a variety of colors that can match just about any fabric.

• Tools

  Scissors, embroidery or sewing needles, thimble, tracing and carbon paper, ruler, steam iron, marking pen with fine tip.

For Hand applique you will also need freezer paper and a pair of tweezers.

For Machine applique you will need a sewing machine that has a zigzag stitch on it, an appliqué presser foot and a can of spray glue or iron-on fusible webbing.