NEW! Caravan Appliqué and Quilt Sewing Pattern

NEW! Caravan Appliqué and Quilt Sewing Pattern With the release of our Caravan appliqué and Quilt Sewing Pattern we're having a competition to see the best of the best Sew...

Using Lite Steam a Seam 2 with Sweet Pea Essentials Applique mat

These two products are a match made in heaven ! BRAND NEW Sweet Pea Essentials Applique mat and Lite Steam a Seam 2. Lite Steam a Seam 2 is a...

How to Use an Applique Mat

Our Sweet Pea Essentials Appliqué Mat measures 40cm x 60cm (15.75" x 23.5"). This appliqué mat will protect the surface of your iron and ironing board from that sticky fusible...

How to do a Raised Satin Stitch

There are a couple of key factors to getting a beautifully raised satin stitch from your sewing machine. The first key point is to ensure you have the correct foot...

How to Sew a Simple Double Border

The border of your embroidery project can make a huge different to the final look. Simple double borders can create a beautiful finish, so consider this tutorial when finishing off...

How to Store and Organise Fabric Scraps

In a room filled with neatly folded fabrics and colour coordinated threads you do not often give a second thought to off-cuts or scrap fabric. They're generally all shoved into...

How to Make Your Own Santa Beard Photo Booth Party Props

These props are a bit of fun for a Christmas party and will surely help you with the celebration, festivity and fun of Christmas. These super cute props will add...

How to Cut Appliqué with a Cutting Machine

Our appliqué and sewing patterns are designed to be used in a variety of ways for a variety of projects. This is not a full tutorial on how to use...

How to Use an Appliqué Foot/ What is an Appliqué Foot

Appliqué Foot (Embroidery Foot) This foot is completely open in front of the needle, making the work clearly visible. There is also a wedge-shaped indentation under the foot, which allows...

How to Join the Santa Appliqué and Table Runner blocks

JOINING SANTA TABLE RUNNER PANELS Lay out your table runner in the order you would like it with the long side of the panels together. Place the first two panels...

How to make your own Backing

The backing is the layer visible when we turn over a quilt, placemat or mug rug to have a look at its reverse side. It's easy to make your own...

How to make a Quilt Sandwich

The quilt sandwich is made up of the quilt top, the batting, and the quilt's backing. The layers are secured together using a process known as basting. The steps you...

How to Sew Piping

Sewing piping can add a finished touch to the edges of cushions, bags and purses, quilts and even clothing. It is both decorative and functional as it protects edges and...

Simple Zipper Cushion Method - Sewing Tutorial

Sewing Piping to the Edge

Sewing piping can add a finished touch to the edges of cushions, bags and purses, quilts and even clothing. It is both decorative and functional as it protects edges and...

Starburst Quilting

Echo Quilting Tips

If you haven't tried Echo or Outline Stitching or if you're just looking to sharpen your skills, here are a few tips for you. If you have learnt some useful...

Make Your Own Light Box

A lightbox is a remarkably useful tool for any artist, designer, creative professional and craft lover looking to make the most out of their drawings, patterns and applique. Lightboxes are...

How to Make the Santa Applique Background

How to Embroider a French Knot and Petals

How to Sew Flange Binding / Peeper Binding Tutorial

How to Sew Borders with Mitered Corners

  Quilting is a difficult skill to master. Putting together a quilt in itself is an amazing accomplishment. However, to see a quilt with a border just gives your project that...

How to Resize the PDF and SVG Patterns

Our PDF files are US Letter size in layout and print successfully on A4 size paper as well. Some PDF files will require joining to ensure all perimeter lines print...

Sewing Patterns - An Explanation of the Files that are Provided

All of the appliqué and sewing patterns we provide are online and downloadable. This is a more modern approach to appliqué and sewing, and it does take some getting used...

Using a Light Board and Steam a Seam to Apply Appliqué Pieces onto Fabric

Using a light board for Appliqué is a wonderful idea and makes putting your appliqué together a very simple process. For this blog we are using our Free Teddy Bear...

How to Make Binding Out of the Quilt Backing

Getting Started with Applique

How to do Applique (Choose the method which is best for you) STEP 1 – Tracing and Cutting your fabric Applique pieces Here are some different methods METHOD - USING...

Free Bear Applique Tutorial Machine Blanket Stitch

The blanket stitch is a stitch traditionally used to reinforce the edge of thick materials. Depending on circumstances, it may also be called a "cable stitch" or a "crochet stitch"....

Machine Satin Stitch Around Applique

  Satin Stitch is made using a closely worked zig zag stitch with zig zag pressure foot. Here are a few tips on making a nearly perfect satin stitch: Use...

How to Stitch Around Applique Using a Sewing Machine - Getting Started With Applique

Once you have all of your appliquéd pieces pinned, fused or glued in place, get a thread to match or contrast your design and let's get started. If you want...

Iron On Interfacing for Opaque Fabric

Completing projects using white, thin or light fabrics for applique can be a little tricky. Using our Santa Table Runner as an example we'll show you a handy tip we've...

Cutting the Free Bear Applique Background

In this tutorial we will show you how to make the background of our Free Bear Applique pattern - Bear throwing flowers. First of all you need to cut out...

How to Sew the Patchwork Handbag

Part 1 Part 2

How to Use a Sewing Machines Decorative Stitches with Applique

Our sewing machines have a great number of stitches available and it is always nice to be able to test them out on a pattern like our Patchwork Handbag Applique...

How to Print an Applique Layout on Fabric, Using a Cutting Machine

How to Draw Applique pattern or layout on Fabric using Carbon Paper

Using a Lightbox to Trace Your Pattern Pieces and Layout onto Fabric

How to Use a Cutting Machine to Cut Fabric

How to Sew Trendy Bag Straps

While it is easy to purchase pre-made straps from craft stores, sometimes giving your project a personal touch makes all of the difference. In this tutorial we will show you...

Cutting Felt Applique Pieces Using a Pattern Printed by a Cutting Machine

Felt is a wonderful textile to sew. Unlike fabric, felt can be tricky to cut out exactly for applique. We chose to cut these pieces by hand for our Free...

Making a Zipper Pocket in the Lining of a Bag

Zipper pockets are amazing. A little spot to pop your keys, phone or little odds and ends that you need to reach without having to do a one handed deep...

How to Clean a Cutting Mat and Make it Sticky Again

A sticky mat is used with a cutting machine (eg Scan & Cut/Cricut/Silhouette) to hold your fabric in place while your pattern design is expertly cut. Like anything, the maintenance...

How to Make your Own Bias Tape to create a Stained Glass effect

Bias Tape - definition - a narrow strip of folded fabric cut from the bias of fabric. Bias tape is awesome and can be used in all manner of ways....

How to Do a Hand Sewn Blanket Stitch Around Applique

If you want to attach an applique by hand, a blanket stitch is a great way to add some texture and contrast to your final piece. Once you have all...

Applique Definitions and Terms You Should Know Before You Start Applique.

Here are a few little terms you might come across while beginning your new adventure into the world of Machine Applique. We'll start with some simple terms just to get...

Different Stitches for Machine Applique

 Let's talk stitches. This is the most important part of applique as this will ensure your projects last the test of time. Just gluing/fusing your applique pieces to your background...

Fused Applique

Fused Applique Most appliqué starts with cutting and preparing shapes to be placed on a background fabric for stitching. The technique used depends on the appliqué method. Fused Applique is...

Applique Essential Supplies

Starting a new hobby is exciting, and machine applique is one of the best. At least we think so anyway. Getting together some of the little bits and bobs you...

What is Applique?

When most people think about applique, visions of patched elbowed jackets on professors and coloured knee patches on children’s jeans spring to mind. In the context of sewing, applique is...

What is Applique and Applique Techniques

Applique (pronounced app-lee-KAY) is a French word that refers to the addition of small pieces of fabric onto a larger one to make a pattern or design by means of...