Wool Felt Applique is an easy relaxing stitching technique that utilizes minimal supplies and stitches. It is traditionally done using a blanket stitch and embroidery floss or perle cotton. Supplies needed: Design or pattern Wool felt, either squares or precut patterns Embroidery floss or perle cotton Embroidery needle, scissors, and pins 1. Position and secure your pieces. We like to use applique pins to secure our pieces but there are many techniques and tools available to the modern stitcher. a. Applique pins b. Basting glue c. Fusible products d. Magnets e. Tape If you choose to pin, slide your pin through your layers keeping the pieces as flat together as possible. 2. Threading your needle. We typically use a size 22 or 24 Chenille needles. These are thin, sharp needles with an eye large enough to thread size 8 perle cotton. The thread you choose can color coordinate with your fabrics or contrast. We tend to use perle cotton or floss depending on the project. 3. Blanket stitch appliqué requires a length of thread four to five times longer than the area you are going to stitch. Roughly “measure” your piece and cut your length of thread as four to five times longer than your measurement, thread your needle and tie a single loop knot at one end. 4. Begin your blanket stitch. Decide your stitch length and spacing and go! Some patterns will instruct you where to begin and which order to stitch things and some will not. Many beginner stitchers have difficulty with consistent stitch length. Our advice is to PRACTICE! There are many tricks out there to help you but, in the end, practice is how you get better. |
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