I really like making appliques or embellishments to add to my art, especially cards. In the past, I’ve made them from photos and clipart you can see here. I’ve also made them from rubber stamped images here. Of course, I’ve made them from leaf prints here. But not from stencils until now! I am making these to add to those 40 flags I’m making for Project 2050.
I started by stenciling on fabric what I thought would make a good applique. I allow for plenty of space between images making the sewing easier.
Once the fabric was dry, I ironed it to heat set the paint. Then I ironed on the Woven Fuse, my current go-to stabilizer, but others would work.
I found this fabric I had stenciled years ago using DeColourant and decided to make the turtle into an applique too.
After adding the stabilizer, I sewed around the image a couple times, and cut it out. It was then ready to be sewn to my project. Here is the turtle on one of my flags.
I did find that a couple of the appliques needed a little more color before attaching them to the flags. Here I used water with my Inktense pencils.
Then once dry added them to the flags.
Here are a couple more.
My main reason for adding appliques to these flags was to cover the inside label. All of the flags have to have the labels attached. I tried to attached them by hand, but it was taking too long. I’ve completed 20 of the 40 flags so far, and I couldn’t see hand stitching them.
Here are the 20 flags finished. Not all of them have appliques, so I’ll have extras to add to other projects! You are only seeing one side of the flags. The 10 x 21 inch piece of fabric is sewn at the top allowing a half inch for hanging, making each flag 10 x 10 inches.
The next and final 20 will probably be pieced instead of stenciled. However, I’m taking a break and will be working on a couple other projects that have been waiting. So if you are looking for appliques or embellishments to add to your art, check out your favorite stencils. You might just find one that will be perfect. Thanks for dropping by.
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Nice job! Clever way to cover the label stitching, and I like the 3-dimensional look on the flags too!
These are terrific! May I ask if you are making them for a special project?
Judy, Thanks!
Norma, Thanks. Yes, I made those for those flags but also nice to have some extras to use especially on cards.
I am so impressed! I am still working on my first one, but doing a lot of hand embroidery. One BIG thing I learned from you is that the label goes on the INSIDE. I machine stitched mine on the outside, right in the middle of my design. Now I will pick them out and sew them on the inside.
Norma, Thanks. Yours will be lovely. I’m not spending the time you are. I’m glad you learned something from me!! Did I mention that when I contacted them, they said I could hand-sew the labels? No thanks – way too much work!