Raw edge artificial flower applique

1. Gather your materials
- Choose a background fabric. I prefer ones that have some movement - colour but not too much so that it's distracting. Iron on HEAVY facing - if the fabric is flimsy - consider 2 layers.
- Choose your thread. I used up all the dog-ends on the bobbins - waste not and all. I like there to be some interest with the stitching - if you do this figure out a suitable bottom thread.
- Choose lower end flowers, not fancy silk ones (unless you already have them!) they should have some substance. Choose those that have some colour variation with-in the 'bunch' and substance. You need may quite a number of petals or leaves depending on the size you are working with.
- Get your sewing machine out - give it a good clean (an oil if needed) and change the needle. Put the darning foot on.


2. Disassemble the flowers or leaves, there will be dots of glue, wire and plastic stoppers to contend with - you may need pliers.

Remove any spines or plastic shaping things, the spines come off if you go from the thinnest part to the thickest - a thumb nail does the trick.

3. If you are sewing individual flowers down then think about placement and do 2 or 3 at a time.

If an all over - layered look is the outcome, then put on few pieces, sew them down and repeat. I didn't cut the threads till the 'layer' was finished. Then I cut them en mass.

You need to put the feed dogs down and play with tension before starting on the main piece. There is no need to tie ends off - you can pull the threads to the back before you trim the threads if you prefer. Build up the layers, change the thread colours, there are no rules.

Building up the layers

Tada! finished.

This one I cut into postcards. Follow the link and there are more examples.

Want one?