Letters applique is one of the easiest methods to create something from almost nothing in no time.
Placing a monogram, a meaningful word or a name on a pouch, pillow cover, or quilt is a creative and fast way to transform a common object into a special one.
Usually, when using fusible web the main applique steps are these:
1. Print out the letters of the size that you like.
2. Reverse the printed sheets with letters and tape them on a window or light screen. You need to reverse the letter so it reads the correct way on the finished item.
3. Place over the printed letters the fusible web with the paper side up and draw around the needed letters.
4. Cut the letter shape out from the fusible web leaving a small margin around the edge.
5. Take the fabric you want to cut the letters from and place it with the wrong side up on the ironing board. Carefully place the fusible web letters on top of the fabric. Press according to manufacturer's instructions.
6. Leave the fabric with the fused letters to cool for a couple of minutes.
7. Cut precisely on the pencil lines that you drew.
8. Remove the paper backing from all the letters.
9. Place the fabric letters onto the background fabric, coated side down.
10. When you're happy with the placement of the letters, iron them in place.
11. Sew the letters in place. You could use different types of stitches for this: straight, blanket stitch, zigzag, satin stitch.
If your first 3 steps are these:
1. Print out the letters of the size that you like.
2. Tape the printed sheets in NORMAL position (not reversed) on a window or light screen.
3. Place over the printed letters the piece of FABRIC with the RIGHT SIDE UP and draw around the needed letters.
Next, you could proceed as follows:
4. Take the piece of fabric with the drawn letters (in normal position) on its right side and place it with the WRONG SIDE up on the ironing board. Cut a piece of the fusible web according to the fabric piece dimension.
Carefully place the fusible web piece on top of the fabric. Press according to manufacturer's instructions.
5. Leave the fused fabric to cool for a couple of minutes.
6. Gently cut inside the pencil edges of the letters. This way, you will get rid of the pencil traces.
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| the wrong side of the fabric letters with the paper backing of the fusible web still attached |
If you still have some visible lines, do not worry. The stitch for securing the edges will cover them.
Next, you will follow the steps of the usual method:
7. Remove the paper backing from all the letters.
8. Place the fabric letters onto the background fabric, coated side down and iron them in place.
9. Sew the letters in place.
When choosing the letters for applique I would recommend a quite simple shape as this will be easier to both cut and sew.
If you are thinking about having some fun adding words to your projects, you might consider the Printable set of letters I drew.
The pdf file contains 26 printable capital letters in normal orientation and reversed, grouped in 3 sets according to the height of the letters (measured from top to bottom):
- 2"(5 cm), 2 ½"(6.5 cm) and 3"(7.6 cm) height.
For this pouch I printed the set of letters of 2" (5 cm) height, shrinking to 60% to get letters of about 1 ⅛ " (3 cm) height.
Enjoy your sewing hours!
Have a beautiful day, my dears!
