How to applique with a sewing machine (sewing on knits)

Here's how to applique with a sewing machine on knits. Learn what knit fabrics are best for applique. Applique is a great way to turn a plain t-shirt into something you actually want to wear, and this easy sewing tutorial is just what you need to create your own custom tees that'll really make a statement. Let your creativity shine through with this sewing project.
Read the full tutorial here: elizabethmadet...
Take my beginning sewing class Self-Reliant Sewing: elizabethmadet...

[@myralorraine]

Thanks Elizabeth! I really like this method! And I love the end results of your T-shirt! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@ElizabethMadeThisSEW]

Thanks Myra!

[@MadeByPam]

Would love to see how you'd do this on a coverstitch machine also.

[@ElizabethMadeThisSEW]

I'm considering something like that for my knits class I have planned.

[@janiceharrison8397]

@@ElizabethMadeThisSEW please do!

[@lorlor2831]

This looks really fun. Thank you 😊

[@ElizabethMadeThisSEW]

That it is! You'll enjoy it!

[@christinagottesman7264]

I’ve done this technique before (on sweatshirts) but used heat n bond light instead of the soft stretch you used. I had trouble with the fabric waving after I stitched it down. Would the soft stretch solve this issue?

[@ElizabethMadeThisSEW]

Both HnB light and Soft Stretch are appropriate and are for stabilizing the fabric while you stitch. The Soft Stretch really just has a different hand when applied--it's must less crunchy than the regular HnB light, which I prefer for wovens. If the fabric is waving, it's likely because you stretched the fabric while stitching. I find with my students that a lot of times people unintentionally drag their left hand as fabric is moving under the feed dogs which can definitely put strain on a knit, even a stable one like sweatshirting. Curve your left hand up on top (like you're playing piano), spreading your fingers so that just your fingertips are guiding the fabric and move your hands with the feed dogs. It's always better to stop and pivot your needle than to keep stitching continuously. I hope that helps!

[@annofarrell4468]

Elizabeth, can you suggest which sewing machine to buy? I am a beginner and would like to do lettering. Thank you so much, for sharing your work, you make it seem so simple, fun, and they turn out beautiful.

[@ElizabethMadeThisSEW]

My best advice would be to go to a sewing machine dealer and do some test drives. Ultimately, there's a lot of factors there to consider including your budget. I wouldn't worry too much about trying to get the "perfect" machine when you're just getting going. The machine that is solidly built and has enough features that you'll actually use but that's simple enough that you'll want to use it regularly will do. I go over a lot of metrics for finding your best first machine in my beginner's class: elizabethmadethis.com/self-reliant-sewing/

[@annofarrell4468]

@@ElizabethMadeThisSEW Thank you so much, Elizabeth, I love this link. I'm pretty excited now to learn sewing.