For the Business of Apparel Decorating
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56 || P R I N T W E A R S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 7 be matte, shiny, or textured. If it is a woven fabric, it may be so tightly woven that the thread lines don't even show. While you are adding creativity to the finish of the appliqué, think about chang- ing the color to add yet another dimension. Remember, a miss is as good as a mile when dealing with color. If you can't match exact- ly and figure in light reflection, don't bother. Put the stitching to work in a different hue, and that design will sing a little louder. The sad fact is that most choose a hue as close to the appliqué as possible, wanting the appli- qué and outline to match. The way I look at it, if this is not going to happen (and it isn't; it will always look like an outline) why not make it work in an artful way? Don't follow the rules; bend them. FINAL THOUGHTS While artful appliqué combines embroi- dery and something else, that something doesn't have to be more fabric. Like so many things in our embroidery world, it's the possibilities that make the end product ARTFUL APPLIQUÉ SOME EXTRA HINTS APPLIQUÉ OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS. HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR CREATIONS ALL THE MORE ARTISTIC. • Consider putting batting between appliqué and garment to add dimension. Craft foam, a product different from dimensional foam for raised embroidery, is available at local stores and works well here. • Pre-shrink fabrics made with natural fibers. • Use washable fabric on washable goods so the results aren't dry-clean only. • Use iron-on interfacing after pre-washing any fabric that puckers easily. • Don't use satin stitched where appliqué pieces will be covered by an overlapping piece. The result will look smoother. • Underlay creates loft; don't be afraid to use more. • Try holographic material partnered with metallic thread. • Be creative with fabric. Try fleece for appliqué on fleece shirts. • Add fusible medium weight interfacing to prevent frayed edges and unraveling. • Use strong, thin mylar for appliqué. Cover with a low-density fill to create the illusion of metal - lic thread. It perforates well and can be easily torn away. Press with a cool iron and pressing cloth. • Avoid very small pieces. Make them larger than a 50-cent piece. Avoid sharp pointed areas. • Instead of just stitching around the edge, try stitching across the appliqué. Color is affected by the color that surrounds and the eye blends the colors that it sees. A yellow background with a blue mesh overlay will say green to the beholder. You can use tulle (netting) over your ap - pliqué as a means of creating visual color blending. Use black tulle over any appliquéd fabrics and add deliberate stitching to create shadows. This technique can also be used to create more natural skin tones. • Use colorful metallic threads for even more zing and consider using something fancy for the underlying appliqué. Many fabrics have metallic touches or shiny finishes. Combine those with a snazzy top mesh of embroidery and create something different and eye-catching—for the same amount of time. • Regular vinyl can be used to imitate wine or martini glasses, gold fish bowls, and more. Add some whimsy with a stitched olive under the martini glass or add goldfish charms in the bowl. • Wonderful papers allow printing on fabric that can be used for appliqué. Candy printed letters can be used for an appliqué for a sweets shop apron. Sports balls can add pizazz to school apparel. Baby items can become even more charming. Photos can be used, when appropri - ate—so personal! • Try reverse appliqué. Apply fabric to the reverse of the ground material and then cut though the face. Turn under and stitch raw edges, exposing what is underneath. This is a great way to create a double-sided design—perfect for designing flags and banners. • Shadow appliqué covers a piece of colored fabric with a piece of organdy with edge stitching added. You can mix colors visually by choosing a bold base fabric and a piece of colored or - gandy. You can also add dimensional appliqué, depending on the design, by stitching items on the surface of the under-fabric before covering it with the organdy. Use extra underlay to add height to any embroidered additions and they will show through the organdy even better.