Applique tutorial...

I have a fun project for you today and the long awaited tutorial on my applique technique... thank you so much for your patience. Now before I get started I would like to mention that my Summer Card Set has been created for the 'Mega Product Swap' that has been happening all week between Little Yellow Bicycle, May Arts and Xyron. So don't forget to head over to their blogs for more inspiration from all three teams.

DESIGNED FOR | Little Yellow Bicycle
PROJECT | Summer Card Set

I usually do the applique technique with fabric but seeing as May Arts sent the most beautiful ribbons I thought I'd try and scale down the size of my design and give the ribbon a go. Must say... it was a little bit fiddly with the smaller pieces but I love the result.

STEP 1 | First things first you need to work out a simple design. This technique can get a little tricky if you try doing shapes that have too many intricate details so Keep It Simple! Also the further away your cut-out pieces are from each other the easier this technique becomes so keep that in mind when drawing up your idea.Trace your shapes onto the back of your cardstock and then cut them out and KEEP THEM! I've had to go fishing in the bottom of my rubbish bin far too many times so it's important to set those little cut-outs aside in a safe place.

STEP 2 | Using your safely guarded cut-outs, place them onto your padding (I use 5mm thick foam) and cut each piece. Another tip: leave the cut-out on top of the foam piece so you know which is which, especially if you have lots of shapes that are similar.

STEP 3 | Transfer your design onto a backing sheet of cardstock and then adhere your foam pieces using double sided tape.

STEP 4 | I'm so glad this little machine has made it's way to my craft stash because it is amazing for adding adhesive to the reverse side of fabric and makes the next step so much easier. However if you don't have a Xyron Create-a-sticker then just use strips of double sided tape.

STEP 5 | Trace your design onto the reverse side of your fabric and cut out leaving a minimum of 5mm around the edge. This is where you will have to be careful as you don't want too much overhang because it may show up in another section of your design, so you will have to do some careful trimming.

STEP 6 | Place your fabric cut-outs on top of your padding and gently press around the edges. Trim any excess that may show up in another panel of your cut-out but be careful not to cut off too much.

STEP 7 | Place your template back over the top of your panels and don't adhere until you have checked that everything is where it should be and you have done any last minute 'tucking in' of stray edges. Using a paper piercer gently pierce your stitching holes around the edge of the design.

STEP 8 | The stitching is time consuming but a necessary part of this technique as it holds the template down firmly to the backing sheet and really makes the fabric covered foam pieces stand out.

I like to add little bits of extra stitching like this kite tail before I put my card together.

GIVE-AWAY
Now don't forget that Little Yellow Bicycle/May Arts/Xyron
have been hosting a product swap all week and have the most amazing prices on offer and today is the last day to enter!
So head over to the Little Yellow Bicycle Blog HERE to lodge your entry.