Create appliqué designs so detailed they appear to "lift off" the background. We used Hoffman batiks and Robison-Anton rayon embroidery to machine embroider this gorgeous hibiscus flower.

Warning: Machine appliqué
is easy and habit-forming!

Hoop the stabilizer and insert the hoop into the sewing machine. 
We used Tear Away Stabilizer.

The sewing machine will stitch out an outline of the first area to be appliquéd. Be sure to clip away the jump threads when the outline is completed.

Place the first appliqué fabric (in this case, it's the leaves) onto the background fabric being sure to cover the entire outlined area. The machine will then stitch another outline of the leaves. 

Remove the hoop from the machine (DO NOT REMOVE THE FABRIC FROM THE HOOP!) and, using small, sharp scissors, trim away the excess appliqué fabric. Follow the outline stitch as closely as possible. (Good lighting is very helpful, here!)

Trimming completed.

Place the hoop back into the machine. The machine will stitch over the outline stitch again, then satin stitch following the outline of the leaves. This particular appliqué also added detail stitching to the inside of the leaves. 

Next, place the second appliqué fabric (the petals) onto the hoop covering the entire stitching area. The machine will stitch an outline of the petals. Remove the hoop from the sewing machine, (DO NOT REMOVE THE FABRIC FROM THE HOOP!) trim away the excess fabric and jump stitches and place the hoop back into the machine.

The machine will stitch over outline stitch of the petals and then completed the appliqué with a satin stitch. (This particular appliqué program added detail stitching to the inside of the petals.)

Satin stitch close-up.

Completed satin stitch.

Click here to see the notions used in this demonstration.