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"This quick and easy blanket-stitched appliqué project was done on a ready-to-wear sweater, but could be done on a
sweatshirt or other garment of your choice. With the array of jungle prints available in fabric stores, the possibilites
are endless.
Don't be limited to only using a knit fabric. This technique could be easily adapted to a denim jacket or shirt. If you
truly enjoy making garments, use the ready-to-wear suggestion that will be enhanced by those of us who lean more towards
embellishing.
The sweater used in the sample was an extra large. Some of us are more 'ample' than others, so adjust the appliqué
design elements to fit the garment size you choose, adding more or using less, whatever is appropriate for the look you are
striving towards" ---Patti
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Supplies
- Ready-to-Wear Sweater/Sweatshirt in your size
- Zig-Zag Sewing Machine with optional blanket stitch
Appliqué Foot
2 or 3 Bobbins
- Machine Needles
Metallica Size 14/90 or Top Stitching or Embroidery Size 14/90
- Sulky Threads
Sulky 30 wt. Rayon
1005 - Black
1057 - Dark Tawny Tan
1158 - Dark Maple
Sulky Sliver™ Metallic
8006 - Bronze
8040 - Opalescent
Sulky Smoke Polyester Invisible thread for the Bobbin
- Sulky Stabilizer
2 yds. of Totally Stable™
- Fabric
1/2 yd. green for long background leaves
1/2 yd. brown for background branches
1/4 yd. green print for large leaves
1/4 yd. nylon net with metallic sparkles to cover Tiger
1/4 yd. of Tiger fabric (or any Animal Print of your choice).
The amount of fabric depends on size and placement of animal.
- Notions
Large Teflon Pressing Sheet
Steam-A-Seam 2™ Double-Sided Fusible Web
Iron and Pressing Pad
Scissors & Pins
White Chalk Marker
Fine-Line, Permanent-Ink Marker
Optional - Sulky KK 2000 Temporary Spray Adhesive along with any paper-backed fusible web
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1. Apply Fusible Web to the
Back of Leaf and Branch Fabrics
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Using Steam-A-Seam 2, double-sided fusible-web, remove the printed release sheet and place the web, sticky-side down,
on pattern for appliqué. Trace all the long leaves with a permanent marker onto the unprinted release
sheet. Peel up and hand press onto the green fabric you have chosen to be the long leaves. Cut out pieces. You can
reposition Steam-A-Seam 2 again and again to make the most efficient use of your fabric. (The same results can be
accomplished with Sulky KK 2000 Temporary Spray Adhesive and any paper-backed fusible web.) Repeat step one for large leaves and branches.
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2. Cut Animal Print and Netting
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The animal! Choose the animal print (lion, tiger, bear, etc.) that you wish to feature on the garment. Since the
nylon net will actally be placed on top of the tiger when it is applquéd to the garment, cut out all three
at once... animal, Steam-A-Seam 2 and nylon net. Remove the printed release sheet from Steam-A-Seam 2 and place the sticky
side against the back of the tiger. Peel away the plain release sheet and place a piece of nylon net (with metallic
sparkles) against the sticky side. Cut out all 3 following the outline of the tiger (leave no seam allowance).
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3. Prepare Garment
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To simplify the appliqué process enormously, cut open the side seams of your pullover garment to create a relatively flat
surface on which to work. Apply a moderately hot iron (NO STEAM) for several seconds to press two layers of Sulky
Totally Stable to the wrong side of the front of the garment in all areas that you will be stitching. If Totally Stable
works loose after lots of handling, just repress to restick it. You can save and reuse any excess Totally Stable
which you tear away after you've finished stitching.
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4. Placement
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Peel the second release sheet from the branch pieces. Position branches using the placement diagram as a guide, or get creative and
design your own placement which may be dictated by the size and type of garment you are using. Use more or less branches to accomplish
the look you want for your unique original piece of wearable art. Remember: With Steam-A-Seam 2 or Sulky KK 2000, you can reposition
the pieces again and again up until the time you fuse them in place with an iron.
If desired, remove the release sheet from all the pieces at this time and play with the layout until you're satisfied that this
underlayer of branches is where you want it to be. The other pieces can be replaced onto a release sheet to save until you're
ready to use them. Before fusing, try on your garment to be sure you are pleased with your layout and placement of pieces. Once
satisfied, stem press them in place.
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5. Thread Machine and set up for
Blanket-Stitch Appliqué
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Thread the bobbin with Sulky Invisible Thread (clear for light fabrics or smoke for darker fabrics). Because Sulky Invisible
Thread is a lightweight polyester monofilament, it has a much greater tolerance to heat than nylon monofilament; perfect
for projects requiring fusing or pressing with a hot iron. Thread the top with Sulky 30 wt. Dark Tawny Tan #1057. Loosen the top tension slightly.
Select the Blanket-Stitch if your machine has one. Other stitch choices would be an open zig-zag
or blind hem (usually with invisible thread on top as well as in the bobbin).
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6. Begin to Blanket Stitch
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Blanket stitch around all of the branches. then place the one long leaf that extends above and below the animal and fuse it in place. Blanket stitch around the leaf with
Sulky 30 wt. Dark Maple #1158.
Peel off the nylon net from the back of the tiger, then place the tiger over the leaf and fuse it
in place. Place the nylon net over the tiger and straight stitch arund the outside edge with Sulky Smoke Invisible Thread on the top and in the bobbin. Thead the
top with Sulky 30 wt. Black #1005, and blanket stitch around the animal. Position remaining leaves
using the placement diagram, or create your own look; fuse them in place. Blanket Stitch using Sulky 30 wt. Dark Maple #1158.
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7. Create Vein Lines in Leaves
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Use a white chalk marker to draw vein lines in large leaves. Stitch vein lines using Sulky 30 wt. Dark Maple #1158 and a small satin stitch.
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8. Embellish the Animal Print
Set up for Free-Motion
- Drop your Feed Dogs
- Put on a Darning Foot
- Straight Stitch Setting
Embellish your Animal by using Sulky Sliver Metallic Bronze #8006 to highlight eyes and whiskers, and Sulky Sliver Metallic Opalescent
#8040 to highlight the white fur areas on the tiger.
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9. Serge Side Seams
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Serge or sew the side seams back up and, voila, you are done.
Some bugle and seed beads were sewn onto this sweater to dress it up a little. Have fun! It's your sweater; decorate it to your taste.
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Pattern
For the pattern, we are providing it as a download from the browser below. You may click the image and then print the pattern that appears or you may save the image to your local hard drive.
The pattern is scaled to fit on an 8-1/2" X 11" piece of paper, though it might have to be rotated. If you wish to use a larger size, you can scale it up appropriately in your print dialog box or print it out as provided and enlarge it by some other means (copy machine, projector, local blueprint shop etc).
If you wish to save to your local hard drive proceed as follows:
PC users - right click on the image and select "save this image as..." in the pop up menu.
Mac users - control click to bring up the popoup menu and then select "save this image as...".
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