Question for Sewing People

[HLAuburn]

I am lucky if I can sew on a button, so I need some help. (Speak sloooowly ) Can someone tell me how this applique is done? Is it just "freehand" circles or will most machines do circles for you? Would you have to have an embroidery machine, or could it be done on a regular machine?

Any advice? I'm going to get my MIL to make it, but I need to explain to her what I am talking about!

Thanks so much!

 

[bclydia]

Hello
Well, I'm not a genius seamstress, but this is how I do it.
First, trace your design onto some fusible web. Several companies make it- Aleene's has one, Wonder Under, Steam a Seam 2. Cut around your design leaving a half inch or so all around. Iron your paper onto the wrong side of your fabric and now cut your fabric and the paper along the proper outline. Place your applique onto the fabric and iron it on.
Now, with the appropriate colour of thread in your machine, use a fine button hole stitch and slowly stitch around the edge of your applique. I have a VERY basic Kenmore sewing machine and this works just fine. I'm sure fancy machines have other options, but this works so well, you don't really need anything else!
Lydia

 

[HunnyPots]

To get the satin stitch around the edges, set your zig-zag length to zero and your width to 3 or 4. If you MIL sews, she'll know what I mean. It is very easy to do, no special machine required.