This tutorial shows how to make a wall hanging with our applique panel scenes no matter how many panels make up the scene. It will work for both square and rectangular shaped scenes and scenes of any hoop size.

This tutorial is meant for the panel scenes that sew the embroidered panels side by side and do not have thin fabric borders between the embroidered pieces.

Some applique panel scenes are meant to be assembled in a specific order and some have pieces that can be mixed and matched to make a panel scene using any number of pieces you would like, like this book stack.

When you download the design, you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files, and others are dieline files marked with the letters "DL". Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape and size.

Open and print each dieline file using an embroidery software. If you do not have an embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines.

We also recommend Wilcom's Hatch software which comes in different levels depending on what you'd like to use the software for. Hatch Organizer works well to view your designs, print dielines and templates, change design colors, and create basic design layouts. (This is an affiliate link; we may earn a commission when you make a purchase using this link.)

For the applique pieces, spray the back of the paper dieline and smooth it onto the right side of a fabric piece. Also spray a piece of cutaway stabilizer and smooth it onto the wrong side of the fabric piece.

Cut out the fabric and stabilizer following the dieline shape. Remove the paper dieline.

Repeat these steps to cut out all the applique pieces in the design.

To prepare the embroidery fabric, cut a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer and cotton fabric bigger than your hoop. Spray the cutaway stabilizer with temporary spray adhesive and smooth it onto the wrong side of the cotton piece.

Hoop the cotton and stabilizer together tightly.

Load the first embroidery file onto the machine, attach the hoop to the machine, and begin to embroider the design.

Follow the color change steps and embroider the first step with "dieline" in the name. This marks the area where the applique piece will be placed.

After the dieline has sewn, spray the wrong side of the first applique piece with temporary adhesive. Smooth the applique piece into place inside of the sewn dieline on the front side hoop.

Then embroider the tackdown for the applique piece that was just placed. The tackdown holds the fabric piece in place.

If the design has multiple applique pieces, embroider the design until you get to another step labeled dieline. Then repeat the previous steps to embroider the dieline, place the fabric piece, and embroider the tackdown.

If the design only has one applique piece, simply continue to embroider the design.

Continue to follow the color change steps, embroider all details, and pause to place every applique piece as needed. The final thing to sew will be a box around the entire design.

Once the embroidery has finished, unhoop the design, and set it aside. Do not trim the fabric or stabilizer yet.

Repeat the previous steps to embroider all of the designs you would like to use in the chosen panel scene.

To prepare the first piece, iron one of the embroidered panels with a pressing cloth on top. Try to remove any wrinkles and make the sides as straight and flat as possible.

After pressing, measure 1/2in away from all four edges of the design and cut away the excess material. This will leave an even border of fabric around the edges of the embroidered design. This 1/2in border of fabric will be the seam allowance.

The easiest way to measure and cut the seam allowance around the design is by using a quilting ruler and rotary cutter. If preferred, you can measure and draw the seam allowance around the outside of the panel and cut on that line with a scissor instead.

Repeat the steps to press all of the embroidery panels and cut them all out, leaving the 1/2in seam allowance border of fabric around all four edges of every panel.

Arrange all the panels on the work area to show which panels go next to each other when the scene is lined up. Looking at them like this while you assemble the scene will help you see which edges need to be sewn together. Keeping them arranged like this while you work will also help prevent them from being mixed up or sewn to the wrong pieces.

Take the first two squares and lay them on top of each other with right sides together. Match up the edges and pin or clip the two panel pieces together along the side that needs to be sewn together.

The trick to perfectly lining up your seams with the edge of the embroidery is to pay close attention to the embroidered outer border.

When pinning any pieces together, match the outer edge and border of the embroidery up rather than just the fabric edges. The closer they are lined up, the better the panels will be aligned once sewn.

When sewing, always sew with the backside of the embroidery facing up so you can see the outer border while you sew. Sew directly on top of the outer edge of the embroidered design. This will help leave no gaps between the embroidered pieces.

Place the pinned pieces on the machine with the wrong side of the embroidery facing up and sew the two pieces together following the outer edge of the embroidery.

After sewing the seam, press the seam open. Use a pressing cloth when ironing to protect the stabilizer and fabric from the iron.

Now the first two panels are sewn together.

Repeat the previous steps to pin and sew all of your panel pieces together with as many embroidered panels as you would like to use.

Finish your scene however you would like. You can add fabric borders around it, make it into a project like a pillow or tote, or even incorporate it into a quilt.

For ours, we cut a back cotton fabric piece the same size as the front embroidered panels, lined the front and back up with wrong sides together, and then added bias tape around the sides to finish the raw edges.

Now that the Applique Panel Scene is completed, display it in your home to add some homemade charm, or give it as a beautiful gift.