Edgy Applique

Crafters are well-versed in the art of applique -- using bits and scraps of fabric to form shapes of creatures and critters and other cool stuff.

Urban Design has a few "edgy" applique designs which work as normal applique, but just have a few stray bits to keep in mind.

When you download an "edgy" applique design, you'll find a dieline as usual. A dieline is just the outline of the design, and it's used to cut the fabric pieces for the applique so that you have the shape and size just right.

"Edgy" applique designs have another element in the dieline, such as a tooth, that can hang over an "edge." Here's how to make that work:

After cutting your applique fabric piece for the main shape of the critter, hoop a piece of fabric and stabilizer.

Start stitching the design. The first thing to stitch is a dieline, and that traces the area where you will place the applique fabric.

You'll see that there's no dieline to stitch for the teeth. That means that you can play dentist. Alright, I know, nobody "normal" ever plays dentist, so there's something pretty wrong with that idea. 

Anyway, cut a fabric piece to any shape that you want to represent teeth, tongue, carrot, cigar, etc. Some suggestions are below:

Put the main applique piece in the dieline, then tuck your fabric teeth or tongue under the edge.

Continue stitching the design, and the remaining stitches will hold the bits in place.

Behold! An applique bunny, with a flappy tooth. Get creative and have fun making all kinds of smiles and grimaces for your favorite cuniculus (that's Latin for bunny). 

So...what can you do with edgy applique? Put 'em so the critters are hanging off the ends of scarves or knit caps. Make a home for them on the bottom of T-shirts, the flaps of backpacks and messenger bags. Let them grimace and growl off the ends of kitchen towels, and fleece blankies, too. And, make a sweet iPod or mp3 player cover --click here for those instructions.