Applique advice, please

[doglover]

I'm currently making a wallhanging for my 13 year old dds bedroom. It's basic fabric is a good quality felt and I've embroidered several words on it. I've got some pretty cotton fabrics and would love to try to applique some simple shapes onto the felt but am not sure how to start. If any of you have some words of wisdom, I'd be so grateful. I also wondered about decorating with random buttons etc ............... what do you think?!

bondaweb is your friend

trace the shape onto the paper side of the bondaweb (back to front) - iron on to cotton, cut out shape, peel off backing, iron onto background fabric, and then sew around the edge - are you doing it by hand or with a machine (and if the latter, how clever is the machine)?

I've got an old, basic machine which I've only used for curtains etc. I'll probably attempt it by hand but may have an experiment on the old trusty!! Thanks for the Bondaweb tip - sounds great!

Thanks, Bran. I'll have a practice on some spare material and see what looks best.

I have just ventured into the world of appliqué and used a basic zig zag stitch which even old machines seem to have. I used it and the trusted bondaweb for this and have done initals etc here too. Easy as pie! :)

Thanks, Flubba. I'm impressed! Will start to experiment tonight when all the evening 'stuff' is done and dusted. Feeling very excited!!

Where do you buy the bondaweb stuff? I looked in a few craft shops today but couldn't find any . Is online the only option?

You can buy it on the roll from sewing/fabric shops. Or craft places (incl John Lewis) sell it folded in small packets with instructions.

I buy large quantities on ebay too.

Thanks! I went into a huge crafty place today but girl wasent sure what I was talking about when I was trying to explain to her (first time for me looking for things, and don't think it was her usual department!). Will try John Lewis 2mrw or eBay it is! Thanks

random buttons look nice as does broken bits of jewellery or ric rac ribbon etc

for anyone wanting some basic advice on applique then this has a good clear 'how-to'
www.farbenmix.de/anleitungen/applikationenen.htm

inspiration also here www.farbenmix.de/inspiration/en/category/applikationen/

www.farbenmix.de/inspiration/en/category/applikationen/

www.farbenmix.de/anleitungen/applikationenen.htm