personalised name pillows/cushions

[jenniepanda]

I am going to attempt to make something like this for some xmas presents this year. www.youcanmakethis.com/info/pillows/Personalized-Name-Pillows.htm. I am a fairly competant sewer, but haven't done any sort of applique (sp) before. Can I just use a normal foot on my machine to go around the letters and what stitch should I use, straight or zig-zag?
Thanks.

I have no idea if this is "right" but it works for me...I iron interfacing on to the fabric before cutting which makes it less floppy then stitch in a contrasting colour with a narrow zig zag stitch...

i have some double sided interfacing stuff that i iron down the letters with befor sewing. yes you can just do a normal zig zag round it with no special accessories. you do need to make sure that the letters don't move as your sewing. i think personalised home made presents are the best.

Thanks - that link has a video on it that shows how to get started and she irons on interfacing which then has a sticky side that she peels off to position the letters before sewing. No idea what it's called, but it looks pretty good!
I shall give it a go and see how I get on. One more question though, do you zig-zag so the stich is just on the lettering, or half and half, or some other proprtions?
Thanks.

i aim for about half and half. you may wnt to practice a bit first to get the right stitch length for the zigzag on the fabric you are using. i always go for the widest stitch as well for that sort of thing.

bondaweb is the stuff. I made something similar, with smaller letters for prezzies last year. They were much appreciated.