Felt Applique Tutorial

So if you read my post today, then you know I use a lot of felt applique in my handmade baby items, and I want to show you my super simple method. It's so simple in fact, that I feel weird calling this a tutorial. It's really more of an example of one way to add wool felt applique to fabric, mixed in with some tips and resources.

 

Some pointers:

• Do NOT use craft felt for applique. 
• Do use 100% wool felt or wool blends for blankets and other baby items.
• Do use eco felt for applique on clothing, especially for children's clothing. It machine washes and dries very well in my experience.
• When selling or gifting an item with wool or wool blend applique always advise the user to machine wash cold only, and line dry.
• Wool and wool blend felt will shrink a bit and fuzz up with frequent washing and wear, but chances are, if you like handmade, then you will like the effect. 

How To:

1) Determine what you wish to applique and make a template.

I am using simple initials for this example, but go crazy! Consider scale and color when choosing your design, sketch on some graph or other paper, and cut out your images. You may want to trace your images on to cardboard or template plastic if you are going to use them again and again. I often use old cereal boxes for cardboard templates, and find they hold up really well.

2) Choose your felt. 

Here are a few recommendations for where to buy different kinds of felt:

For 100% wool felt I like Purl Soho, or A Child's Dream Come True online. 

For eco felt, try Hart's Fabric.

For wool blend felt, I like Benzie Bazaar.

3) Trace your cut out images on to your felt.

4)Cut out your images in felt.

5) Sew your felt images together as you wish. 

6) Determine where you wish to place your applique, and sew them on to your fabric directly. I do not use any stabilizers or adhesives, but you may if you wish.

7)Finish your item as desired. 

Super simple right? I told you!

Do you use felt applique differently? Have any pointers to add? 

Comments

[Erin]

I really appreciate your tutorials. You write "eco felt" is good to use on children's clothing. Do you know if "eco-fi" is the same thing? I found "eco-fi" (made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and washer & dryer safe) felt shold in sheets at my fabric/craft store and I'd like to use them on the baby blanket I am sewing.