Learn how to use fabric applique to add your own flair to your projects. Add a little hand stitching to create adorable one of a kind crafts. You will learn how to apply iron on applique with easy step-by-step pictures and instructions. Plus download this free tulips in a jar pattern!

Recently I shared my new envelope pillow cover tutorial. They're SUPER easy, so be sure to check it out.  Today I'm sharing the process of applying the applique to the pillows. It's pretty easy too, so let's get started!

How to applique fabric using iron-on adhesive

Supplies for fabric applique

You will need:

Pattern of what you would like to applique {You can find mine below}

Fabric - various colors, I used fat quarters for the applique and a white duck cloth for the pillow

Iron on adhesive

Scissors

Iron

Light box or window

Coordinating thread {Optional, if you'd like to add decorative stitching}

Affiliate links of supply items listed below. If you choose to make a purchase, I will receive a small percentage at no additional charge to you. 

If you'd like to try out my pattern, simply click on the image or the link below and you can print it out or download it.

Tulips in a Jar Free Pattern

Next we need to transfer the image to the iron on adhesive. You can do this using a light box if you have one, but I always just use my window. This is really hard to see, but I hope you can get the idea. I tape the pattern to the window and then tape the adhesive over it and trace away. I was about to trace the jar for this photo.

Keep in mind that the images that you trace will be a mirror to the end product. I placed my tulips with the printing facing the window because I wanted the end result to face the way I drew it. But really, since there are no words, it doesn't matter much.

Tip: Trace each piece separately so that you can easily cut out the pieces to iron on to different colors of fabric.

Iron the pattern pieces onto the fabric.

Next, cut out each piece of your applique and arrange it in place.

Piece by piece, remove the backing and iron in place. Begin with the bottom layers and work your way up. For this project, I did the jar first, then the stems, then the flowers and finally the leaves.

Lastly, I stitched around the pieces with coordinating thread. This is not necessary, but adds extra cuteness!

Have you done any applique projects? Do you have any tips you would like to add?

You may also like:

 Easy Envelope Pillows

How to Make a Drawstring Bag with fabric applique

Don't forget to pin it!!

How to Make an EASY Envelope Pillow Cover

Update your old throw pillows with this quick and easy envelope pillow cover tutorial. In about 10 minutes, using one piece of fabric and four straight seams you can learn how to sew these simple envelope pillow covers.

How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover

Last summer I bought a few throw pillows for the bench on my front porch. I really wanted to have different pillows for the different seasons, but hated the thought of storing them all. I decided to make pillow covers with an envelope closure. They are easily switched out and take way less room to store. These DIY envelope pillows were so EASY and quick to make. Now I have some cute spring pillows!

Easy Fabric Hot Pad - Beginner's Sewing Project

Learn how to make an easy fabric hot pad. This is a great project to teach kids {or any beginner} to sew. This is one of those projects that looks complicated, but in reality is quite simple to make. My 9 year old daughter made me one at 4H and I love it, so I had to share. 

Although the fabric is woven and looks complex, once you learn how to set up the fabric, it is really only 4 straight seams and you're done.

Fabric Covered Button Earrings and Bracelet

Today I have a fun bracelet and earring set to share with you. I made them with buttons - fabric covered buttons.

They are pretty simple to make and the colors and patterns are as endless as the fabrics in your stash.

To begin, I'll show you how to cover a button.You will need a fabric covered button kit. I got a few different sizes. It will come with the button front, the button back, a template, and the little plastic molds. It should also come with instructions.

1 - Trace your fabric with the template and cut it out.

2 - Set the fabric inside the plastic mold and put the button front inside the mold.

3 - Fold the excess fabric toward the middle and place the back on top. With the blue part of the mold press down until it snaps together.

For the earrings, I made sure to remove the button loop on the back before assembling the button. Then I simply added earring posts to the back with E6000 glue and let dry overnight before wearing.

For the bracelet, I left the button loops on. I slid a bracelet chain through the button holes. So that they wouldn't slide around I attached each button to the chain with jump rings.

I used fabric that was left after I had hemmed a dress - so it matches perfectly.

There's just the slightest silvery sheen to these buttons where you can see the metal through the fabric. It's hard to capture with a camera but I love the effect.

You may also like:

Vintage Button Earrings

 Fabric Flowers

 Button Pillow Tutorial 

 Button Necklaces

Rag Blankets and Burp Cloths

How is everyone's summer going? Last week I made a list of the projects I wanted to get done this summer. There's a bunch of stuff on the list - organizing certain areas of the house, finishing some projects,  coming up with a plan to decorate the master bedroom, and getting caught up on scrap-booking just to name a few.

It's only the second week of summer and I've got one thing crossed off the list - finishing up some baby blankets to use for gifts. I bought the fabric on a Black Friday sale, I even cut it up that weekend and then it sat. Do any of you have projects sitting around to be finished? 

I love to do rag blankets in strips. It's so much faster than squares. I've shared a full picture tutorial in the past: Striped Ragtop Baby Blanket. Check it out for the details.

Here are the fun different patterns I did.

I also made some burp cloths with the extra fabric. You can find the tutorial here: Rag Top Burpcloths

What projects are you going to finish this summer?

I'm not sure how much I'll be blogging this summer, I've got family and church commitments that will take some of my time. Posts will be sporadic, but once school starts again, I'll be back to a consistent schedule.

How to Make a Drawstring Bag - Beginner Sewing Project

These little bags sew up quick and they are ideal for a beginning sewer.  If you feel sewing is intimidating, this is the perfect project for you. All the seams are simple straight lines and you only need a few supplies. You can even use fat quarters for these fun bags. I taught a group of 12-13 year old girls how to make these bags, some of which had never sewn before. You can do this too! I'll walk you though each step.

You will need:
12" X 14" piece of fabric
4" X 4" piece fabric for applique
wonder under or heat n bond
yarn
safety pin
scissors
sewing machine
cookie cutter {to use as a stencil for your applique}

How to Sew a Drawstring Bag

Begin with your 12" X 14" piece of fabric.

Fold and press 1/4" down from long 14" side.

Fold and press another 1" on same side. This will make the pocket for the drawstring. For now, unfold the folds.

Fold your piece of fabric in half with right sides together. It should be folded so it's 12" X 7".

 Sew along the bottom and side. Leave an opening from 1 1/4" and 1 3/4" from the top edge.

**Now that we're sewing, a quick word about back stitching. Typically when sewing projects you will want to start and end each seam with a back stitch. To do a back stitch you begin sewing for about 1/2 inch. Then reverse and go backwards over your stitching for 1/2 inch. Then sew to the end of your seam and backstitch again. This basically knots your thread so that it won't come undone. **

Clip the corner.

Fold over the previously pressed area - make sure to keep the seam allowance spread open so that you can thread the string through.  Yeah....I learned this the hard way.

 Now sew along the bottom edge of the top fold, as pictured above. Make sure not to sew your bag closed!

Now let's make the drawstring. 

I opted to use yarn instead of cord since I had it on hand.

Cut 3 pieces of yarn 20" long. Knot one end. Braid and knot the other end. Using a safety pin, thread the yarn through opening in the bag. Knot together the two ends of yarn. {I untied the previous knots.}

How to add an applique

You could stop there, but I wanted to personalize the bags a little. I grabbed some cookie cutters to use as stencils.

 Iron Wonder Under to a small piece of fabric. Trace the desired shape onto the paper. Cut out and remove paper backing. Place on bag and iron into place.

There you have it, a fun little drawstring bag. These would be perfect little car bags for kids, just put a mini coloring book and some crayons, or little notebook and pencil. What would you use your bag for?

Want to try a small tote bag? 

DIY Tote Bag