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Tips & Techniques
Which Way to Machine Applique?
Invisible Blind Hem Applique
The beauty of this method lies in what you don't see. The blind hem stitch, when done with monofilament thread, is the most invisible of the machine applique stitches and most closely resembles fine hand applique.
Check your machine manual for a stitch pattern of 3 or 5 straight stitches followed by a zigzag stitch. It may be called a blind hem or an overlock stitch. It doesn't matter whether the thread zigzags to the right or left. Both variations will work.
The stitch width should be just wide enough to catch a couple of threads of the applique patch and short enough to leave only 1/8" between zigzags. If your machine automatically determines these settings and either one is too large, adjust it manually to override the preset measurement.
Stitch with the needle riding on the background next to the patch and the zigzag grabbing it. The zigzag must catch the patch every time; the straight stitch must not.
Secure each corner with a zigzag. If you see as you approach that the zigzag won't fall where you wish, shorten the stitch length a bit or hold back the fabric slightly with your hands to make that happen.
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