Stitching recommendations: Handstitches with embroidery floss (a running stitch creates a rustic look), or a straight machine stitch.
Tools and Materials:
Freezer paper
Fine-tipped permanent marker or pencil
Erasable fabric marking pen or tailor's chalk
Self-adhesive, tear-away stabilizer
Craft scissors
Sewing scissors
Embroidery scissors
1. Trace your template(s) onto freezer paper (nonwaxy side) with a permanent marker or pencil and cut out.
2. Cut a generous rectangle from your appliqué fabric so that your template will fit on top of it with a seam allowance of at least ½ " (1.3 cm) on all edges.
3. Cut out a rectangle of self-adhesive, tear-away stabilizer that is larger than the appliqué fabric rectangle by at least 1" (2.5 cm) on each side.
4. Iron the freezer paper template to the right side of the background knitted fabric, making sure that the plastic coated (waxy) side is facing down (figure 1).
5. Remove the paper backing of the tear-away stabilizer and adhere the wrong side of the appliqué fabric, centered, to the sticky side of the stabilizer (figure 2).
6. Place the stabilizer/applique fabric under the background knitted fabric, positioning it directly behind the freezer paper template that is adhered to the right side of the knitted fabric (figure 3). Make sure the knitted fabric is smooth and the edges of the stabilizer are firmly adhered to the wrong side.
7. Using a ballpoint needle, sew a straight stitch on the knitted fabric, along the edge of the freezer paper template, backtacking at the beginning and end (figure 4). Check to make sure that your stitching has gone through the layers of appliqué fabric and stabilizer (if it has accidentally gone beyond the edge of the appliqué fabric, you'll have to rip out your stitching and try again; otherwise, you'll end up with a hole when you cut out the top, knitted fabric).
8. Peel the freezer paper template off the knitted fabric. Then, use your embroidery scissors to cut along the inside of your stitchline through the top knitted fabric only, leaving at least 1/8" (3 mm) seam allowance, if not more (figure 5).
9. Flip the knitted fabric over to the wrong side and tear away the stabilizer from the back of the appliqué. Trim the applique fabric to within ¼" (6 mm) of the stitchline. How to reverse Sewing Appliques on Knits in Snap
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