16 Applique Patterns and Ideas • Heather Handmade

Get inspired to sew with these fun applique patterns and ideas. There are creative ideas for quilts, pillows, and clothing.

I’ve always loved using applique to add designs and fun details to clothing and decorations. It’s a simple way to add personality and use up smaller pieces of fabric.

I have done some many different kinds of appliques over the years, and it was so fun to look through all these ideas! Some of these ideas are cut by hand and sewn with a sewing machine, and some of these ideas are cut with a Cricut Maker and sewn with a sewing machine. I hope you find something to inspire you!

What is applique?

Applique is a sewing technique where fabric is sewn onto a larger piece of fabric either by hand or with a sewing machine to create designs, shapes, and words. You can use printed or solid fabric and applique it onto printed or solid fabric.

One of my favorite things to do when it comes to applique is to combine different mediums like fabric and trim, fabric and buttons, or fabric and iron on vinyl or infusible ink. This makes my applique designs especially unique and different.

What fabric can you applique on?

You can applique on almost any fabric as long as you are prepared and use the right materials. The easiest is to applique cotton with stabilizer onto cotton. This the the most basic, and it’s what you’ll find on a lot of quilts and home decor.

You can also applique on stretch fabric like swim suits and t-shirts if you use a stretchy and lightweight stabilizer.

I also sew my appliques on with a sewing machine either using a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch depending on the methods and how much the project with get washed.

Want more sewing ideas:

Applique Patterns and Ideas

Get inspired to sew with these fun applique patterns and ideas. There are creative ideas for quilts, pillows, and clothing.

Applique for Home Decor

Applique US State Shapes

Learn how to make a US state map quilt with states sewn in the shape of a heart. Cut the US state patchwork pieces with the Cricut Maker for an easy and fast appliqued quilt!

Applique Ric Rac into a Shape or Design

Learn how to make a fun pillow by sewing ric rac into any shape or design that you want. This beginner sewing project is a great throw pillow!

How to Applique Felt with free holiday patterns

Learn how to applique felt onto felt with this free felt stocking sewing pattern. There are five different winter or holiday designs that you can use on pillows and table runners.

Pieced Fabric Applique

Learn how to make a fun pillow with scraps of fabric sewn together. Cut the shape out of the pieced fabric and then applique it onto a pillow.

Applique for Clothing

DIY Border Print Applique

Make a custom DIY border print design with a long applique! Create the custom design, cut the fabric with the Cricut Maker, and sew it to a skirt.

Cricut Infusible Ink Applique

Combine Cricut Infusible Ink and applique for a really unique appliqued shirt design. Create any design and cut any shape for an quick and easy project.

How to Applique on Stretch Fabric

Learn how to applique on stretch fabric. This sewing technique works great for knit fabric. It’s easy as long as you have the right supplies!

Rag Edge Shirt Applique

Learn how to add an applique to a t-shirt with a simple rag cut edge. This is an easy sewing project that’s perfect for any simple shape and design.

Applique and Trim Design

Learn how to applique fabric onto a shirt and then add pieces of trim for a really unique design. This is an easy applique to sew and it can be silly or cute!

Applique and Pocket Combination

Learn how to applique a shape underneath a welt pocket in this fun sewing tutorial. It’s a fun way to make pockets special and unique!

Faux Fur Applique

Use this free “Wild One” cut file and faux fur to make a fun graphic tee! It's a great way to combine different mediums in one shirt.

DIY Chenille Applique

Make a DIY Chenille shirt perfect in any simple shape. A solid shape will show off the layers of colored fabric underneath. It gets better with each wash.

Crochet and Couching Applique

Add details to a sweather with this crochet and couching applique tutorial. Crochet yarn into a chain and then sew it onto the sweater in the design that you want. The crocheting blends in with the sweater to make it look knitted.

3D Animal Faces Applique

Learn how to make DIY animal face t-shirts with fabric or infusible ink. Each animal has ears or fins that are 3D and can be moved around. It's a fun way to add personality to a kids shirt.

Ribbon Scraps Applique

Learn how to use up ribbon scraps and pieces to make a fun appliqued shirt. The ribbons can be woven and placed in any shape you want. It's a greaty way to use up small pieces of ribbon for a colorful design.

Buttons and Applique

Learn how to applique fabric on to a shirt and then add buttons for extra fun. The buttons add the perfect unique detail.

If you make something using one of these sewing projects, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!