How to Make an Appliqué Patch with Embroidery Machine - Tutorial 14
Written by Tia Isom
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Published on
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Reading time for 6 min
Today, we’ll show you how to create an appliqué embroidery design on the E15, a powerful embroidery machine. If you’re new to embroidery on flat fabrics, start with our standard shirt embroidery tutorial: How to Embroider a Shirt - E15 Embroidery Machine Lesson 2. If your design is larger than a standard hoop allows, see our large flat frame guide: Large Flat Frame Embroidery - E15 Embroidery Machine Tutorial 13. Appliqué builds on those foundations, so this tutorial focuses on what’s different: using appliqué mode, stopping for fabric placement, trimming, and finishing.
Appliqué embroidery requires a design made for appliqué — regular embroidery designs won’t work.
Enable appliqué mode and add stop codes after the placement and tack-down stitches.
Use a lower speed, around 550 SPM, for more stable appliqué stitching.
Place the appliqué fabric or heat transfer vinyl inside the placement line after the machine pauses.
Trim excess fabric along the outside of the tack-down line with small scissors.
If using heat transfer vinyl, heat press after embroidery to fully bond the adhesive layer.
Puff vinyl requires hot peel; other heat transfer vinyls are cold peel.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin, prepare the following materials:
Embroidery hoop
Hoodie (or other flat fabric)
Small scissors
Heat transfer vinyl
Stabilizer
Tape
You’ll also need an appliqué embroidery design.
Step 1: Select the Design and Set Colors
Select your appliqué design on the machine.
Note: Regular embroidery designs cannot be used for appliqué embroidery. Make sure the design you select is digitized specifically for appliqué.
Set the design colors as desired.
Step 2: Enable Appliqué Mode and Add Stop Codes
In the color settings, enable appliqué mode, and add stop codes after the placement and tack-down stitches.
Note: If stop codes have already been added to the design in the digitizing software, there’s no need to add them again in the color settings.
Step 3: Mark and Hoop the Hoodie
Mark a positioning cross on the hoodie.
Then hoop the stabilizer and hoodie together. Place the stabilizer underneath the hoodie, then hoop them together.
Make sure the fabric is smooth and wrinkle-free.
Step 4: Select the Hoop Type and Align the Design
Select the hoop type that matches your actual embroidery hoop.
Use the Location function to make sure the design is properly aligned.
Use Pattern Trace to make sure the design stays within the hoop area.
Step 5: Start Embroidery and Place the Appliqué
For appliqué, use a lower speed for more stable stitching. We recommend 550 SPM. Then tap Ready and press the Start button.
The machine will first stitch the placement line for the appliqué. Once the placement line is complete, the machine will stop automatically.
Make sure the machine is paused, then place the appliqué fabric. You can also use heat transfer vinyl.
If using heat transfer vinyl, peel off the protective layer before placing it on the hoodie. Then place the vinyl inside the outline and secure it with tape.
Make sure it fully covers the placement line. Check the appliqué position. Keep your hands and tools away from the needle area, then press the Start button.
The machine will stitch the tack-down line to secure the fabric.
After the tack-down stitch is complete, the machine will stop automatically.
Step 6: Trim the Excess Fabric
Make sure the machine is paused, then use Frame Out to position the hoop for trimming.
Carefully cut away the excess fabric along the outside of the tack-down line with small scissors.
Note: When trimming, avoid cutting the base fabric, stabilizer, or existing stitches.
Step 7: Finish the Satin Border
Tap OK to return to the paused position. The machine will stitch the satin border to cover the appliqué edges and complete the design.
Once embroidery is complete, remove the hoop and check the appliqué edges for lifting, gaps in the border stitching, or misaligned stitches.
Step 8: Heat Press the Appliqué
If you used heat transfer vinyl, you’ll need to use a heat press machine after all embroidery is complete to heat the adhesive layer and fully bond it to the garment. Please follow the material instructions for the recommended heat press settings — see our heat press settings guide for details.
Heat Transfer Vinyl Types for Appliqué
Different heat transfer vinyls offer different effects and colors:
Glitter heat transfer vinyl — has glitter particles that make your design sparkle.
Puff vinyl — expands after heat pressing to create a 3D effect, making your design cute and fun.
Flocked heat transfer vinyl — provides a special texture and feel.
Keep in mind that puff vinyl requires hot peel, while other heat transfer vinyls are cold peel.
Tutorial Video
If you prefer to follow along visually, the video below walks through the same process from selecting the appliqué design to heat pressing the finished piece. You can watch it before you start or use it alongside the steps above. This video tutorial uses glitter heat transfer vinyl and the H10 T-shirt press.
Conclusion
You’ve now learned how to create appliqué embroidery on the E15 Embroidery Machine. By enabling appliqué mode, adding stop codes, placing your fabric or heat transfer vinyl at the right moment, and trimming carefully, you can produce clean appliqué designs with a professional satin border. If you used heat transfer vinyl, don’t skip the final heat press step — it bonds the adhesive layer and helps the appliqué last.
Next tutorial: How to Use the Bobbin Winder. In the next lesson, we’ll show you how to use the bobbin winder on the E15. Stay tuned!
FAQ
What is appliqué embroidery?
Appliqué embroidery is a technique where fabric or heat transfer vinyl is placed inside an embroidered outline, secured with a tack-down stitch, trimmed, and finished with a satin border.
Can I use a regular embroidery design for appliqué?
No. Regular embroidery designs cannot be used for appliqué embroidery. You need a design digitized specifically for appliqué, with a placement line, tack-down stitch, and satin border.
What speed should I use for appliqué embroidery?
Use a lower speed for more stable stitching. We recommend 550 SPM for appliqué embroidery on the E15 embroidery machine.
Do I need to add stop codes if they’re already in the design?
No. If stop codes have already been added to the design in the digitizing software, there’s no need to add them again in the color settings.
What should I watch out for when trimming appliqué fabric?
Trim along the outside of the tack-down line with small scissors. Avoid cutting the base fabric, stabilizer, or existing stitches.
Do I need to heat press after appliqué embroidery?
Only if you used heat transfer vinyl. After all embroidery is complete, use a heat press machine to heat the adhesive layer and fully bond it to the garment. Follow the material instructions for the recommended heat press settings.
What’s the difference between hot peel and cold peel for heat transfer vinyl?
Puff vinyl requires hot peel, meaning you remove the carrier sheet while the vinyl is still hot. Other heat transfer vinyls are cold peel, meaning you wait for the vinyl to cool before removing the carrier sheet.
Ready to add appliqué to your embroidery projects?
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