Thursday, November 13, 2008

Applique on a Sweater

I haven't dropped off the earth, but am visiting family and haven't been doing any sewing or anything that would interest anyone else. I have been thinking of a future project that has been in the back of my mind for a while. I want to applique bits of kimono silk fabric to a sweater, and I wonder what kind of stabilizer would be good. It should be something that can either be removed or if left in, looks ok, since this is a cardigan and stitching will show if the front should roll back a bit. Anyone out there have a suggestion? I'd appreciate it. The sweater is silk and cotton, but if this works, I have thought of buying others and embellishing them for Christmas gifts.

5 comments:

Vicki W said...

How firm is the knit in the sweater? I think I would consider a fusible interfacing applied to the silk fabric. Depending on the size of the applique you might also have to do some stabilizing (accent) stitching within the motif so it doesn't puff up or sag on the sweater. Just some ideas!

Anonymous said...

well i was going to suggest lining the inside (at least the front two panels) but i think Vickis idea is better. and i dont really know what im talking about :)

Debra Dixon said...

I use stitch and tear for my machine embroidery and it literally tears away once the stitching is done-made by Pellon. I like the lining idea too since I am not fond of the back of embroidery showing but that may be more than you are willing to do.

*karendianne. said...

Just glad to know you didn't drop off the earth. That would be unstablizing! ;> *karendianne.

Kay said...

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I guess I wasn't clear in my question. I will use a very light weight interfacing behind the pieces of silk, probably facing them with it. They will be small, so they shouldn't sag. I was concerned about the underside of the sweater, and so Debra's idea of stitch and tear might be way to go. I don't like underside showing but I'm not lining this :) I also appreciate Amy's off site suggestion of a light fusible tricot on the back of the sweater. That might be something I can try, since I have some.