Appliques? Best way to do them?

Hi - I'm looking for some advice on putting hand made appliques on t-shirts. I've been creating some really cute things for my daughter and using fabric glue and then handstitching around it. I have used just regular fabric for some of the designs. Or - for example, a bandana cut into pieces shaped like fish... but I can tell the fish are going to fray and not look very good after a few washes (even with anti-fray stuff on them). Is it hopeless without an embroidery machine? Thanks for any thoughts!! 

Melany

I'd attach them using a sewing machine, using either a tight zigzag or very small straight stitch. They will still fray a little depending on how close to the edge you get.

You could also iron the appliques to fusible web and then sew to the main piece, which may reduce the fraying a bit.

Carol

Here is a good tutorial for putting fabric appliques on t-shirts (well, onesies, but it's the same idea!):
http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/Blog/applique_onesie.pdf

Fusible webbing should work fine for something like a t-shirt.  It will also reinforce the fabric and protect a bit from fraying.  If you're sewing around an applique that's been fused to a stretch knit, it may also help to put a stabilizer sheet or piece of lightweight paper underneather while you're sewing.  You can then tear it away when you're done.