Applique is a sewing technique that involves stitching small pieces of fabric onto a larger one to make a pattern or design.You can create an applique design using the PE Design software in the Maker Studio.

Applique Stitches

To add an applique to your design you must create the following stitches which will be sewn in the same location:

1. Running Stitch - to either mark out the placement for the applique material on the fabric in the hoop or to mark out the fabric in the hoop so you can cut out the applique material.
   
2. Tack Down Stitch - to attach the cut out applique material to the material in the hoop if the applique material is already cut out.
   
3. Satin Stitch - to cover the edge of your applique and the previous stitches. 
   

Using the Applique Wizard

PE Design 10 has an Applique Wizard which will transform your stitches into the previously mentioned steps.

You must have your stitches selected to use the Applique Wizard otherwise the Applique Wizard icon will be greyed out.

When you click on the Applique Wizard icon the following window will open:

Applique Material and Applique Position - These steps will create two copies of your design as a running stitch to allow you to see where to place your applique fabric and to cut it out. If you already have your applique pieces cut out you can skip this step by selecting the No radial.

Tack Down - If you already have your applique pieces cut out you would use this step to tack down the applique material to the fabric in the hoop. If this step is not required select the No radial.

Covering Stitch - This stitch will cover the edge of your applique. You can choose the type, width and density of the stitch.

Output Pattern - You can decide with this step whether or not you would like the applique stitches to replace your design or be outside of it. To have it replace your design you must use a closed shape. If your shape isn’t closed the Add and Replace radials will be greyed out.

 Once you click Ok on the Applique Wizard you will see the applique steps appear in the Sewing Order pane.

When you select a step in the Sewing Order pane you will see in the colour window that the applique step is highlighted.

When your stitches are applique the software will change them to the colour yellow or pink. Unfortunately if you change the colour or modify your stitches they will no longer be considered applique and the applique icon in the color window will no longer be highlighted. If this happens the embroidery machine will not stop between stitches. To make the stitch an applique again you must select the stitch on the design page and click on the correct applique icon. The first icon is Applique Material, the second is Applique Position and the third is Tack Down and Covering Stitch.

Making an applique without the Applique Wizard

It is possible to create an applique design without the Applique Wizard. Each part of your design that you wish to be an applique must have the applique stitches. If you make each stitch a different colour the embroidery machine will stop between steps. Alternatively, you can select your stitch and click on the appropriate applique icon.

Step 1: Create running stitches

Create a running stitch where you would like that applique to be. This can be done using the Open curve tool (Home>Tools>Shapes>Outline>Open Curve Tool) to trace out or draw your stitch. Be sure the stitch is Running Stitch and has no fill. To stop using the Open Curve tool double click on the left mouse button.

Select the running stitches you just created on the Design page and then copy and paste.

This will create a second set of running stitches on top of the first (with the applique material between them.) to lock down the applique fabric which can then be cut out along the stitches. If the stitches are the same colour the embroidery machine will not stop from one step to the next. You must make this step a different colour. To make it a different colour click on the spool icon next to the stitch type. Then choose a different colour*.

*Remember, you don’t actually have to use this thread colour, the purpose of changing it is to make the embroidery machine pause between steps.

Alternatively: You can also choose to make the step an applique by selecting the step in the Sewing Order pane and in the colour window choose the Applique material icon. Be sure to still make it a running stitch. Selecting the applique icons will make the embroidery machine stop between stitches but will not change the stitch type.

Once you have made the step an applique it will turn yellow. The embroidery machine now knows to stop after this step. 

Step 2: Create a tack down stitch (optional)

If you have applique pieces already cut out you would use this step to attach the piece to your hoop fabric.

To create this stitch select the last running stitch and copy and paste it. Select the new copy and  change the stitch from a running stitch to E/V Stitch. Be sure to change the colour so the embroidery machine will stop between stitches. 

When you have this stitch selected you can choose between an E stitch or a V stitch. You can select which stitch you would like under the Sewing Attributes window.

Alternatively: To make the step an applique select the step in the Sewing Order pane and in the colour window choose the Tack Down / Covering Stitch icon. You will still need to change the stitch type to an E/V stitch.

Step 3: Create a Covering Stitch

This step creates a Satin or Zigzag stitch which will cover the edge and the previous stitches of your applique.

To create this stitch select the last stitch you created and copy and paste it. Select the new copy and change it to Zigzag. Be sure to change the colour so the embroidery machine will stop between stitches. 

Alternatively: To make the step an applique select the step in the Sewing Order pane and in the colour window choose the Tack Down / Covering Stitch icon. You will still need to change the stitch type to a Zigzag stitch.
This stitch can be edited in the Sewing Attributes window. You can adjust the width of the stitch as well as the density.