Video - How to use the Open Toe applique foot

The video explains how to use the open toe applique foot on a Pfaff sewing machine. Applique by hand can take hours, but using a sewing machine you can zip through a few applique designs within an hour, using the correct foot, of course!

Using the open toe applique foot

What You Need: Fabric pieces (main background & applique shape), fusible interfacing, scissors, sewing machine, thread, stabilizer (optional but helpful), iron.

• Design & Cut: Draw or trace your applique shape onto the paper side of the fusible web.

  Roughly cut out the shape (leaving a margin around the drawn line).

• Fuse: Place the fusible web (rough/glue side down) onto the wrong side of your applique fabric. Iron according to directions (usually 2-3 seconds with steam). This bonds the glue to the fabric.

  Now cut out the applique shape exactly on the line you drew.

• Position & Secure: Peel off the paper backing from your cut applique shape.

  Place it glue-side down onto the right side of your background fabric. Iron firmly to bond it temporarily. (Optional: Add a washable glue stick or pins around edges for extra security while sewing).

• TIP: Place a piece of tear-away or cut-away stabilizer under the background fabric where you'll sew. This prevents puckering, especially with dense stitches.

Stitch Selection Options & Settings:

• Satin Zigzag Stitch; Dense, smooth finish, covers raw edges.   
  Length: 0.3 - 0.7mm (very short!). Width: 3.0 - 5.0mm. Tension: Test! (Often needs lowering)
• Blanket Stitch; Decorative edge, rustic/folksy look.    
  Length: 2.0 - 3.0mm. Width: 3.0 - 5.0mm. Tension: Normal.

Stitch Along The Edge:

Position: Place the fabric under the presser foot so the needle will pierce the background fabric just outside the applique edge and swing over the applique edge (for Zigzag/Satin/Blanket stitch). For Straight stitch, stitch just inside or outside the edge.

Start: Lower the needle by hand into the correct starting position. Take 2-3 tiny locking stitches or hold the threads for the first few stitches.

Stitch: Sew slowly and steadily around the entire shape.

Corners/Curves: For Zigzag/Satin/Blanket stitch: Stop with the needle down in the background fabric (on the outside of the stitch) when you reach a corner. Lift the presser foot, pivot the fabric slightly, lower the foot, and continue. For tight curves, pivot frequently with the needle down. For Straight Stitch: Pivot at corners with the needle down.

Lock stitches at the end (2-3 tiny stitches or pull threads to back and knot).

Trim all thread tails.

If you used stabilizer, carefully tear it away (tear-away) or trim close to the stitching (cut-away).

Give the applique a final iron from the wrong side if needed and view your newly created applique design.