<p>When I started doing applique years ago, I used a satin stitch on my machine, this tight zig zag technique was fast and easy albeit very thread heavy. Since then, I'd use a longer stitch which isn't as bulky and still keeps the fabric from fraying. True applique is the slow, turn over and stitch. Satin stitching can be fun. <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/aSQjB.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/aSQjB.jpg" alt="satin stitch"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-04-05T19:03:16.260Z
2017-04-09T20:48:40.970Z
2017-04-09T20:48:40.970Z
Not The Face
<p>The "iron-on stuff to stick them together" that you'd heard about is called <strong>fusible interfacing.</strong> For satin, you will be looking for a "lightweight" or "feather" interfacing that has heat-activated adhesive.</p>

<p>It only needs a second or less of contact with an iron to melt to fabric, and  will not bleed through like glue. I recently used it to attach lace to satin, and it performed beatifully. Satin to a thicker base fabric should be similarly successful. Just make sure your iron isn't on the hottest setting -- neither the fabric nor the interfacing need that much heat :)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-26T16:58:56.793Z
The first step of ironing the interfacing into the lace (while still on its paper backing), I had a paper grocery bag underneath. When I peeled the lace and interfacing backing off​ the bag, the interfacing stuck to the paper bag in spots where the lace holes were.
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-27T19:17:57.570Z
Will fusible interfacing keep the satin from fraying too, or do you still need to hem the edges separately?
user812786
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-27T20:22:25.937Z
It will _probably_ keep the edges from fraying, but I can't actually speak to that from experience -- I'm just assuming, because of the adhesive. Running a very thin bead of [fray check](https://www.google.com/search?q=fray+check) may help, but I'd test on a small swatch of fabric first to make sure it doesn't bleed the colors or appear unpleasant. (I've used it on satin-ish fabrics without trouble, but it takes a bit of practice.)
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-29T11:23:41.567Z
Actually, [glitter glue](http://www.joann.com/crafts-hobbies/basic-craft-supplies/craft-supplies/glitter-and-glitter-glue/) could be a really cool fray check alternative -- a nice silver edging along the black skyline? (Just brainstorming!)
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-26T15:05:55.340Z
2017-03-26T15:05:55.340Z
Erica
<p>I'm making a skirt, and I'd like to attach an applique of a thin satiny fabric to the thicker base fabric. It's going to be in the shape of a city skyline, with the satiny stuff as the buildings. It's a circle skirt, like this:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/XWUmq.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/XWUmq.png" alt="Gotham city skyline skirt"></a>
except the buildings will go all the way around. I'm going to use a bias tape for the bottom hem of the skirt, and I have the waist all figured out too. but I don't know how to attach the top, cut-out edge of the black satin. </p>

<p>It won't be able to take much heat from ironing, and will probably need to be hemmed to keep fraying apart. If I try to glue it on, the glue will probably show through. </p>

<p>My original plan was to cut the black as one big round and jagged piece, fold over a hem along the top and sew it on with a sewing machine. I'm abandoning this idea due to not having really used a sewing machine in years and because of all the turning and narrow bits and detail required. The project is also too big to be able to keep flat and even in a sewing machine. Furthermore, I'm not sure if I can make a crisp hem with limited ability to iron the fabric.</p>

<p>Alternative ideas have been some kind of iron-on stuff to stick them together, or some kind of spray-on sticky stuff, but I don't have any experience with that kind of thing, so I don't know what to choose. Plus, they may require heats greater than what this fabric can stand.</p>

<p>The technique that would probably look best would be to hand sew the entire thing with a small blanket stitch, but that'd be a LOT of sewing- and I only have 2 weeks to finish it. </p>

<p>Finally, a last case idea was to abandon the satin altogether and use fabric markers or paint to make the buildings, but I would prefer the look of the fabric.  </p>

<adhesives><sewing><clothing><fabric>
How can I attach a large satin applique to a skirt?
Mary ML
# How can I attach a large satin applique to a skirt?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-03-26)

I'm making a skirt, and I'd like to attach an applique of a thin satiny fabric to the thicker base fabric. It's going to be in the shape of a city skyline, with the satiny stuff as the buildings. It's a circle skirt, like this:
[![Gotham city skyline skirt](https://i.sstatic.net/XWUmq.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/XWUmq.png)
except the buildings will go all the way around. I'm going to use a bias tape for the bottom hem of the skirt, and I have the waist all figured out too. but I don't know how to attach the top, cut-out edge of the black satin.

It won't be able to take much heat from ironing, and will probably need to be hemmed to keep fraying apart. If I try to glue it on, the glue will probably show through.

My original plan was to cut the black as one big round and jagged piece, fold over a hem along the top and sew it on with a sewing machine. I'm abandoning this idea due to not having really used a sewing machine in years and because of all the turning and narrow bits and detail required. The project is also too big to be able to keep flat and even in a sewing machine. Furthermore, I'm not sure if I can make a crisp hem with limited ability to iron the fabric.

Alternative ideas have been some kind of iron-on stuff to stick them together, or some kind of spray-on sticky stuff, but I don't have any experience with that kind of thing, so I don't know what to choose. Plus, they may require heats greater than what this fabric can stand.

The technique that would probably look best would be to hand sew the entire thing with a small blanket stitch, but that'd be a LOT of sewing- and I only have 2 weeks to finish it.

Finally, a last case idea was to abandon the satin altogether and use fabric markers or paint to make the buildings, but I would prefer the look of the fabric.

**Tags:** adhesives, sewing, clothing, fabric


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-03-26. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

The "iron-on stuff to stick them together" that you'd heard about is called **fusible interfacing.** For satin, you will be looking for a "lightweight" or "feather" interfacing that has heat-activated adhesive.

It only needs a second or less of contact with an iron to melt to fabric, and will not bleed through like glue. I recently used it to attach lace to satin, and it performed beatifully. Satin to a thicker base fabric should be similarly successful. Just make sure your iron isn't on the hottest setting -- neither the fabric nor the interfacing need that much heat :)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: The first step of ironing the interfacing into the lace (while still on its paper backing), I had a paper grocery bag underneath. When I peeled the lace and interfacing backing off​ the bag, the interfacing stuck to the paper bag in spots where the lace holes were.  
> **username_3**: Will fusible interfacing keep the satin from fraying too, or do you still need to hem the edges separately?  
> **username_2**: It will _probably_ keep the edges from fraying, but I can't actually speak to that from experience -- I'm just assuming, because of the adhesive. Running a very thin bead of [fray check](https://www.google.com/search?q=fray+check) may help, but I'd test on a small swatch of fabric first to make sure it doesn't bleed the colors or appear unpleasant. (I've used it on satin-ish fabrics without trouble, but it takes a bit of practice.)  
> **username_2**: Actually, [glitter glue](http://www.joann.com/crafts-hobbies/basic-craft-supplies/craft-supplies/glitter-and-glitter-glue/) could be a really cool fray check alternative -- a nice silver edging along the black skyline? (Just brainstorming!)  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2017-04-05. Score: 0

When I started doing applique years ago, I used a satin stitch on my machine, this tight zig zag technique was fast and easy albeit very thread heavy. Since then, I'd use a longer stitch which isn't as bulky and still keeps the fabric from fraying. True applique is the slow, turn over and stitch. Satin stitching can be fun. [![satin stitch](https://i.sstatic.net/aSQjB.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/aSQjB.jpg)


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