Machine Applique with Silhouettee Cameo

I'll start off this post with a confession: This was not as easy as I thought it was going to be.  It took a lot of trial and error, but that will just make it easier for next time.  This month, in sticking with the original silhouette challenge, I wanted to do something I had never done before.  I LOVE when my cameo meets my other favorite hobby...sewing!  I just got a really awesome new embroidery machine and I'm loving every second with it.  So anyway, I'm blabbing and carrying on...let's get on to the tutorial.

In light of Valentine's Day, I found this really cute double heart applique design at GG Designs (This will take you right to the heart, but there are a lot of awesome designs there). I wanted to see if it would be easier if I cut out the pieces first rather than having to trim them in the hoop.

First I had to delete all the fancy embroidery lines in my embroidery software so I could get it as basic as possible. Make sure you undo this, otherwise you'll lose those lines.

And this is what I got when I took a screen shot. This doesn't lend itself to be traced very nicely. So, I traced it using the "Draw a curve shape" tool as highlighted below.

See it highlighted there in the yellow?  So I just traced it point by point. You also need to make sure you resize it to be about the same size as the embroidery file. Ask me how I know.

 

I missed getting a picture of the next couple steps...oops!  I put freezer paper on the back of my fabric to stabilize it.  Make sure it is really tacked down, you don't want it to drag or slip when the blade touches it. I also don't remember what settings I used, but they wouldn't be the same as yours because my blade is really dull and needs replaced!

Then I placed my hearts, once cut out, where I thought they would look best on the towel.  Getting pretty excited about this. However, I cut them too small the first time, so I had to recut.  And I still didn't get them quite big enough, but it worked out okay.

 

Then you just run your embroidery machine the same way you would if you were doing applique the other way.

 

Like I said, it isn't perfect, but it was fun and it turned out pretty cute.  I like how it looks hanging out on my stove.

For more inspiration for using your cameo to do projects with fabric, check out my fellow bloggers projects:

1. No-Sew Valentine's Day Pillows by A Tossed Salad Life
2. No-Sew Interchangeable Fabric Bunting by unOriginal Mom
3. Monogrammed Burlap Garden Flag by The Turquoise Home
4. Crawl, Walk, Bike by It's Always Craft Time
5. Freezer Paper Stenciled Tote Bags by Weekend Craft
6. DIY Bleach Spray Shirt by Practically Functional
7. Stenciling Sherlock by Please Excuse My Craftermath...
8. Felt Star Wands by Cutesy Crafts
9. Yoda Kid's T-Shirt by Architecture of a Mom
10. Mark Your Territory- Dog Flags by Black and White Obsession
11. Nautical Pillows by Lil' Mrs. Tori
12. Big Sister Gift & Silhouette Cut File by Creative Ramblings
13. Nerdy Baby Onesies + Free Cut File by Essentially Eclectic
14. Easy Easter Bunny Onesie - Silhouette Cameo Craft by Adventures in All Things Food & Family
15. Fabric Envelopes for LEARNING LETTERS! (& cut file) by From Wine to Whine
16. "Good Morning, Sunshine!" Memo Board by Tried & True
17. Hearts-A-Lot Burlap Pillow Cover by My Paper Craze
18. Baby Quilt by Dragonfly & Lily Pads
19. Surprise Holiday Banner by Whats Next Ma
20. "Team Betty" Tote Bag by The Thinking Closet
21. DIY Sock Minion by Create it. Go!
22. Pretty Up Some Organza Bags by Getsilvered
23. Easy Heart Appliqued Onsies by Create & Babble
24. Bleach Pen Gel & Freezer Paper Stencils Made with the Silhouette Machine by Bringing Creativity 2 Life
25. Valentines Baby Onesie & Boy's Shirt + Free Cut Files by The Frill of Life
26. Valentine's OWL Always Love You T-shirt by My Favorite Finds
27. DIY Screen Printed Curtains by Chicken Scratch NY
28. Fabric Painted Quilted Wall Hanging by Terri Johnson Creates
29. Glitter Iron-On Top by Simply Kelly Designs
30. DIY Monogrammed T-shirts with Silhouette Heat Transfer Material by Pitter and Glink
31. Birthday Challenge by Fadville
32. Machine Applique with SIlhouette Cameo by The Sensory Emporium
33. Fabric Applique Valentine's Day T-Shirt by DailyDwelling
34. "Cute as Cupid" shirt by crafts, cakes, and cats
35. Sew Cute Applique by Life After Laundry
36. Rhino Onesie by It Happens in a Blink
37. Upcycled Birchbox Cameo Accesory Organizer by Cupcakes&Crowbars
38. Customizing textiles with Heat Transfer Vinyl (working title) by feto soap
39. Easy Fabric Art by McCall Manor
40. Lady Bug Tote Bag with Silhouette Rhinestones by Ginger Snap Crafts
41. Mommy and Em's Coordinated Aprons by TitiCrafty
42. Canvas sketch project and a share by Clever Someday
43. Foxy Lady Pajamas by Mabey She Made It
44. Teddy Bear by Work in Progress