Faggoting Smocking and its variations 154 7. Applique: Applique is a cutout piece of fabric that is stitched to a larger background for decoration. An applique can be purchased or made by cutting out a design from one or more fabrics. Fabrics that ravels easily should not be used. Applique is a very effective trim for childrens garments. It can be applied on pockets, yokes, above the hemline etc. The applique work on the right front corner just above the hemline looks attractive.

b. Cutting Fabric: Keep the ends and sides of the material parallel with table edges at all times so that the grain never shift. Walk around the table for cutting, instead of pulling the material. Moving the pattern and material will shift the grain and result in uneven cutting. Do not pick up the 119 cloth from the table or slip the left hand between the cloth and the table. Hold the left hand down on the pattern close to the cutting edge and cut with long even strokes with right hand. Keep the cutting blade or shears resting on the table. Have the thumb in the round handle and the fingers in the long handle, so that shears will not slice at an angle. Cut with long, smooth strokes with the full length of the shears. Cut exactly even with the cutting edge as indicated on the pattern. Cut notches outward. Two or three notches may be cut as one wide notch. Look over the guide sheet or pattern to find out if extra pieces will be needed in finishing, such as shaped facings, bias binding, striaght bands for cuffs or strips for piped buttonholes.