{"id":11118494,"date":"2026-05-24T20:11:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T14:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/?p=11118494"},"modified":"2026-05-24T22:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T16:30:02","slug":"how-to-sew-satin-stitch-applique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/how-to-sew-satin-stitch-applique\/","title":{"rendered":"Sewing Machine settings for a Satin Stitch Applique"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Any one who has a home sewing machine will have a zig zag stitch and any one with a zig zag machine can make satin stitch applique &#8211; And, Satin Stitch Applique is considered as the holy grail of applique technique. But, it is not a matter of just &#8220;keep your fabric on top of your clothing and stitching it there&#8221; easy. There are some steps which will ensure that you will get a good result the first time you do it.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/how-to-sew-satin-stitch-applique\/#Transfer_the_applique_design_on_the_fabric\" >Transfer the applique design on the fabric<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/how-to-sew-satin-stitch-applique\/#Change_the_settings_of_the_machine\" >Change the settings of the machine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/how-to-sew-satin-stitch-applique\/#Apply_interfacing\" >Apply interfacing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/how-to-sew-satin-stitch-applique\/#Baste_the_design\" >Baste the design<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/how-to-sew-satin-stitch-applique\/#Cut_out_the_design\" >Cut out the design<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/how-to-sew-satin-stitch-applique\/#Satin_stitch\" >Satin stitch<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-appliqu-331-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11118509\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-appliqu-331-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-appliqu-331-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Related post : <a href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/how-to-do-applique\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5686\">All the ways to do applique with sewing machine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The process of Satin stitch applique is as follows: You cut out the design shape and place it on your base fabric and stitch the edges with dense zigzag stitch aka satin stitch on your sewing machine. The closely packed stitches completely cover the raw edges of the design. The slightly raised decorative stitching is the highlight of this applique technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-background-color has-background\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Transfer_the_applique_design_on_the_fabric\"><\/span><strong>Transfer the applique design on the fabric <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can draw the design free hand or transfer from somewhere with transfer sheets. Cut it out with 1 inch around atleast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11118505\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-background-color has-background\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Change_the_settings_of_the_machine\"><\/span><strong>Change the settings of the machine<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I always set my sewing machine to a Stitch width above 2.5 mm and a stitch length under 1 (usually .5); And  reduce the tension a little bit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"838\" src=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11118502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-2-768x335.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-2-1536x670.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Use these settings, to be precise<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"overflow-x:auto; margin:20px 0;\">\n  <table style=\"width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\">\n    <thead>\n      <tr style=\"background-color:#f4f4f4;\">\n        <th style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px; text-align:left;\">Setting<\/th>\n        <th style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px; text-align:left;\">Recommended Range<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">Stitch Width<\/td>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">2.5 mm \u2013 5 mm<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">Stitch Length<\/td>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">0.2 mm \u2013 0.5 mm<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">Upper Tension<\/td>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">2.5 \u2013 4<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">Presser Foot Pressure<\/td>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">Reduced Slightly<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">Speed<\/td>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">Medium to Slow<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">Needle Position<\/td>\n        <td style=\"border:1px solid #ccc; padding:12px;\">Center<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"8\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"border-collapse:collapse; width:100%; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\">\n<tr>\n<th>Fabric Weight<\/th>\n<th>Needle Type<\/th>\n<th>Thread Type<\/th>\n<th>Tension Setting<\/th>\n<th>Interfacing<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr>\n<td>Lightweight<\/td>\n<td>Microtex 70\/10<\/td>\n<td>60 wt Rayon<\/td>\n<td>2.5\u20133<\/td>\n<td>Lightweight Fusible Tricot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr>\n<td>Midweight<\/td>\n<td>Embroidery 75\/11<\/td>\n<td>40 wt Polyester<\/td>\n<td>3\u20134<\/td>\n<td>Woven Fusible Interfacing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<tr>\n<td>Heavyweight<\/td>\n<td>Embroidery 90\/14<\/td>\n<td>40 wt Polyester<\/td>\n<td>4\u20135<\/td>\n<td>Medium-Weight Fusible Woven<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is the video tutorial if you would rather watch the steps, starting from drawing the rose shape:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"adthrive-video-player in-post\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\" data-video-id=\"J8lsfJf6\" data-player-type=\"default\" orientation=\"vertical\" override-embed=\"default\">\n\t\t\t<meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2026-05-24T14:04:25+00:00\" \/>\n\t\t<meta itemprop=\"name\" content=\"Satin stitch Applique rose \" \/>\n\t\t<meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/content.jwplatform.com\/thumbs\/J8lsfJf6-720.jpg\" \/>\n\t\t<meta itemprop=\"contentUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/content.jwplatform.com\/videos\/J8lsfJf6.mp4\" \/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p> By <a href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/thin-lightweight-fabrics\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"35694\">light weight I mean fabrics <\/a>that are soft, thin, and delicate, which includes materials like silk, chiffon, and rayon. You have to be very careful with these. By medium weight, I mean fabrics such as quilting cotton, linen, and poplin. Heavyweight fabrics<a href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/best-heavy-weight-fabrics\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34049\"> include thick fabrics<\/a> like canvas, denim, and wool coating. The best in my opinion are medium weight fabrics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What I have found is that there is no need to match the base and the design fabric &#8211; you can applique anything on anything &#8211; just ensure that the design fabric is not so heavy that it will weigh down the base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-background-color has-background\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Apply_interfacing\"><\/span><strong>Apply interfacing <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I interface the design fabric , not the base fabric. But interfacing can also be added to the background fabric depending on the fabric type and stitch density. Interfacing prevents the dreaded fabric puckers and tunneling and the edges of the curves distorting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Baste_the_design\"><\/span>Baste the design<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I usually use fabric glue for this. But this time I used hem tape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"496\" height=\"617\" src=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-212.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11118522\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Just put some scrap pieces of the hem tape and iron in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-64.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11118506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-64.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-64-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>No more shifting of the piece as you sew &#8211; and no interfering and needle-busting pins along the stitching area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sew in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-51.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11118507\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-51.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-51-768x378.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Using a long stitch length, sew the design along the mark of the design. Be careful as you sew to pivot with the needle in the fabric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-background-color has-background\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cut_out_the_design\"><\/span><strong>Cut out the design <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you have finished stitching along the periphery of your design, start to cut it out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/duckbill-scissors23.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11118508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/duckbill-scissors23.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/duckbill-scissors23-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Use duckbill scissors for the best result. This scissors can be used flat against the base fabric, so you can cut out the design fabric as close as possible to the stitching line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Satin_stitch\"><\/span>Satin stitch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Change the machine settings according to your fabric and the result you want. Refer the table I have given above. Stitch over the stitching line, covering the fabric edge fully with tightly packed zig zag stitches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"801\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-21-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11118504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-21-1.jpg 801w, https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/satin-stitch-applique-21-1-768x647.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 801px) 100vw, 801px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on the quality of your sewing machine stitches, you will have to go over the stitching again. Mine was not the greatest and the tension was so bad, the bobbin thread was coming up. After adjustments and going over the stitching once again, I got a passable applique design, which could have been better. I would try this on a garment next. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My learnings : Never ever pull the fabric as you sew. I got some distorted stitches because I pulled. And also becaue I forgot to pivot with the needle down.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related posts : Best<a href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/hand-applique\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"23549\"> stitches to hand sew applique<\/a> ; <a href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/zig-zag-stitch\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"35967\">Zigzag stitch setting<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Any one who has a home sewing machine will have a zig zag stitch and any one with a zig zag machine can make satin stitch applique &#8211; And, Satin Stitch Applique is considered as the holy grail of applique technique. But, it is not a matter of just &#8220;keep your fabric on top of &#8230; <a title=\"Sewing Machine settings for a Satin Stitch Applique\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/how-to-sew-satin-stitch-applique\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Sewing Machine settings for a Satin Stitch Applique\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11118504,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11118494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fabric-decoration"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11118494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11118494"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11118494\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11118504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11118494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11118494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sewguide.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11118494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}