Applique is a well-known quilting technique where smaller pieces of fabric are applied on a larger base fabric to create a design or image of some sort. There are many ways to do applique depending on the desired finished look. In traditional applique, the raw edges of the applied pieces are turned under before or while they are being applied.
Embroidery uses decorative hand or machine stitches and specialty threads to create images and designs on the surface of fabric. For more information about embroidery, visit the Embroidery Site here at Bellaonline.com.
Gathering is the process of running a line of straight stitches through fabric either by hand or machine and then pulling on the thread, causing the fabric to bunch up along the thread. This is a generalized technique that is the basis of several other, more specific, applications such as ruching or shirring.
Pleating, in its simplest form, is the process of folding fabric over and back on itself so that the fabric overlaps. Pleats are used to shape fabric and control fullness. Pleats can be pressed or sewn down to create a crisper, more formal look or left loose. A common use of pleating is at the waist of garments such as in this example of a pleated skirt shown below.
Pleating can be done in different ways to achieve specific results. Below, I will briefly introduce a few of the different types of pleats.
Accordion pleats are made by folding fabric back and forth in equal width folds (think of how a fan is folded).
Box pleats are created by making two pleats in such a way that the folded edges face each other. Box pleats add more fullness than standard pleats.
Knife pleats are same size pleats folded in the same direction in a uniform manner.
