Applique Your Way!- Giveaway

ETA: We have a winner, and it’s PJ (comment #24)!! Thanks to all who entered, the drawing is now closed.

If you ever read Adorn (RIP),  you probably know the work of Kayte Terry (or, perhaps you know her blog, This is Love Forever). I’d known Kayte for a long time via my crafty internet circle, and then had the chance to work with her as the stylist for many a photo shoot. Kayte has a great eye for color, display, and, well, just putting things together. Which is why it makes perfect sense that she would write a book all about embellishing: Appliqué Your Way

projects, crochet, sewing, books 005

applique (noun) ornamentation, as a cutout design, that is sewn on to or otherwise applied to a piece of material

In this book, Kayte explores the myriad ways to accent your home and wardrobe, using all sorts of techniques including sewing, gluing, and even pasting things to your wall. The book contains several contributions by crafty ladies, and with a quick flip of the pages you can probably tell which project was mine…

applique your way

This crocheted applique tee came out of my idea to do a crocheted mesh piece covering a deep V neckline and add floral elements to that mesh. Of course, it can be difficult to find a deep V-neck t-shirt when you need one, so the result was slightly less dramatic (but more wearable, which is a good thing). I love to apply crochet to garments, and this design definitely lets you decide where you want to put all of the piecces.

There are lots of cute and clever projects in this book– I wish I had taken more photos to show you. (For more project peeks, head over to Craftypod or The Constant Gatherer.) Think of it as a guide to making your own clothes like those you’d find at Anthropologie, using your own stash of fabrics, bits and bobs. These projects are great because you can start with something that fits–whether you made it yourself or bought it– and go to town decorating it in your own style. Kayte also designed the most adorable home projects, including ornaments, hanger covers, trivets, coasters, cozies and more. It’s definitely worth checking out and there are a couple I have my eye on for when I get back into “crafting for me” time.

If you’d like to be entered to win a free copy of Appliqué Your Way (courtesy of Chronicle Books), leave a comment here by Sunday, December 20th at 12 midnight. In your comment, answer this question: “What’s your favorite way to use applique designs?” Your answer can be a certain thing that you like to decorate, or a certain technique you use, but you must answer the question in order to be entered to win. Good Luck!

  • I've never used applique, but I'm intrigued by it!
  • Alice
    I make scarves, shawls, pillow and purses from felted wool and my favorite thing to applique onto these items are pieces that I have crocheted myself.
  • I've only used applique once and it was on a pencil case I made for my cousin. I'd love to learn more about it and make some fun pillows for our big white couch in the basement.
  • Anne Marie
    I love to use applique to make clothes extra special especially t shirts. I love to decorate clothes for the grandchildren.
  • Rhiannon
    When you're plus-sized it can be tricky finding unique clothes that fit. So my favorite way to use applique is to buy boring clothes and spruce them up by appliqueing little designs and embroidering.
  • I got hooked on applique about 5 years ago and haven't stopped since! I even started a business selling children's appliqued clothing a few years ago. I love to applique anything, though. Even though I applique children's items for work, I love to applique shoes, bags, scarves, robes, etc. I love how you can draw with applique and the layers it creates. I love using all kinds of fabrics, as well...fleece, felt, and cotton. I'm excited to check out this book! Thanks!
  • Leslie
    I use applique to spice up a purse or article of clothing that I would normally get rid of. The Yarnshop isn't the same without you Linda.
  • Oh I've been eyeing up this book! I love to do hand applique with buttonhole stitch, things I can take on the go.... lately I've been doing lots of wool felt applique this way! Yummy!
  • Claudia
    I love, love, love applique and use it quite a lot, on children's things, on cushions, on blankets, on bags just everywhere I can think of and I would also love to have this book. Greetings to you
  • Ali
    What a fun book! Well done, Kayte!
  • I would love to learn more about applique and this book seems like just the ticket to doing so.
  • p.s. i loved Adorn mag... i have all the issues... i miss it! :-(
  • i like to make crochet appliques to cover small holes in t-shirts and sweaters!
  • I love using vintage fabrics and handmade crochet to create applieque'd layers on just about anything, from making new accessories (over-the-top obi-style belts are the current obsession) to updating older garments with some stylin' and profilin' embellishment. ;) (fingers crossed; I've never won a thing!)
  • PJ
    I love anything crochet especially crocheted hats with crochet or felt flowers. I also like making quick simple plain bags and adding appliques to make them more interesting and personal. I've been eyeing this book and would love to win a copy.
  • amanda
    i love them on hats and bags. love your site just found it a few weeks ago!!
  • A gal can never do enough applique. I'd love to have a copy of this book for MORE INSPIRATION ! !
  • I love Kayte's stuff. Applique tarts up a tote so pretty!
  • Odette
    I like to cut out the embroidered parts of vintage linens and applique them onto hanger covers made with thrifted fabric. The problem is, I enjoy doing this so much, I don't have enough clothes to cover! :)
  • I love applique on pillows for the home. I mostly do my own applique on clothing for my son and on blankets and bibs I give as gifts.
    I really want to do a set of pillow and possibly an entire bedding set for our bedroom!
  • I love to use Applique on tee's and totes! Love mixing up colors and fabrics with tons of texture. Kayte Terry is a master!
  • I love using applique on just about anything. I do it on tote bags, my purses I make, clothes, basically whatever stands still long enough! :O)
  • Shannon F.
    There's something very sweet about applique on a baby's Onsie.
  • OOOH I really want to win this REALLY REALLY REALLY bad.
  • MelodyJ
    I like reverse applique on bags.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
  • I do a lot of applique, in lots of different ways. Instead of doing something boring (i.e. a "patch") over a hole or stain, I use an interesting fabric or shape and applique away. Because I have small children, this is something that I do quite often!! It's a fun way to save the life of a garment.
  • I want that book for christmas! I don't do applique now - but I want to learn. Crochet applique is my favorite.
  • I like to do applique on bags, pillows, t-shirts and anything I think would be improved by having some applique on it. Crocheted especially, 'cause I love to crochet.
  • Kristen
    I like that you can recycle with applique and make old things really chic. I crochet mostly, but like hand sewing and knitting too.
  • Kacy
    I like to use appliques to make unique onesies for my daughter. I've made some crocheted flower appliques for this, and I've also used fabrics. One of my favorite techniques is mixed-media applique in which I combine working with fabrics and crochet for the applique and then use embroidery to make the everything "pop." The good thing about using applique on the onesies is that she'll wear whatever I make for her. If it looks bad, she'll outgrow it quickly. And I can be expirimental on the onesies before trying anything new on my own clothes.

    I like the idea of using applique on home decour, something I haven't tried yet. I would love to win this book.

    P.S. You say the contest ends by Sun. December 1st, but this date has already passed. Did you mean Sunday, December, 20? I'm confused.
  • I have tons of ideas swimming around my head and am a novice at these things so am excited to start them. Currently, as I work for a school uniform company, I want to add crocheted and handstiched appliques to some adorable but plain missized uniforms that I have collected at work.
  • I love hand applique on quilts. My mother has some quilts from my great grandmother with hand appliques and I swoon every time I see them!
  • Sounds like a great book! I'd love to do more with applique.
  • kim
    i don't use applique a whole lot, though i do love it on housewares - pillows especially! i once made some curtains and applied applique, which turned out pretty nicely for the room.
  • Anita
    Oh how exciting! I really like to machine applique' things onto T-shirts for my daughter. With my limited amount of child-free time these days, my preference is machine applique.

    Happy Holidays!
  • I love to applique t-shirts and baby onesies. My kids like it that they have a cool one of a kind shirt.
  • Although I love, love, love to apply crochet applique flowers to just about everything that is not names down, applique in the most traditional sense (the kind my mother creates - bapplique@blogspot.com) is my most favorite even though my skills are lacking in this area. I love your blog and your design work. It is a pleasure to be a new follower. ~Kelly

    unDeniably Domestic
  • olga
    I love to decorate my old long used bags with applique. It makes them look as good as new!!
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