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Inspiration: 23 Appliqué Ideas

The design possibilities with appliqué are almost endless. Whether your playing with texture, color, or transparency in a garment, appliqué always adds a couture touch.

Here are 23 different appliqué ideas, from vintage fashion to the runways.

images, clockwise from top left: Giuseppe Di Morabito jacket, Paris street style by unknown designer, Coat from Glamour France spread, Alabama Chanin coat, Appliqué coat by unknown designer

images, clockwise from top left: Delpozo Fall 2015, Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2015 wool shift dress with laser cut leather appliqué, Creatures of the Wind Spring 2014

images, from left to right: Vintage pink satin cocktail dress with velvet appliqué, Red Valentino Fall 2017, Leather appliqué by unknown designer, Valentino, Fall 2014

images, from left to right: Oscar de la Renta Fall 2017, Kate Spade Fall 2017, Prada Summer 2013

images, clockwise from top left: Sass & Bide Spring 2014, Vintage Jean Patou dress, Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2015, Temperley London Spring 2013, Valentino Spring 2017

images, clockwise from top left: Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring 2013 by unknown designer, Carven Spring 2014, Mara Hoffman black wool appliqué skirt

Katie Whittle

Producer

Katie teaches new skills through in-depth tutorials, sewalongs, and articles for Seamwork Magazine and The Colette Blog. She's all about encouraging sewers to try new techniques and create a personalized wardrobe that makes them feel great!

Comments

Meg White

April 6, 2017 #

Wow, so many pretty ideas! Could you do a tutorial on how to applique a scalloped hem like the vintage cocktail dress? Thanks!

Kirstin

April 8, 2017 #

I could tell you the theatre cheat way to do it….. Use a plate or cup, or can as a template, trace half circles around the bottom of the skirt, cut scallops cut a facing to match, at least add deep as the half circle scallopsscallops, sew around the edges of the scallops, clip and notch the sculpted bottom, flip the facing to the inside, finish edge of facing with the finishing of your choice, hand baste top of facing to inside of skirt.

Jenny

April 7, 2017 #

I want to learn to make the dress from Red Valentino 2017! Loving the ruffles by the neck and the see through sleeves. So dreamy!

Jenny

April 7, 2017 #

Also, summer wedding season is approaching! Any new dresses coming up in the next issues that’ll be fitting as a wedding guest?

Asumpta

April 18, 2017 #

This is just what i needed

Mae

April 25, 2017 #

I love the faux? leather applique and all the floral embroidered ones. I also liked the other inspiration blog post about Dark florals..guess I’m in a floral mood!