Three Easy No-Sew Appliqué Techniques & Free Patterns

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Closeup of colorful swatches used in peach pattern, blue pattern and florals with a package of Pellon Wonder Under fusible web to the left.


Try these no-sew appliqué techniques to decorate t-shirts, pillows, tote bags, canvas sneakers, and more!

Cut out designs by hand or with a cutting machine. Below are all the details and free patterns to inspire your next project!

No-Sew Appliqué Technique #1: Fusible Interface

Use fusible interface to give fabric appliqués body and reduce fraying of raw fabric edges.

Fusible interface, also called fusible web, is made from polyester and bonds to fabric by pressing it with an iron. You can buy interfacing in different weights with adhesive on one or both sides.

No-Sew Appliqué Technique #2: Fabric Glue

Fabric glue is great for gluing tiny details. I’ve been using Gorilla Fabric Glue, but there are many other brands available. It dries clear and flexible. It also sets quickly and holds well.

The packaging mentions that it is washer and dryer-safe. I haven’t washed any pieces that I’ve used fabric glue on. Do a test before making t-shirts, canvas sneakers, or other wearables that require washing and drying.

No-Sew Appliqué Technique #3: Mod Podge Fabric

Mod-Podge Fabric is so easy to use. Once applied, it keeps raw fabric edges from fraying. Just apply Mod-Podge Fabric to the back of your fabric with a paintbrush and adhere it to your fabric! Mod-Podge Fabric is washable and great for tote bags and more.

Projects to Try

Snowflake Pillows

Make these beautiful snowflake pillows using a paper-backed fusible web with a double-adhesive like Pellon Wonder Under.

For this project, I ironed the rough side of the Pellon Wonder Under interface to the back of cotton buffalo check fabric and cut the snowflake shapes using my Cricut Maker.

After cutting, I peeled the paper backing off and ironed it to my pillow. For iron settings and time, follow the directions on the back of the package. Download the Snowflake SVG and PDF Pattern Files here.

Photo of two white pillows with two different snowflake appliqued onto them. One has a red plaid snowflake and the other has a gray and black buffalo check snowflake.
Appliqué Using Fusible Interface

Thanksgiving Wall Art

This fun Thanksgiving letter sign was made with cotton quilting fabric fused with Pellon Wonder Under. Then I ironed the fabric letters directly onto poster board!

DIY Thanksgiving Fabric Wall Art feature
Appliqué Using Fusible Interface

Woodland Felt Animals

These cute no-sew felt patches were assembled with fabric glue. They’re easy to make and great for decorating gifts, journals, and wearables. Find the full woodland animals felt tutorial and patterns here.

Photo of four handmade felt animal faces, one of a black bear, a rabbit, a moose and a fox. The image shows different uses like the fox patch on a leather journal and the bear is on a card. Beneath the card is a natural brown envelope. This is a vertical image to pin to your Pinterest craft board to come back to this project later.
Woodland Animal Felties Assemble With Fabric Glue

Love & Hearts Zipper Pouches

This no-sew fabric appliqué zipper pouch is made by cutting simple appliqué shapes from cotton fabric (by hand or with a cutting machine) and adhering them to a canvas zipper pouch using Mod Podge for Fabric. The fabric pieces are coated on both the back and top, drying clear to create a washable, no-sew appliqué finish. Download the free SVG art here to cut these designs out using your cutting machine.

Three finished zipper pouches with fabric applique - XOXO, hearts and Love imagery
Appliqué Using Mod Podge Fabric
Star divider used has two hand drawn lines with a star in the center, used as a content break and signals new or different content below. This doodle style illustration is in a medium charcoal gray.

– MORE TO EXPLORE –

Hand-Painted Tea Towels + Felt Air Fresheners + Rainbow Pillow Pattern

Photo of a vinyl stencil on a tea towel with a palette of mixed paint to the side and a finish rose painted in pink, magenta and shades of peach with green or the leaves.
Three tall coffee cup, latte and milk shake designs shown as DIY Felt Air Fresheners on a white background with colorful dot candies.
Closeup photo of pom pom fringe in four colors, mint green, light lilac, creamsicle orange and light lemon pinned in place with matching thread spools on top ready for hand sewing.
Photo of a vinyl stencil on a tea towel with a palette of mixed paint to the side and a finish rose painted in pink, magenta and shades of peach with green or the leaves.
Hand-Painted Tea Towels
Three tall coffee cup, latte and milk shake designs shown as DIY Felt Air Fresheners on a white background with colorful dot candies.
Felt Air Fresheners
Closeup photo of pom pom fringe in four colors, mint green, light lilac, creamsicle orange and light lemon pinned in place with matching thread spools on top ready for hand sewing.
Rainbow Pillow Pattern

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