The question I get asked most often is whether or not the edges on the appliques fray.
My offical answer: Just a little.
The Wonder Under stops most of the fraying. The straight stitch will stop the rest.
You can do a tight zig zag (satin stitch) and enclose the edges completely, if you prefer.
Here are 3 examples from Bennett’s closet. They’ve all been washed repeatedly.
Click on the picture to enlarge.
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CN6KiiVZYlI/TeaAybrWbsI/AAAAAAAAM0s/JiS3YLmK4dU/pyp_button1%252520%2525282%252529.jpg")
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JN1bzpu-xdY/ToZQk-FwNmI/AAAAAAAANbo/wAjpPs9eThA/Plum_Banners_250_250_V4_D1.jpg")
thanks for sharing…that is not bad at all…almost un-noticable. oh, now i can't wait for nap time!
I bought my son a onesie like this on Etsy a few months ago, and its frayed a little, but I think it adds character. It's like distressing furniture, but for clothes! Thanks for the tutorial, btw. I'd love to make my own onesies, considering my baby grows right out of them.
)
I must be odd cuz I like a little fray lol. these are so cute
I made a spiderman one tonight and my three year old flipped out over it. Next time I will make a wax paper template so I can see better to center my circle (I was using a patterned fabric and I wanted to avoid the other Spidermen) if I am using a print I want centered…now to find the prefect fabric for a birthday shirt and hat.
Can you tell I am smitten with this idea? It's like I've been thinking about it and finally got to it and now can't get enough.
The simplicity of the straight stitch makes it way more appealing than the zig zag, IMO.
Thanks for adding the followers button! I'm there, girlfriend!
Traci
exactly the question i was seeking when i came across your blog. do you use knit fabrics or woven fabrics when doing applique?
I use woven fabrics.
you are so talented! I love your fabric choices! Do you remember where you got them?
Kelly, the fabric on the left came from a local store called Cotton Shops. The one in the middle is from Hobby Lobby. The one on the right is Amy Butler from several years back. I think it was from her Belle collection.
I so wish I had seen this before I struggled with trying to do all these fancy stitches around my first applique project. I of course called my mom and she told me about this method, so I am redoing it all. I still had your blog up and clicked on something and saw your FAQ. Whew. I should have listened to you and my mom in the first place, and I'd be done!