How to Make a Leather Applique
- 1). Draw or trace a pattern for your applique on a piece of heavy cardboard and cut it out with a scissors. Be sure that the design will fit on your background fabric and make sure it is not too big.
- 2). Lay a cutting board or cutting surface on your table.
- 3). Place your piece of leather on the cutting surface with the right side down. Trace around the pattern with a marker or pen.
- 4). Use a straight edge and a sharp utility knife to cut the leather along straight lines of your pattern. Press firmly on the straight edge as you cut the leather. For the rounded edges of your design, use your cardboard pattern for a cutting edge if it is heavy enough. If not, use a scissors to cut the remainder of the applique.
- 5). Sew around the edge of the applique to attach it to the background fabric. You do not need to worry about turning the edge under as you do with a fabric applique. The edges will not fray. Leather appliques can also be glued in place.
