What to Do With Those Extra Appliques
By Tameko Barnette – 22 CommentsOne of the most fun things to do with crochet is making appliqués. Whether it’s a beautiful little flower or a pair of bells, we just love to look at them and most of all, we love to create them.
However, there are times when we can make a few too many appliqués and we’re not sure what to do with all of them. Especially, if the crochet sweater or the crochet dish towel have reached their appliqué quota.
Here are a few ideas on what to do with those extra appliqués:
1. Make Bookmarks. Now, this may sound a little complicated but it’s not at all. All you have to do is make a chain of about 20 or 30 chains depending on the size of the books. Then, tie it or sew it to the back of your appliqué.
2. Sew Them Together. You can sew your extra appliqués together to make a nice, super cute mix and match scarf or headwrap. When you sew them together from side to side. It’s a unique and fun way to create something completely new with them.
3. Make Magnets. There are some stores that sell the stripes of magnet with adhesive on the back. You can cut off the size that’s appropriate for the appliqué and put it on the back to make a nice refrigerator magnet.
Oh, here’s a bonus idea for you. Use your extra appliqués as wall decorations. If you have some small nails and wall space. Hang them up to add some extra style and fun to your home décor.
Once you get rolling with these ideas, I’m sure more of them will start pouring in.
Do you have ideas on using extra appliqués? Leave a comment and let us know your creative ideas.
The only good idea is the magnet one.
They are ALL good ideas, you don’t have to be rude Sarah Dee.
I use those clear plastic hooks that use an adhesive strip on the back to hang up my crochet appliques and motifs. I have them all over my walls in my apartment. They look great and I’m surrounded by a garden of crochet. You can crochet vines and leaves to go with them.
Another fun idea is to use appliques when you wrap gifts. Wrap the gift as usual with paper or cloth, then use the applique or a cluster of appliques in place of a bow. If you like, you can also use a crocheted chain of yarn in place of ribbon.
That’s an excellent idea, Lizzie. Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to keep that one in mind. 🙂
@ Sarah Dee: I agree with Angie, that was incredibly rude. :L @ Lizzie: I did something similar when wrapping my cousin’s gift this year. I chained enough to wrap around the box and tie in a bow. Then i used wrapping paper that matched the stuff I used on the box to make the tag and I tied that on. And about the bookmarks, my art teacher has a ton of yarn, and the other classes were making god’s eyes, so I found scrap yarn on the floor. I chained it and tied it into a stretchy loop (never realized how stretchy yarn could be) and used it as a bookmark. The next day I found a gold colored metal bead thing from a purse or from the teacher’s beads, so i tied that on. Now i use t as a bookmark/bracelet/necklace. Oh, and to add something useful, if another hobby of yours or someone you know happens to be dollhouses, you could use the appliques as interesting rugs or wall decorations.
can be out on scrap book pages. add to plain scarfs and hats for additional embellishments. @ Sarah Dee: so uncalled for!
You can also cover a stain on your shirt by sewing on an applique.
I think they would look cute if you made a garland with them to drape across a window or hutch.
If you make doilies that are large enough, you can run a string or elastic around the edge to make a snood.
All you guys have awesome ideas. I don’t have much of a imagination for stuff like this. Thanks so much for these ideas.
I think all of these are good ideas, and like most, I think Sarah Dee’s comment was rude and uncalled for. I did have one idea, though. They make great coasters (depending on size and yarn used)–I had some pineapples left over from a set of doilies and my sister-in-law just loved them as coasters. Thanks, everyone. ~ Dawn ~
I would glue or sew them to grosgrain ribbon for bookmarkers. Also, decorate barrettes & hairbands. They can be used to decoate any kind of fabric items – hats, lampshades, mittens…..
I have joined two medium sized appliqués to make a coin purse or one can add on a strap to make a child’s purse.do keep the ideas coming as they are ever so inspiring.thanks a million.
I like to put a clip on the back for a cute hair accessory for my daughters. Also, I like to put a pin on the back and use it for hat or shirt accessories for me. If you put a pin or clip on the back it makes them so versatile!
So sorry, that’s totally not what I meant to say! It came out totally wrong. I meant that the magnet idea was a good one, not the only one. So sorry.
It’s okay Sarah. I say things that come out wrong also. You were very nice to say Sorry!!!
I used a flower motif to patch a hole in a floral motif sweater.
I used a flower applique to patch a hole in an elaborate knitted sweater.
I have a bookmark where there’s a cute flower on one end and a leaf on the other end. It’s my favorite bookmark… lol my baby daughter loves it too and snitches it from my nook when i leave one to close to her level. Thank you for sharing your ideas!
you cn aalso attach them to hair bands, hair elastics, make hey chains, make cell phone charms out of the very small ones, attach them to cell phone cases, or use them as accessories for amigurumi, like watermelons for them to nom on, or flowers for them to hold.
Another idea is to make a door curtain – you just attach the appliques to long chains. They’re also great for kids party bags – way better than sending them home with lollies or useless (but expensive!) plastic things that break in no time. The other parents appreciate it too 🙂