Handmade Patches/Appliques???

I am trying to make my own designs as far as patches/appliques go but i am having the hardest time trying to get the shapes cut out of the actual fabric without them unravelling or looking sloppy. any tips on this would be greatly appreciated...

 

I might be way off base, as sewing isn't my strong point, but wouldn't edging them in latex/acrylic paint work? I make painted patches, and they don't frey (fray?) as the paint seals the fibers together. And, if you are sewing over it, the paint wouldn't show... right?

But paint is my solution to everything.. in my mind, somedays paint is the answer to the question of World Peace! haha! Here are a couple patches that I made, with paint, and they aren't frayed (freyed?) at all.

 

great craft idea

 

Use an iron on stablizer like wonder under or something like that. It will stabilize the fabric before you sew it so it doesn't fray and it will support it while you are sewing it on the fabric.

Kathi

 

painting, that's a really great idea. and those patches are awesome! did you just do those on white fabric and cut them out?

 

yeah.. basically. I drew first in chalk on regular cotton fabric.. then painted. Then I cut them out and ironed on that gluey-paper stuff which is kinda like what Dakota's Mom was talking about. I have about a hundred of them in different styles.. lol... I am selling them this weekend.