Applique

Applique Alphabet Machine Embroidery Designs

Applique lettering replaces the solid satin fill with fabric, which cuts stitch count enormously and keeps the finished letter soft. On a child's T-shirt or a quilt block, an applique letter will stay flexible through years of washing where a densely filled letter would go stiff.

It also lets you match a name to the item. Cut the letters from a scrap of the same fabric, a contrasting print, or something with sentimental value, and the lettering ties into the piece rather than sitting on top of it.