Drop Some Tips for Crafting Custom Applique Embroidery Designs in 2025

I’ve been experimenting with custom applique embroidery lately and wanted to share some tips for creating vibrant, layered designs on a budget in 2025. This technique, where fabric patches are stitched onto a base material, is perfect for bold logos or patterns on fabrics like cotton or denim. Start with free tools like Inkscape with Ink/Stitch to convert JPGs or PNGs into DST or PES files. Keep designs simple to reduce stitch counts by about 15%, saving thread. Use satin stitches for clean edges around applique patches, and always test on scrap fabric with a stabilizer to avoid puckering. I found some great insights on custom applique embroidery that helped refine my process. In 2024, 68% of U.S. crafters used applique for custom projects, per industry data. Trends for 2025 lean toward eco-friendly fabrics and bold monograms. Anyone here working on applique projects? What tools or techniques do you love?