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Free Simple Shapes for your Applique Patches, Screen Printing or Spray Painting

Free stencils to print and use.

By Lorain Blanken, About.com

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Simple shapes for spray paint and screen print projects, free to print. You can also make your own patches, or appliqué, out of any scrap fabric. With appliqués, I suggest using a sewing machine on a close satin stitch to make patches and appliqué's that will stay secure.

If you don't have a sewing machine, then try using an iron-on adhesive fabric underneath your patches before you sew the edges. This adhesive fabric is called 'fusible web' and is available at any sewing or craft store.

Smiley

Smiley
The best part about this 3" smiley is that he is really just a circle, and therefore a cinch to sew. Use fabric markers to put in an emoticon face of your choice. My favorite thing to do with this guy is give him a set of horns and a cute little pointed tail. For this I would use black fabric. Add white eyes and a mouth with two little teeth.

A face really has no limits, make a clown or grumpy guy, it's up to you! This patch is rather large, and a good size to add to a hoodie. You can also scale it down in your paint program.

Get this Patch

Heart

Heart Patch
This heart is about 3" large, but can be resized in your favorite paint program. Hearts look cute if sewn sloppily on the breast pocket of a shirt with a contrasting color of thread, or securely stitched to the back pocket of a pair of jeans. Use fabric markers to write in the name of your crush (or husband!) for some playful romance, or hey, draw a jagged crack in it. Black hearts with red fabric paint on them are my personal favorite.
Get this Patch

Pow!

Pow Patch
If you ever watched the old Batman TV series, then you know the importance of 'POW!' and 'SOCKO!'. This patch is about 3" long, just big enough to make a statement. Due to all the pointy parts, be careful to secure it all the way around to prevent fraying. I suggest fusible web for this one to keep the points from fraying.

Use a fabric marker to write in your own fight scene, your name, or proclaim your own 'w00t!' words. This is a good one to have in place of a breast pocket or on your thigh. This one can actually be placed underneath the bottom of the arrow patch to create the firecracker look described above.

Get this Patch

Finished Patch Gallery

skull patchRain Blanken
Enjoy this DIY fashion gallery of applique designs. 'Applique' is when you apply one or more patches to make a picture, like the examples shown here. Looking at the applique work of other artists can really help to inspire your own creations.
See photos of finished patches

Tutorial on Hand-Sewing Patches

Sew a Heart Patch
After you have your shape printed, you'll need to cut it out and sew it onto your clothing. Take a look at these quick instructions for cutting, placing and hand-sewing your appliqué designs.
View this How-To

Sweet DIY Fashion

Cassette Tape WalletRain Blanken

Easy Clothes to Make:
How-To Pants . How-To Skirts . How-To Dresses . Recycle Your Clothes . 10 Clothing Repairs You Should Know . Beginner Sewing Projects . T-Shirt Surgery . Stencils Library . Top 10 Hippie Clothes . Punk Clothes to Make

Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces and More:
Junk Drawer Jewelry . Decoupage Jewelry . Make Bracelets . Jewelry Making . Hemp Jewelry

Bags, Hats, and More Accessores:
Free Hat Patterns . How-To Bags . Make Scarves . College Student Accessories . Index of Accessory Projects . Gloves and Wristbands

Explore DIY Fashion

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