Table of Contents
Watch the video: “How to: Applique” by baby lock
If you’ve ever wanted a quick, confidence-boosting applique win, this tutorial is your shortcut. Using a Baby Lock Array and its built-in frames, you’ll create a heart applique in minutes—complete with automatic stops for fabric placement, trimming, and a clean satin finish. It’s tidy, repeatable, and perfect for personalizing small items like zipper bags.
What you’ll learn
- How to hoop and load a small project (like a zipper bag) for a stable stitch-out.
- Which stitch types to select for placement, tack-down, and finishing—and why they matter.
- How to assign applique color steps so your machine stops automatically at each stage.
- When and how to trim with curved snips for a crisp edge.
- Simple variations to personalize your applique with built-in fonts and motifs.
Introduction to Applique on Your Baby Lock Array Applique is a decorative technique where you stitch fabric onto a base fabric and finish the raw edge with embroidery stitches. In this fast demo, the project is a small zipper bag hooped in a 4x4 frame with a tear-away stabilizer. Canvas is used; depending on thickness, stabilizer may be optional, but in this example a layer is included for support.
Why the Array? It’s a six-needle embroidery machine that recognizes the 4x4 frame and lets you combine multiple stitch types in sequence. You’ll build the design on-screen using built-in frames, and then stitch it out in three tidy phases: placement, tack-down, and finishing.
From the materials bin, you’ll see applique fabric (the example uses a polka dot), with optional fusible fleece for extra body. Curved applique snips are the trimming workhorse here—close enough to keep edges tidy, without cutting the tack-down line.
Pro tip If your base is a bag or tubular item, keep the opening routed around the free arm before loading the hoop to avoid catching the back during stitching.
- Quick note for shoppers: if you’re upgrading your hooping tools, you can explore accessories compatible with your setup, such as babylock hoops.
Setting Up Your Machine and Selecting Your Design Hooping Your Fabric Correctly Start with a 4x4 hoop. The zipper bag is hooped with tear-away behind it, and the opening is kept clear of the free arm so it won’t get caught under the needle. The A-arm adapter is set for the 4x4 hoop size—double-check this before you mount the hoop.
Quick check
- Is the A-arm adapter set for 4x4?
- Is the bag opening free and not trapped under the hoop?
- Is the stabilizer smooth and fully supporting the stitch area?
Navigating Built-in Frame Designs On the Array’s screen, open the Frames category. The machine recognizes the 4x4 workspace and shows shape options across the top. Pick the heart for this demo. You can resize frames for other projects, but the video keeps the default heart size to fit the space perfectly.
Choosing the Perfect Heart Shape Next, you’ll assign stitch types to build your three-step applique. First up is the placement line. Choose stitch type 10, a single run stitch that lightly outlines where fabric will go. Hit Set to commit it.
Watch out If you accidentally select a decorative stitch for placement, delete it and re-select stitch 10 (single run). You’ll want a light outline to guide placement, not a heavy or decorative border at this stage.
Building Your Applique Stitch Sequence The Placement Stitch: Your Guide The placement line stitches directly on your base fabric to show exactly where to position the applique fabric. It’s quick, clean, and sets you up for success in the next step.
The Tack-Down Stitch: Securing Your Fabric Add another step via Add > Frames > Heart. Select a stronger outline for tack-down—here, a triple run stitch. It circles the shape three times to keep the applique fabric secure during trimming. Hit Set. This extra security reduces the chance of shifting before you finish.
The Finishing Stitch: A Flawless Edge Finally, add your decorative edge. From Add > Frames > Heart, choose stitch number 2 (traditional satin/zigzag). Hit Set. The satin stitch will later cover the trimmed raw edge for a professional finish.
Pro tip You can use other decorative stitches for the final edge. Satin is classic and forgiving, but motifs can add character. If you experiment, test on a scrap first to check coverage after trimming.
- Accessory note: many embroiderers like magnetic options for certain projects; if that’s on your wish list, research compatibility before purchasing, for example magnetic embroidery hoops for babylock.
Mastering Applique Steps and Needle Assignments Understanding Applique Color Steps On Baby Lock multi-needle machines, assigning applique-specific color chips does two things: it makes each step a different “color” and automatically builds the stops you need between placement, tack-down, and finish. On the Array, tap the color palette key (blue spool icon), navigate to the thread palettes (Embroidery or Country), then scroll to the bottom. You’ll see three chips: Applique Material, Applique Position, and Applique.
Assign them as follows:
- Placement stitch: Applique Material
- Tack-down stitch: Applique Position
- Finishing stitch: Applique
Once assigned, each step shows its applique label and a small scissors icon in the sewing order—your confirmation that stops are in place.
Watch out If you forget to assign applique steps, the machine may stitch all three parts continuously without giving you time to place fabric or trim. Re-open the color palette and tag each step before stitching.
Manual Needle Selection for Multi-Needle Machines You can stitch all three steps with the same needle/thread and still get stops because the applique chips force them. In the video, Needle 3 (pink thread) is assigned to all steps via the manual color sequence key. Confirm each step shows Needle 3 in the color order.
Ensuring Proper Stops for Each Stage Even with a single spool, the Array pauses after placement (so you can lay fabric) and after tack-down (so you can trim). This keeps the process orderly and prevents missing a critical step.
- Considering alternative hoop formats? If you test different finishing workflows, note how your hoop style affects access and trimming—some users like baby lock magnetic hoop options for certain items.
The Stitching Process: From Outline to Final Product Stitching the Placement Line Verify your speed (the machine can stitch briskly; in the demo, a typical embroidery speed is used) and press Start to stitch the single-run outline. This creates your exact placement guide on the bag.
Placing and Securing Your Applique Fabric Without removing the hoop, use the Array’s forward hoop movement: tap the hoop-and-arrows icon, confirm, and the hoop advances to bring the design in front for easy access. Smoothly lay your applique fabric over the outline. If needed, use temporary spray adhesive or tape—just avoid the stitch path. Confirm to move the hoop back into position.
Now stitch the tack-down (triple run). It secures the fabric firmly to the base.
Quick check
- Fabric fully covers the placement outline.
- No ripples or bubbles under the hoop.
- The hoop returned to the correct position before stitching.
Trimming and Finishing with a Satin Stitch Remove the hoop and place it on a flat surface. With curved applique snips, trim the excess fabric as close as possible to the tack-down line—without cutting it. If you nick the tack-down, it’s not the end of the world; re-secure the area before moving on.
Return the hoop to the machine, check that nothing is caught underneath, and stitch the satin finish. The dense zigzag covers raw edges for a polished look.
From the comments
- A viewer mentioned that seeing the steps clearly laid out makes the whole process “click.” Breaking the sequence into placement, tack-down, trim, and finish keeps it manageable.
- Another viewer appreciated discovering the applique color chips at the bottom of the palette—those buttons are easy to miss but make a big difference.
- One commenter noted it might be simpler to just buy a zipper case; true for speed, but making your own lets you personalize shape, fabric, and finish.
Troubleshooting at a glance
- The machine didn’t stop between steps: Reassign the applique chips to each step and confirm the scissors icon is visible in the order.
- Fabric shifted during tack-down: Use temporary adhesive or tape (outside the stitch area), and make sure the fabric piece is large enough to lay flat over the outline.
- Satin stitch shows a sliver of applique fabric: Trim a touch closer next time; for small areas, careful touch-up may help, but coverage comes from accurate trimming.
- Planning future projects? Some embroiderers experiment with different hoop types for access and stability; if you’re researching options, you’ll encounter terms like magnetic hoops for babylock embroidery machines.
Unlock Your Creativity with Custom Appliques Personalizing Your Designs The heart is just the beginning. With built-in frames, you can try other shapes, add names using built-in fonts, or layer decorative motif stitches on top. Keep the three-step flow the same, and change fabric, colors, or scale to suit your piece. The video notes you can resize frames if needed—this example simply fit as-is in the 4x4.
Tips for Advanced Applique
- Test different finishing stitches: While satin is classic, motifs can add texture. Just ensure your trim is close so the edge stitch covers cleanly.
- Mix materials: Fusible fleece gives body; glitter heat transfer vinyl works too (as mentioned), as long as you keep your trim tidy and stitches appropriate.
- Sequence matters: Placement → fabric down → tack-down → trim → finish. Keeping this order consistent prevents mistakes.
Further Training and Resources For more Baby Lock education, subscribe to the Baby Lock YouTube channel and visit babylock.com for product training and inspiration. If you’re refining your hooping toolkit, consider what works best for your projects—some crafters like traditional frames, while others explore alternatives such as baby lock magnetic embroidery hoops.
- If you’re exploring accessory ecosystems beyond standard frames, you’ll also see community chatter about specialty solutions like snap hoop monster for babylock and mighty hoops for babylock—be sure to confirm compatibility with your specific model before you buy.
Appendix: Step-by-step recap (from the video) 1) Load hooped item on the machine (4x4 hoop; keep the bag opening clear of the free arm). 2) Choose a heart from built-in frames. 3) Add placement stitch (single run, type 10) and Set. 4) Add tack-down stitch (triple run) and Set. 5) Add finishing stitch (satin, type 2) and Set. 6) Assign applique color steps: Applique Material → placement; Applique Position → tack-down; Applique → finish. 7) Assign Needle 3 (pink) to all steps; stops remain in place. 8) Stitch placement outline. 9) Advance hoop; place fabric; return hoop. 10) Stitch tack-down. 11) Remove hoop; trim with curved snips. 12) Re-mount hoop; stitch satin finish.
Safety and handling
- Keep hands clear of the needle bar and needle plate when loading and when the carriage moves—confirm prompts before hoop advances.
- If the bag or fabric catches, stop and adjust before continuing.
Final thoughts This method is fast, forgiving, and endlessly customizable. Once you’ve done one heart, you’ll see how easy it is to swap shapes, fabrics, and finishing stitches for fresh looks on pouches, pockets, and gifts.
- Research tip: If you’re comparing accessory styles, you’ll also encounter terms like babylock magnetic hoops and magnetic embroidery hoops for babylock—evaluate them based on your project types and machine compatibility.