How to Make Applique Curtains

Purchase double-stick fusible adhesive that has peel-off paper on both sides. Look for the type that is machine washable and dry-cleanable.

Draw or trace the designs you have chosen onto the paper on one side of the fusible. If you are using simple shapes, such as flower, leaf and bird shapes, draw them freehand or trace around cookie cutters, designs that coordinate with wallpaper, or other patterns. Reverse letters, numerals and directional designs.

Cut the fusible shapes apart with sharp scissors, leaving both papers intact. Leave a small margin around the outline; you will trim the outline accurately later. Peel away the blank side of the paper, and stick the adhesive fusible onto the back, or wrong side, of the applique fabric. The drawn outline should be visible on the paper backing. Cut out the fabric shape following your drawn outline, cutting through the layers of paper, fusible and fabric as one.

Use printed fabric motifs as your appliques as an alternative method. If you have selected a fabric printed with large motifs -- for example, frogs and insects for a child’s bedroom -- simply peel away the backing paper from a sheet of the fusible and position the fusible over your selected motifs on the wrong side of the fabric. Stick the fusible to the fabric back, leaving one side of the paper in place, then cut out appliques using the printed motifs on the right side of the fabric as guides.

Arrange the applique motifs on the right side of the curtain fabric. The motif layers will consist of the right side of your selected applique fabric, the adhesive fusible layer stuck to the back of the applique fabric, and the paper layer that covers the back of the fusible. Peel off the paper and stick the motifs onto the curtain fabric. The adhesive allows you to reposition the motifs until the placement is correct.

Iron the motifs onto the curtains. The adhesive fusible becomes permanent when heated by ironing.