How To Make

Fringed Double Layer Applique Font instructions

Fringed Double Layer Greek Fraternity & Sorority Appliqué Font

A finished, double-layer fringed appliqué of a Greek letter on a garment.

For additional help, I’ve included a video showcasing the same technique used for this design:

Color Sequence

Color chart for the fringed Greek letter embroidery design, showing five steps.

Structure of the Greek Letter Embroidery Design:

The embroidery design consists of five layers of stitching:

  1. Running Stitch (Layer 1): This indicates the placement seam for the appliqué.
  2. Tack-Down Stitch (Layer 2): This secures the appliqué fabric in place.
  3. Satin Stitch Outline (Layer 3): This covers the raw edges of the appliqué for a clean finish.
  4. Fringed Elements (Layer 4): This includes the long satin stitches that will be used to create the fringed effect.
  5. Satin Stitch Accents (Layer 5): This provides additional detailing and a polished outline to enhance the design.

A close-up of the color chart for the embroidery design.

How to Create the Fringe

Fringing is a simple process. Stitch the design as usual—the larger satin stitches will appear loose. After completing the design, flip the hoop to view the reverse side and cut the bobbin thread along the long satin stitches. Then, flip the hoop back over and fluff the "fringe" around the design.

Recommended Scissors

I use scissors from Fiskars and Kai, which I truly adore. You can find them on Amazon at the following links:

Kai 4-inch Curved Needlecraft Scissors: https://www.amazon.com/Kai-4-inch-Curved-Needlecraft-Scissors/dp/B008AY90PY

A pair of Kai 4-inch Curved Needlecraft Scissors.

Fiskars Curved Craft Scissors, Orange: https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-98087097J-Curved-Scissors-Orange/dp/B000B7OSS2

A pair of orange-handled Fiskars Curved Craft Scissors.The Fiskars Clip-Sharp Scissors Sharpener.

While I find Kai scissors to be superior, they pose a higher risk of cutting through the base fabric. Fiskars scissors, on the other hand, may require sharpening after some use. For that, the Fiskars Clip-Sharp Scissors Sharpener is an excellent choice, available here: https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-6411501960078-Clip-Sharp-Total-Length/dp/B001GHV3AM/ref=sr_1_1_sspa

Overall, my preference leans towards Kai for their quality.

Detailed Process

  1. Stitch the Design

    Complete the Greek letter design as instructed. Pay attention to the long satin stitch columns that are designed to create the fringe.

  2. Cut Bobbin Threads

    Turn the project over to the reverse side. Carefully trim the bobbin thread, staying close to the top stitches that secure the fringe in place.

    The back of the embroidery hoop showing the bobbin threads of the satin stitches.

    Using small, sharp scissors to carefully cut the bobbin threads on the back of the project.

  3. Fluff the Fringe

    Flip the project back to the front side. Use the tip of small scissors to gently fluff the fringe.

Looped vs. Open-Ended Fringe

On the back of the project, you need to cut the bobbin thread along the long satin stitches. This will create a looped fringe on the right side.

Sometimes, the bobbin thread might not be visible. It's actually quite simple to adjust the tension of your bobbin thread to make it looser, allowing you to see it more clearly. Then, you can trim only the bobbin thread, and as a result, you will get a fringe with loops. If you don't want to make any adjustments to your embroidery machine, you can still trim by estimating where the bobbin thread might be. Start by trimming small amounts at a time. This might result in the fringe having open-ended threads instead of loops, which is also okay.

For the best results, I recommend using polyester embroidery threads instead of rayon or silk. When cutting the fringe, it's best to use small, sharp embroidery scissors rather than thread nippers or other thread removers.

I hope this information was helpful.

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