Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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This invention relates to a kit and method for creat-
ing a fabric decorative applique, and more particularly relates to
a handicraft kit, for example of felt components, which may be
used to create an attractive decorative applique.
Applique kits of felt and other substances are well-
known. A conventional kit commercially available presently has
pre-cut applique elements which are secured to a rigid cardboard
backing by means of a liquid adhesive. The positioning and orient-
ation of each of the applique elements is determined by markings
on the surface of the rigid backing.
Another type of decorative applique is described in
Canadian Patent No. 826,989 of Pohl et al., in which pieces of
felt or other material are arranged to form a decorative confi-
guration and attached by stitch-knitting, fiber interlacing or
needling to a coherent base layer made up of a material such as
felt.
While such kits may produce an attractive result, they
are not very suitable for younger children, the former requiring
messy glue, and the latter because of its complexity, requiring
considerable talent to produce an attractive result, such as mill-
enry skills for the stitch-knitting required to bond the backing
and applique elements together. Moreover, if an element is posi-
tioned in a wrong space or wrong orientation, it may be difficult
to rearrange the element with such kits and particularly the case
of the former, the appearance of the final product may be spoiled
by such rearrangement.
According to the present invention, a fabric decorative
applique of attractive appearance may be prepared using a fabric
backing, a plurality of pre-cut fabric applique elements which,
when arranged in a predetermined manner on the backing form a de-
corative pattern, and a layer of thermal adhesive of a size and
shape conforming to the outline of the predetermined pattern.
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The pre-cut applique elements are arranged in sequence on the
layer of thermal adhesive which is positioned o,n the backing.
Heat, for example from an iron, is used to fuse the thermal ad-
hesive so that, upon removal of the heat source and cooling, the
applique elements are secured in the proper pattern on the surface
of the backing. ~ plan drawing illustrating the sequence of ar-
rangement and orientation of the elements which is necessary in
order- to create the pattern may accompany such a kit.
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By selecting a pattern and pre-cutting the applique
elements so that they fit together in snug, abutting arrangement
on the thermal adhesive sheet and backing, an applique in the na-
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ture of a "jig-saw'l may be created.
Such a decorative applique, in addition to presenting
an attractive, professional appearance in its final form, pro- '
vides a significant advantage in the ease with which the final
product may be made without requiring special skills such as
sewing, needling or stitch-knitting or messy substances such as
glue. When the applique elements are pre-cut so that, when in
proper orientation, they fit in abutting relationship to form a
coherent pattern, similar to a "jig-saw", a decorative applique
which is challenging for young or old may be created. Such ap
pliques may be used to develop visual and motor skills in the
young. Once the pre-cut elements have been properly oriented
and positioned on the thermal adhesive layer and backing, which ;
action can be readily carried out without adult supervision, such ;
child can then, if necessary, have an adult pass an iron over the
elements so that they are secured to the backing. Until the iron
is passed over the applique to secure these elements, they may be
readily rearranged to correct their positioning or orientation,
without detracting from the final appearance, a particularly use-
ful feature when the kit is to be used by younger children. Yarn
stitching may be used to accentuate features of the design or -
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outline elements, again adding to the attractiveness of the final
product and providing yet another skill which may be learned from
use of such a kit.
It has been found that an applique made from several
elements using a single thermal adhesive form according to this
invention possesses greater rigidity and resistance to folding or
wrinkling than an applique having the elements secured to the
backing by stitch-knitting or the like, or by individual pieces
of thermal adhesive of a shape conforming to that of the respec-
tive elements. This rigidity provides a neater, more attractive
product, ideally suited to wall hangings.
Kits of varying complexity may be constructed which
would be suitable for various age groups, or be useful in thera-
py, etc.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be-
come apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
upon referring to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic
representation of a method of constructing a decorative applique
from a kit according to the present invention.
In the drawing, a thin layer of web of thermal adhe-
s~ve material 2 i9 suitably oriented on pattern outline 3 marked
on a surface of backing 4. The thermal adhesive material may be
fusible PELLON (trade mark) (two-sided) or STITCH WITCHERY (trade
mark) found in millinery shops, or any suitable thermoplastic
material which will melt, when subjected to heat and cool when
the heat source is removed to bind textile or non-woven fabric
layers, between which it is positioned, together. Pre-cut appli-
que elements 6 are then arranged in proper orientation and posi-
tioned on thermal adhesive layer 2 and the elements are then iron-
ed or subjected to a suitable alternative heat source so that the
thermal adhesive layer melts, fusing the elements in that position
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to the backing. The backing and elements may be made of any tex-
tile or non-woven fabric, and preferably are made of felt. Ther-
mal adhesive layer 2 is similarly pre-cut to the outline of the -;
desired pattern oE the applique elements on the backing. ~ ~;
Plan drawing 8 may be provided showing proper orienta-
tion of the respective applique elements fixed in the final de-
sired pattern, for assistance in more complicated patterns or to
assist younger children. In addition, where more complicated
patterns are involved, or where some of the elements may overlap
one another, the sequence of positioning of the applique elements
may be important and can be shown on such a plan drawing. Addi-
tionally, hand stitching which may be added to the final appli-
que may be illustrated on such a plan drawing for the assistance
of one who is using the kit.
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in
accordance with the invention, a kit and method for creating a
decorative fabric that fully satisfies the objects, aims and ad-
vantages set forth above. While the invention has been described
in conjunction with example embodiments thereof, it is evident ~
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that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be `
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing
description. As one example, the backing may be provided with
holes to be located behind certain of the applique elements, mak~
ing such elements visually more dominant when an illuminating
means is placed behind the completed applique. Accordingly it ~; ;
is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and
variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the ap-
pended claims.
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