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Hello everyone.

How are you today? Hope you're feeling great.

My name's Ms. Afzal, and I'll be your art teacher for this lesson.

I'm feeling very excited about that, not least because today we are exploring something really interesting called applique.

I wonder, have you tried applique? Have you heard of applique? And don't worry whether you have or you haven't.

We are gonna find out all about it.

We are gonna have a go at some applique.

Our lesson is called Exploring Applique, and it's from the unit of work called Being Curious about Textiles.

So I hope you're curious.

I hope you're interested, and you got some energy and enthusiasm.

If you're all set with that, we'll begin.

The outcome for today's lesson is I can create a decorative applique initial.

We have some keywords in our lesson today.

Let's go through them.

Applique, template, and felt.

So what do these words mean? Well, applique is attaching fabric shapes onto a background to make a design.

A template is the shape you cut out and use to trace or repeat on fabric.

And felt, a soft, thick fabric often used as a base for applique.

These are our key words, applique, template, and felt.

Let's look out for them.

Let's listen out for them.

They'll be coming up in our lesson today.

our lesson is called Exploring Applique, and it has two learning cycles.

First of all, creating a template for applique and then creating an applique initial out of felt.

Let's begin by creating a template for applique.

And look at these practical outcomes for today.

Oh, wow.

I like the look of these.

So bold, so interesting, and it also looked like they'd feel really nice to touch.

Applique is when fabric shapes are added to a larger piece of fabric to make a design.

It's used to decorate things like clothes, quilts, and wall hangings.

Applique is an ancient technique used for both repair and embellishment.

It may be functional or decorative.

It began in places like Egypt and Asia and has been used for centuries to personalise clothes, quilts, and textiles.

And we can see a beautiful example of applique on the screen now.

Pause the video and share with someone what are your impressions of this example of applique? Thanks for sharing your impressions.

I'm really impressed by how detailed it is and the beautiful colours that have been used.

West African applique often features bold colours and symbolic shapes, traditionally used in ceremonial banners, storytelling cloths, and garments to express identity and heritage.

Indian applique, especially from regions like Odisha and Gujarat, is known for its intricate patterns and vibrant colours.

It's often used to decorate temple canopies, wall hangings, and festive textiles.

Applique is a form of creative expression.

Artists make choices about fabric, shape, colour, and pattern to create striking designs.

Applique can be used to tell stories, share personal messages, and communicate meaning through layered imagery.

Let's have a check for understanding true or false.

Applique can be functional and artistic.

Pause the video while you decide if the statement is true or false.

Well done if you selected true, and now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause the video while you do this.

You might have said something like this.

Applique can be functional by repairing or strengthening fabric and artistic by using bold shapes, colours, and textures to create decorative or meaningful designs.

It's often used in both everyday items and creative artworks.

Artists who use applique in their work include: Faith Ringgold uses applique in her story quilts, combining fabric, shapes, paint, and text to share powerful stories about race, history, and identity.

Sarah Hibbert creates bold, abstract designs by layering fabric pieces in a modern applique style, often inspired by paper collage and pattern.

And Billie Zangewa hand cuts and glues silk fabric to create layered applique portraits that focus on everyday life, femininity, and personal experience.

So we can see there are a number of artists who use applique in their work.

Sam and Lucas are talking about designing their appliques.

Sam, "I think I'd like to make a big S outta felt and add some bold shapes with applique." And Lucas, "That sounds good.

I like how applique lets you be a creative.

It's like collage for fabric.

For my design, I might make a V for my sister's name, so it can be a gift." Lovely idea.

Artists often plan their designs through drawing, so we have a pencil design and then a coloured pencil design.

Really love those colours that have been chosen.

A template is used to trace and cut shapes accurately.

It helps you plan your design, check the size and make sure your fabric pieces are neat, balanced, and easy to layer.

A template helps to plan the sizes and positioning of the different layers of your applique.

It's useful to label the layers to help plan the cutting and placement of the applique pieces.

So we've got layer one, just the background there, and then we have layer two, just the V.

Layer three is the outer yellow circle, and then layer four is the inner peach coloured circle.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Why do we use a paper template before cutting fabric to use in applique? There's A, to practise sewing and embroidery.

B, to make sure the fabric is the right size and shape, or C, to test the textile glue and type of thread.

Pause here while you decide why we use a paper template before cutting fabric to use in applique.

Well done if you selected statement B.

Indeed, it's to make sure the fabric is the right size and shape.

And now it's time for your first task.

I would like you to plan your design for an applique.

You may choose to follow these steps to guide you.

So first of all, select or cut paper so that it is the same size as your applique fabric.

Use a pencil and ruler to draw an initial.

Plan the colours and shapes of your design.

And then add colour to your design.

Label the different layers of the design.

So pause here while you have a go at this first part of your task, planning your design for an applique.

Enjoy your task and I'll see you when you're finished.

So how did you get on with that part of your task? Planning your design for an applique? There are many possible outcomes, but you may have created something wonderful like this.

Love these letters.

Here's Lucas.

"I've made a design for the letter V.

I've used my sister's favourite colours and I will give it to her as a birthday present." So lovely and thoughtful.

And here's Laura.

"My initial is L.

I've also chosen my favourite colours.

The design is for me, and I can't wait to choose the felt colours when I make it." And I hope you enjoyed planning your design for an applique and perhaps choosing your favourite colours and thinking about who you are creating your design for.

Next, I'd like you to create your template for an applique.

You could follow these steps to guide you.

Use a ruler and pencil to draw out your design from Task A1 using only line.

Simplify shapes and details so they're linear.

Photocopy or use tracing paper to replicate the design.

Cut your template out so that you have all of the separate pieces for each layer of your design.

You may want to label the pieces.

So pause here while you have a go at this part of your task, creating your template for an applique.

Enjoy your task and I'll see you when you're finished.

Okay, it's good to be back with you.

How did you get on with that part of your task, creating your template for an applique? There are many possible outcomes and you may have created something like this.

Here's Lucas, "I looked at my earlier design, which was already labelled, to help me create my template.

I used tracing paper to draw out the different layers and then cut each section out carefully." Great job Lucas and everyone.

And now we're onto the next part of our lesson, creating an applique initial out of felt.

Where have you seen applique before? Pause the video and share with someone.

Is there anywhere you have seen applique in your home on some clothing or anywhere else? Here's Lucas.

"My sister has a dress with a design using applique on it." Nice.

Sam.

"I have a cap that has an applique motif sewn on the front of it." And Izzy, "I have a bag that has lots of geometric shapes stuck to it." And thank you for sharing where you've seen applique before as well.

Applique has been used for a long time and has many forms. I had some applique on a jacket once on a denim jacket, which I placed there myself, which was super fun.

Applique can be made using all kinds of materials like cotton, denim, old clothes, or even paper.

Artists can use different types of applique techniques.

What do you notice about the colours and shapes of the fabric pieces in these applique pieces? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Perhaps you notice that they're very bold colours and also the shapes are quite simple.

It helps if we go for simple shapes with applique.

Some different techniques for applique include reverse edge, fused edge, turned edge, and raw edge.

You can use applique without stitching by simply glueing or fusing fabric shapes onto a background.

Contemporary artists and designers create art using different applique methods.

Emmanuel Unaji combines fabric collage and painted portraits, layering materials to explore fashion, identity, and representation.

Jayson Musson creates textile wall pieces using fabric shapes and applique blending humour, politics, and craft in his quilt-like artworks.

Love that combination.

Ben Venom uses applique and quilting to turn old band t-shirts and denim into striking layered artworks that mix pop culture and traditional craft.

So we can see there are a number of contemporary artists and designers creating artwork using different applique methods.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which of the following statements about applique is not true.

A, it might use glue or thread.

B, it must be stitched only.

C, it layers fabric to make a design.

Pause the video while you decide which of these statements about applique is not true.

Well done if you selected to answer B.

Although applique commonly involves stitching, you can create applique by simply glueing or fusing fabric shapes onto a background.

So why do we use felt for applique? Well felt is thick, holds its shape and doesn't fray.

It's easy to cut and can be glued or stitched in place, which is ideal for simple, bold designs.

Creating your felt applique might look like this.

So first of all, you will look at your applique design admiringly, select your felt.

You may choose to refine your colour palette and then pin your paper template pieces onto your felt, and then carefully cut around your template pieces through the felt.

Some basic shapes may not require a paper template.

Arrange your felt pieces and either glue or sew them to your base fabric a layer at a time.

For the next part of the lesson, you will need scissors, paper template, felt colours of your choice, glue stick and pins.

So pause here while you gather what you need for the next part of the lesson.

Okay, so you've got everything you need.

Fantastic.

Let's have a check for understanding true or false.

Once you begin to use felt, you no longer require your applique paper template.

Pause the video and decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected false.

Now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause the video while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

You'll need to pin your paper templates to the felt so that you can cut out your felt pieces.

And now it's time for your next task.

I would like you to use your templates to create your applique initial.

You should select and gather your felt pieces.

Pin the paper templates onto your selected pieces of felt.

Use scissors to cut out the felt shapes around the templates.

Use a glue stick or stitch to secure the pieces onto your felt base to make your decorated felt initial.

Pause here while you have a go at this part of your task, using your templates to create your applique initial.

I'll see you when you're finished.

Okay.

It's great to be back with you.

How did you get on with that part of your task using your templates to create your applique initial? There are different outcomes than you might have created something like this.

Well done Lucas.

Let's hear from him.

"The paper template was a really good idea as it helped me to cut out very neat shapes for the felt applique that were the correct size.

I chose to use glue to secure my pieces to the base fabric." Some great approaches there from Lucas.

So pause video here and share with someone your impressions of Lucas's felt applique.

What do you like about it? What do you think was successful? Thanks for sharing your ideas.

I really like his choice of colours and also the simplicity of this design, which is really making it all stand out very clearly.

Now, I'd like you to take a moment to share with someone impressions of your own applique felt initial.

What do you think went well? What are you pleased with? Anything you might have changed.

So pause here while you have this discussion.

Thanks for sharing.

It's always worthwhile taking time to evaluate your creations.

In our lesson exploring applique, we have covered the following.

Applique is a technique where fabric shapes are layered and secured onto a background to create a design.

Many artists use applique to explore shape, colour, and pattern.

It can be used to tell stories, decorate fabric, or create imaginative textile art.

A template is often used to help replicate shapes at the correct size.

Felt is a popular material for applique because it's thick and easy to work with.

Well done everyone for joining in with this lesson.

It was so great to explore applique together.

This is a technique that perhaps not everyone has worked with before.

So it was really interesting to get into this, to explore how is it that we work with applique and to design and make your own creations.

I hope you're really pleased with your outcome and that you'll go on to explore further how to work with applique and maybe you'll end up with a denim jacket with some wonderfully applique designs on the back.

I've really enjoyed this lesson.

I hope you have to, and I'm looking forward to seeing you at another art lesson soon.

In the meantime, stay creative.

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