Easter is primarily about celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion, so it is inherently associated with several religious motifs. Additionally, Easter is also associated with the arrival of spring, symbolizing life, fertility, and rebirth. Thus, motifs related to these themes are also there. Decorating home with all these Easter motifs is both enjoyable and fulfilling for the festival season – But, what if you want to do it on clothes?
Easter motifs
Easter eggs
This is the first thing that comes to your mind when you talk about Easter.
Decorating Easter eggs is a longstanding tradition. They symbolize new life and rebirth. Real eggs are often dyed in bright colors. You can paint on them, put on stickers, etc. The craft activities associated with decorating eggs are very popular with kids. These decorated eggs are then mixed with candy, small toys, and chocolates, and they are hidden. Kids have to find them, and the search is a fun-filled activity. The person who finds the eggs gets all the prizes.
According to tradition, the Easter Bunny brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy, and gifts to children the night before Easter Sunday. And supposedly, it is the bunny who hides these eggs.
You can add decorated eggs to your clothes to give your wardrobe a touch of Easter spirit with embroidered patches, fabric paint, or playful appliqués. One such applique project is described here, made with left over jeans pieces.
Easter bunny applique
A hare aka rabbit is often associated with fertility. It may have something to do with the dozens of kids that a hare has.
How to do easter bunny applique
Reverse applique
Reverse applique is quite easy to do. The design combines an easter egg and the bunny.
Mark the silhouette of the egg and bunny on a folded felt material.
Cut out the egg. Cut out the bunny from the inside. Now attach it to your clothing. As you sew it, you will find the background fabric, creating its own design.
You can sew around the design with a sewing machine or, fine applique stitches or very obvious blanket stitches.
Blanket stitch applique
This is the second method of making the bunny applique.
Mark the design on paper and trace it on the fabric. Add 1/2 inch all along the outline and cut out this fabric.
Cut a lining fabric with the same template.
Keep them rightsides together, to the inside and stitch along the outline of the design (the original design outline)
Clip along the outside. Now, cut the lining from the inside too, 1/2 inches to the inside, from the stitching line.
Turn the lining to the back of the design. As you have clipped the seam allowance, every 1/2 inch, it will most probably turn smoothly to the back. If it doesnot, clip again and then turn. This gives a neat, turned-under edge for your applique.
Press the design.
Now start sewing it on to your clothing with your favourite applique method – either hand applique stitches or sewing machine applique stitches.
You can either paint the facial features before or after the applique. And do it paint or embroidery.
Related posts: Needle turn applique technique ; Borderie anglaise applique method
You can give an outline stitch like a stem stitch along the edge too.