Appliqué is ornamental needlework in which pieces of fabric in different shapes and patterns are sewn or stuck onto a larger piece of fabric of contrasting colour or texture to form a picture or pattern. It is commonly used as decoration, especially on garments. The technique is accomplished either by hand or machine.
Origin
The term appliqué is derived from French and Latin words appliquer and applicare, respectively, which both mean to join or attach. This form of art can be dated back to the 18th Century. A small town called Abomey in West Africa had applique manufacturing as their important tradition in the kingdom of Danhome.
This form of art style was initially practiced by people for stitching ripped areas of a garment by patching up the area with another piece of fabric to make it wearable. Later on this technique came to be known as patch work.
Applying another fabric to mend and close the torn parts of a garment was done during when poverty struck many families, back in the days due to war and other circumstances. With innovations in textile fashion, applique work was not only been used as a method of repair but also as a means of decorating clothes.
Applique as art
Apart from clothing,It is suitable for work which is to be seen from a distance, such as in banner-making. A famous example of appliqué is the Hastings Embroidery. It was made by the Royal School of Needlework in 1965 to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and shows 81 great events in British history that occurred during the 900 years between 1066 and 1966. This is a National Treasure and a dramatic and a graphic lesson on British History.
The different stitching techniques
Appliqué employs a number of stitches to attach separate fabric pieces onto a single base fabric. Most common stitches used to join these are straight stitch or running stitch. It is usually done on the outline edges of the fabric. Satin stitch is another stitch that is used to overlap the fabric edges and attach it to the base fabric. Raw edge appliqué is a quick and easy technique used to create a sophisticated and modern look like that of a quilt. Multi hoop appliqué is used to create much larger designs. Reverse appliqué is achieved when various materials and their layers are stitched together. Upper parts of the layers are stitched together and are cut away and the edges are stitched.
Applique lehenga – A desi modern twist
Giving your ethnic wear a look an instant ultra-modern twist. Applique work lehenga have become famous all over the world in such a short span of time because of their amazing offbeat appeal. Applique work lehenga is one of the trendiest designs invented from the modern age Indian lehenga choli which includes different types of applique detailing i.e. fabric flowers, beaded patch, stone embellished fabric patches and more. With the revolving fashion trends and the uniqueness of unconventional artwork, it caught the eye of fashion lovers around the world.
The relaxed feel of the comfortable base fabric and the pop of vivid vivacious patterns of patches of applique work is what adds the dramatic factor to your entire look instantly. These applique lehengas can be donned on informal occasions like weddings,receptions,bachelorette parties and even mehendi ceremony as they add such colour to the event
Deepika Padukone in applique lehenga
Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s wedding had taken the world by a storm. They hosted a number of receptions at different locations for different crowds and it was in the Mumbai extravagant reception, Deepika pulled a never-seen avatar in a‘Dil Guldasta’ lehenga.The lehenga was clad with hand-dyed velvet appliqués of flowers from head to toe . The lush blooms were in shades of madder, burgundy and rose looking like a bouquet. It had a flowy summer feel to it, encapsulated with a sense of glamour and a sheen of prestige. The floral patchwork of with hand-dyed velvet appliqués mixed with a sheer dupatta was illustrious.
Priyanka chopra applique wedding lehenga
Without a doubt, Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas’ wedding celebrations were one of the most-talked-about events .Priyanka Chopra made a stunning bride in a rich and vivid,red Sabyasachi lehenga for her Indian ceremony with the hand-cut organza flower applique work, French knots in silk floss and layers of thread work. She teamed this fully red appliques diaphanous lehenga with diamonds jewellery.
Anushka sharma’s applique wedding lehenga
Anushka’s pale pink royal-feeling lehenga was fairytale-esque with beautiful Renaissance embroidery in vintage English colours embellished with floral applique work that was paced all over the lehenga skirt,blouse and the border of the dupatta.It was also embellished with silver-gold metal thread, pearls and beads. Her look was completed with bridal jewellery was handcrafted with syndicate uncut diamonds, pale pink spinel and baroque Japanese cultured pearls making her look like an angel.
Sara Ali Khan in black applique lehenga
Sara looks absolutely stunning as she wore a ‘Navratan’ lehenga with a black ‘Aakash-tara’ dupatta and blouse for the release of her movie trailer – Kedarnath. The lehenga is meticulously hand-embroidered on black tulle with multi-hued velvet appliqués and highlighted with zardosi, crystals and pearls over a hand-painted organza underskirt.
How to Style Applique?
When both the Lehenga skirt and the blouse is completely endowed with applique work of the same pattern, choose a dupatta od lighter fabric like a net dupatta and go for contrast colour bold cut jewellery. If the applique works are flowers,then adorn your hair with flowers.If there are geometric shape pattern applique work ,then flaunt some western jewellery .
Create an indo western look in an applique lehenga spaghetti sleeve blouse with a flared skirt,a sleek bun and a smoky eye to look like a Bollywood diva.
