In appliqué, what is the main process applied to the fabric?

In appliqué, the primary technique involves attaching shaped pieces of fabric to a background fabric. This method is characterized by using contrasting or complementary fabrics to add visual interest, texture, and designs to the base fabric. The shapes can be cut from fabric and then either sewn, glued, or fused onto the underlying layer. This allows for a creative expression that enhances the overall artwork or textile piece, making it a popular technique in quilting, garment making, and various fabric crafts.

Other options refer to different textile processes: stitching details onto a premade fabric is more aligned with embellishment techniques; dyeing areas of fabric with wax describes batik, a completely different method of fabric decoration; and looping together yarns to create fabric pertains to knitting or crochet. Each of these techniques has its own unique processes and outcomes, distinguishing them from the appliqué method.