Free applique patterns, does it get any better than that? Applique is such a fast and easy way to personalize a pattern, and I love using knit fabric since it doesn’t fray. I’ve shared lots of applique projects and patterns over the past couple years, so I thought I’d round up some cute free patterns to encourage using up your knit fabric scraps (see the master list of ways to use up knit fabric scraps too!)
Check out my best tips about how to machine applique for beginners in this post!
Don’t forget you can use any free applique patterns for reverse applique and freezer paper too, all sorts of embellishments. Wendi from Shiny Happy World has a great post on freezer paper vs. sticky solvy vs fusible web, it can get confusing.
Please pin this long collage post of free applique patterns, here, and click through to individual posts to pin specific pictures:
It’s not free, but if you love applique you should check out this super fun monster applique quilt I made!
Free applique patterns
Free bat applique here at Swoodson Says
Free horse applique from Polka Dot Chair
I used it as a cut file for heat transfer vinyl, but it would work great for applique too: free dinosaur applique pattern here at Swoodson Says.
Flower Applique from So Sew Easy
‘Cozy’ text applique + tutorial for how to sew letters onto a pillow here on Swoodson Says
Free strawberry applique (and flowers, too!) from The Seasoned Homemaker
Free shark appliques here on Swoodson Says, I used these to patch knee holes!
Free bird applique from Shiny Happy World
Free kitty face applique, I used these to patch holes, with a tutorial and template here on Swoodson Says.
Free alphabet applique from Shiny Happy World
Free dump truck applique from Swoodson Says (me!)
Free heart applique from Molly and Mama
Free flower applique from Shiny Happy World
Free ballet shoe applique from Make It Love It
Free owl applique from Sew Can She
Free butterfly applique from Shiny Happy World
Free fox applique from Sew Can She
Free deer applique from Molly and Mama
Free fox applique from Sew Can She
Free shark applique pattern from Viva Veltoro
Free bird applique from Stubbornly Crafty [no longer available, just leaving it up since I used it in the initial collage :()
Sweet little fruit applique pattern from Stubbornly Crafty.
Free butterfly applique from Sew Can She
Free cat applique from Shiny Happy World
Free state & plane appliques from Make It Love It
Free bunny from Shiny Happy World
(not pictured) Free solar system appliques from Bugaboo City
Free bear hoodie applique from Petit a Petit [2024 edit – this website seems to be shut down but leaving it up for visual inspiration]
Mario & Luigi from GYCT Designs
Anchor applique and crab applique pattern from Polka Dot Chair
Free sewing machine applique (plus others, in a quilt tutorial) at Flamingo Toes
Free Star Wars tsum tsum appliques at Shwin & Shwin
Free panda applique from Shiny Happy World
Free spider applique from The Seasoned Homemaker – see my quilt with it here and get the link in that post.
![Over 25 Free Applique Patterns - perfect for using up knit and woven scraps to personalize t-shirts, pillowcases and more! Round-up on Swoodsonsays.com](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5682/22361655192_03ce65fd42_b.jpg"")
cindy
Tuesday 9th of October 2018
I wish you had Knitting patterns for appliques instead of sewing
Sara
Friday 23rd of October 2015
Lots of cute and easy ideas for people just learning to appliqué!
Pam @Threading My Way
Wednesday 21st of October 2015
Great roundup of free applique templates, Stephanie. Thanks for including my robot templates.
Lauren from Molly and Mama
Wednesday 21st of October 2015
What an amazing round up of appliqué templates and tutorials Stephanie! Thank you so much for putting it together and for including a few of my projects. What a great resource!