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Watch the video: “Side Seam Applique Bow Tutorial” by Designs by JuJu
If you’ve been eyeing the on-trend side seam bow, this tutorial shows exactly how to place, trim, and satin-stitch an applique bow that hugs the side seam of a sweatshirt or other garment. It’s beginner-friendly, precise, and totally giftable.
What you’ll learn
- How to hoop self-adhesive tear-away stabilizer and stitch the first placement line
- A simple way to align your garment’s side seam perfectly with that line
- When to run inner/outer bow placement and tack-down stitches (including the two-color option)
- How to trim outer edges and the inner bow tails cleanly before the final satin stitch
- How to remove tear-away stabilizer for a professional finish
Introduction to the Trendy Side Seam Applique Bow Side seam bows are having a moment—and it’s easy to see why. The placement feels fresh and flattering on sweatshirts, tees, dresses, even jeans. In this tutorial from Designs by JuJu, Michelle walks step-by-step through a side seam applique bow using self-adhesive tear-away stabilizer and a small hoop on a toddler sweatshirt.
What is a Side Seam Applique Bow? A side seam applique bow is an applique placed to straddle the garment’s side seam so the bow tails appear to split at the seam. The design seen here is created for this placement and includes inner loops and outer bow contours that can be stitched in one color or two.
Why this design is a must-try for crafters
- It looks high-end but is beginner-friendly.
- The process is tidy and repeatable when you follow the placement line and trimming order.
- You can personalize the look with cottons or shimmer fabrics.
- Sizes are available for different hoops: 4x4, small 5x7, and large 5x7 (the demo uses 4x4 on a 4T sweatshirt). embroidery machine for beginners
Overview of the tutorial You’ll hoop self-adhesive tear-away stabilizer, stitch a placement line, align the side seam, secure the garment, run placement and tack-down stitches for inner loops and the outer bow, trim fabric, carefully trim the inner bow tails, then finish with a satin stitch before removing the stabilizer. The result: crisp edges and a bow that frames the side seam beautifully.
Essential Tools and Materials for Your Project Embroidery Machine and Hoops
- Any standard home embroidery machine can follow this process; the video does not specify a model.
- Hoop size options for the design include 4x4, small 5x7, and large 5x7. The demo uses a 4x4 hoop for a 4T sweatshirt.
- The tutorial shows conventional hooping; magnetic hoops are not discussed in the video. embroidery machine hoops
The Magic of Self-Adhesive Tear-Away Stabilizer - The tutorial uses self-adhesive tear-away stabilizer because it keeps the garment firmly in place during stitching without puckering.
- It’s hooped with the adhesive exposed so the garment can be positioned right over the stitched placement line.
- Viewers in the comments also discussed water-soluble options and other workarounds, but the video’s demonstrated method is self-adhesive tear-away.
Selecting Your Applique Fabric and Thread - The demo uses a shimmer cotton look (black/gold) for the bow; the brand or source isn’t specified in the video.
- You can stitch the bow all in one color (as shown), or choose a two-color option where inner loops differ from the outer bow. Thread types and needle sizes are not specified in the video.
Pro tip If you’re researching gear beyond the video, note that the tutorial doesn’t cover magnetic accessories such as embroidery magnetic hoops. It focuses on a standard hoop plus self-adhesive tear-away stabilizer.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Applique Bow Preparing Your Stabilizer and Garment 1) Hoop self-adhesive tear-away stabilizer and run the first stitch: the garment placement line. This guides where the side seam should sit.
2) Remove the hoop from the machine and align the garment so its side seam is centered along that placement line. The presenter’s quick check: flip the hoop to the light; if you can see the seam running down the midline, you’re aligned.
Watch out Before you put the hoop back on the machine, make sure the backside of the garment is not caught under the hoop. The presenter emphasizes this to avoid accidentally stitching the garment together.
Quick check
- Side seam centered on the placement line?
- Hem placement looks right for the bow tails?
Stitching and Trimming the Applique Fabric 3) Load the hooped garment and run the next stitch to secure the garment. Then stitch placement lines for the bow: inner loops first (if you plan two colors), followed by the outer bow outline. The presenter runs both so everything is clearly marked.
4) Place your applique fabric over the placement lines and run the tack-down stitches. The video shows doing both inner and outer sections so everything is secured before trimming.
5) Remove the hoop and trim the applique fabric close to the tack-down stitches using curved-edge applique scissors. Don’t cut the stitches.
Creating the Unique Side Seam Split 6) Before the satin stitch, trim the inner portion of the bow tails. This step creates that signature “split” around the side seam. The presenter uses very sharp, fine-tipped scissors (Kai brand mentioned) to trim cleanly along the tack-down stitches without cutting them or the stabilizer.
7) When finished, the inner tails look neat and ready for satin—no stabilizer or raw garment edges showing below the bow.
From the comments: community tips and questions
- Wash-away alternatives: Several viewers prefer sticky water-soluble stabilizer so there’s less close trimming near satin stitches. Others reported success with BabyLock’s water-soluble mesh in place of tacky tear-away.
- Alignment concerns: A few viewers felt the bow’s top looked off-center. The tutorial’s method is to align the side seam with the initial placement line and verify with backlight. If you want a different visual balance, mark your own reference points before stitching.
- If your design stitched “all at once”: One viewer noted their machine didn’t stop between steps. Designs by JuJu replied that their files have color stops; your machine should pause for thread changes. Double-check your format and reach out to support if it doesn’t behave as expected.
Mastering the Satin Stitch for a Flawless Finish The Importance of the Final Stitch With the inner tails trimmed, reload the hoop and run the final satin stitch around the entire bow. This seals raw edges and gives that smooth, polished border the design is known for. The video shows an even, clean satin around every edge.
Tips for Durability and Preventing Fraying
- Trim close to tack-down, but never snip the stitches themselves.
- Keep the garment flat and the back clear to prevent accidental catches.
- The two-color option: Those first inner tack-downs correspond to the small loop pieces. If you choose contrasting colors for inner and outer bow sections, placement and tack-down sequencing matter.
Quick check After satin stitching, verify that all raw edges are covered and that the bow outline looks smooth and even around the side seam.
Note The video does not specify thread weight, needle type, or machine model. If you’re evaluating machines, keep your workflow in mind and research features that match your projects. best embroidery machine for beginners
Finishing Touches: Removing Excess Stabilizer Techniques for Clean Removal Un-hoop the project and gently tear away the excess stabilizer from the back. The presenter shows that tear-away perforates cleanly around the stitch path, so it releases without tugging the fabric out of shape. For stubborn spots, fine-tipped scissors help lift small areas.
Ensuring a Professional Look
- Carefully trim any remaining stabilizer from inside the bow tails without clipping satin stitches.
- The finished bow should show the garment through the inner split with crisp edges and no strays.
- The tutorial shows two bows—one on each side seam—for a balanced, adorable finish.
From the comments: alternative stabilizers and handling
- Some crafters prefer sticky water-soluble options, noting easier cleanup and fewer “pokies.” The video does not demonstrate that method.
- A viewer tip: hoop sticky stabilizer with the cover paper on, then score an “X” and peel only the center so your hoop doesn’t get sticky. The video doesn’t show this, but it’s a common workaround shared by the community.
Showcase Your Creation & Join the Community Inspiring Project Ideas (Holiday, Sports Wear) The finished look plays well with seasonal color stories (think festive reds/greens) or team colors for spirit wear. One commenter stitched an orange bow on a navy oxford for football season—bold and graphic.
Share Your Designs with the Designs by JuJu Blessings Facebook Group The video invites you to share your finished photos in their Facebook group. It’s a great place to swap stabilizer tips, compare alignment strategies, and trade fabric finds.
Troubleshooting & FAQs (based on the video and comments)
- My machine didn’t pause between steps—did I do something wrong?
Designs by JuJu’s files include color stops. Your machine should pause for a thread change. If it doesn’t, verify your file format and machine settings; if needed, contact support.
- Can I use cutaway instead of tear-away?
The tutorial demonstrates self-adhesive tear-away and doesn’t show cutaway. Some viewers try alternatives; results vary.
- What needle type and size should I use?
Not specified in the video. Choose needle/thread combinations that suit your fabric and stabilizer.
- Is water-soluble stabilizer better?
The presenter uses tear-away and shows clean results. Some commenters prefer sticky wash-away for simpler post-stitch cleanup. The video does not compare them side by side.
- How do I keep alignment perfect on uneven hems or tricky seams?
The method shown is aligning the seam to the stitched placement line and checking with backlight. If your hem is uneven, you may need to adjust where the placement line sits or test on scrap.
Watch out When trimming inner bow tails, use very sharp, fine-tipped scissors and stay right next to tack-down stitches without snipping them. This step is crucial for a clean split at the side seam.
Pro tip If you’re shopping for gear beyond the scope of this tutorial, remember: the video shows a standard hoop with self-adhesive tear-away and does not demonstrate magnetic setups or specialty frames. embroidery frame
From the comments: extra handling tips
- To avoid sticky buildup on your hoop, some crafters keep the cover paper on during hooping and peel away only the stitching area after scoring.
- If you accidentally nick a stitch, one viewer suggested using a seam-sealing liquid to secure the edge.
What’s not specified in the video
- Exact machine model, thread weight, needle type, and fabric source.
- Use of magnetic accessories or specialty hoops—those are not demonstrated here. machine embroidery hoops
If you’re just getting started This project is a friendly entry point. It uses small hoop sizes, a straightforward placement method, and clear visual checkpoints. If you’re choosing your first setup, look for a reliable home unit with simple hooping and color-stop handling. embroidery sewing machine
A note on equipment research The tutorial stays brand-agnostic. If you plan to experiment with other accessories or methods in future projects, verify compatibility with your own unit and test off-garment first. sewing and embroidery machine
Beyond the basics Crafters sometimes explore alternative hoops and frames. While the video doesn’t cover them, always confirm your machine’s compatibility and adjust technique as needed. magnetic hoops for embroidery machines
And if you’re curious about options not shown Some stitchers like trying different accessory types. The tutorial does not demonstrate magnetic solutions; it focuses on classic hooping with adhesive tear-away. embroidery magnetic hoop
Where to share and learn more The presenter encourages joining the Designs by JuJu Blessings Facebook group to swap photos, tips, and variations—holiday palettes, sports themes, contrast fabrics, and more.
Credits Tutorial source: Designs by JuJu. The presenter demonstrates each stage—placement, tack-down, trimming, satin stitching, and stabilizer removal—clearly on a toddler sweatshirt.