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Appliqué Maker

Pro tool

Cut file from an existing applique design

Applique designs start with a running-stitch placement line. This tool finds it, rebuilds the fabric outline, and exports it as a cut file with an allowance you choose. Detection is a heuristic; you can pick the colour block yourself.

Drop an embroidery file or click to choose
An applique PES, DST, JEF, EXP, VP3 or XXX · stays on your device

Load an applique design to see the detected fabric outline.

About this tool

How the placement line is found

An applique design sews a closed running-stitch outline first, then a tack-down on the same footprint, then a satin or zigzag border. The detector scores every colour block: a closed run with 2 to 4 mm stitches whose start meets its end, followed within three blocks by a tack-down and a satin on the same outline, is applique. Each candidate shows its confidence and the reasons, so a wrong guess is visible before you cut fabric.

Where the allowance comes from

The fabric edge has to end under the satin, at least 0.8 mm onto the fabric side of the inner rail, and it moves during tack-down and shrinks when the satin pulls. The allowance is the margin that survives all three: for a 4 mm satin on woven cotton about 0.5 to 0.8 mm outside the placement line, less for felt, more for thick or fraying fabric. The allowance guide has the arithmetic.

Limits

  • Designs that use a fill as placement, or combine placement and tack-down in one block with a stop, confuse the detector; choose the block manually.
  • Check the seller's licence before deriving cut files from a bought design; designs you digitised are yours.

How to use it

  1. 1

    Drop the design

    Any readable stitch format. Colour blocks are listed with what the detector thinks each one is.

  2. 2

    Confirm the placement block

    Candidates are ranked by confidence with the reasons; pick another block manually if the design is unusual.

  3. 3

    Set the allowance

    How far outside the placement line to cut, from the satin width and fabric. The default is 0.5 to 0.8 mm for a 4 mm satin on woven cotton.

  4. 4

    Download

    Pro downloads the SVG (Cricut, Silhouette, ScanNCut) or DXF at 1:1, plus a printable placement template.

Questions

How is the placement line detected?

A closed running-stitch outline (2–4 mm stitches, start meets end) followed within three colour blocks by a tack-down and a satin or zigzag on the same footprint scores as applique. Each candidate shows its confidence and reasons.

What allowance should I use?

For a 4 mm satin on woven cotton, 0.5–0.8 mm outside the placement line. Use less for felt, more for thick or fraying fabric. The allowance guide explains the trade-off.

Can I use this on designs I bought?

Check the seller's licence. Some design shops forbid deriving cut files from their files; others ship SVGs themselves. Designs you digitised are yours.

Why is my design not detected?

Designs that use a fill as placement, or that combine placement and tack-down in one block with a stop, confuse the heuristic. Pick the block manually from the list; any block with closed runs works.

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