Alternative spellings

• appliqué

Noun

Singular applique

Plural appliques

applique (plural appliques)

1. (art) a decorative design made by cutting pieces of material and applying them to the surface of another for decoration.

Verb

Infinitive to applique

Third person singular appliques

Simple past appliqued

Past participle appliqued

Present participle appliqueing

to applique (third-person singular simple present appliques, present participle appliqueing, simple past and past participle appliqued)

1. (transitive, art) to decorate something in this way

French

In its broadest sense, an applique or appliqué is a smaller ornament or device applied to another surface. In the context of ceramics, for example, an appliqué is a separate piece of clay added to the primary work, generally for the purpose of decoration. The word appliqué is a french word that, in this context, means "that has been applied".

In the context of sewing, applique refers a needlework technique in which pieces of fabric, embroidery, or other materials are sewn onto another piece of fabric to create designs, patterns or pictures. It is particularly suitable for work which is to be seen from a distance, such as in banner-making. A famous example of applique is the Hastings Embroidery.

Appliqued cloth is an important art form in Benin, West Africa, particularly in the area around Abomey, where it has been a tradition since the 18th century and the kingdom of Danhomè.

Applique is used extensively in quilting. "Dresden Plate" and "Sunbonnet Sue" are two examples of traditional American quilt blocks that are constructed with both patchwork and applique. Baltimore album quilts, Broderie perse, Hawaiian quilts, Amish quilts and the ralli quilts of India and Pakistan also use applique.