Social Distancing Applique Free Machine Embroidery design - 6 sizes

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This free Social Distancing applique machine embroidery design recreates a rectangular safety-style sign with SOCIAL DISTANCING lettering, two people, a double arrow and both 2 m and 6 feet distance markings. Stitch it on a hoodie, sweatshirt, jacket, work apron, uniform, backpack, tote bag or a separate fabric base for an embroidered patch. It can also be used for theatre costumes, museum displays, pandemic-history projects and humorous 2020-inspired textile gifts.

Size: 88.0x98.4 mm (3.46x3.87 "), Stitches: 9767
Size: 105.9x118.3mm (4.17x4.66 "), Stitches: 11735
Size: 127.9x143.1mm (5.04x5.63 "), Stitches: 14240
Size: 148.2x165.9 mm (5.83x6.53 "), Stitches: 16835
Size: 176.9x198.0 mm (6.96x7.80 "), Stitches: 20369

Formats: .dst, .jef, .pec, .vip, .hus, .pes, .exp, .sew, .dat, vp3, xxx

Download Instructions

Suitable hoops

How to embroider the applique

1. Hoop the base fabric together with the appropriate stabilizer and stitch the first placement outline.
2. Cover the upper rectangle with black applique fabric and stitch the tack-down line.
3. Remove the hoop assembly from the machine without taking the fabric out of the hoop. Trim the black fabric close to the tack-down stitching.
4. Place yellow applique fabric over the lower rectangle, stitch the tack-down line and trim away the excess fabric.
5. Return the hoop to the machine. Complete the satin border, dividing line, lettering, figures, arrows and distance markings.

Quilting cotton, twill, lightweight felt and other fabrics that do not fray excessively work well for the applique pieces. A lightweight fusible web can prevent bubbles and shifting. If temporary spray adhesive is used, apply a light coating away from the embroidery machine. Excess adhesive collects lint and can contaminate the needle bar and hook area.

Related applique designs

Stay WILD Applique

SO LOVELY Applique

Happy Father's Day Applique

Crab Free Applique

Madeira Classic 40 color chart

The design uses three thread colors in six stitching segments. The first three segments are part of the applique placement and tack-down process. Their thread colors may be matched to the applique fabrics to make the technological stitching less visible.

Stabilizers for different fabrics

Practical embroidery tips

• Use a size 75/11 ballpoint or jersey needle for sweatshirt knits. A size 75/11 embroidery needle is suitable for stable cotton and twill.
• Do not remove the garment from the hoop while trimming the applique fabric. Remove the complete hoop assembly from the machine so the base fabric cannot shift.
• Trim close to the tack-down stitching without cutting the stitching or the base fabric.
• Use 40-weight embroidery thread and reduce the machine speed to approximately 550–700 stitches per minute for cleaner small lettering and satin borders.
• Even stable non-stretch fabric requires stabilizer. The backing prevents the rectangular satin border from pulling the fabric inward.
• The chart refers to Madeira Classic 40 rayon. For frequently washed workwear, Madeira Polyneon 40 polyester provides better resistance to abrasion, chlorine and repeated laundering.
• This is a decorative embroidery design and should not be used as an official or legally compliant safety sign.

Always test stitch the design using the same fabric, applique materials, stabilizer, needle and thread planned for the finished item.