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Beginning Applique


Applique is simply fabric applied to another fabric. All three types of applique start with choosing a design and fabric for each pattern piece and background, then secures the edges with stitching after placement.

Materials:

Pattern will be provided in class

Wonder under iron-on fusible or heat and bond

Fabric Glue for using reverse applique (glue stick)

Fabric starch, Best Press, or Terial Magic sizing

Iron and mat   ( we do have 2 irons and mats in classroom)

Background fabric (fat quarter)

Fabric for applique pieces: fabrics for leaves and fabrics of other pretty colors

Marking pen, pencil, heat erasable pen, optional fine point chalk pen

Scissors and pins

Rotary cutter and cutting mat optional

Thread to match the background fabric

Thread to match pattern pieces fabric (can use invisible thread)

Machine

Optional walking foot for machine

Tips:

  • Cut background fabric larger than finished block size, then trim after all stitching completed. Any stitching will draw up the fabric and distort the edges.
  • Optional: can use wash away or iron away marker to draw outline of pattern on background for placement of pieces, or can place by eye. Can use a lightbox to see design.
  • Iron all fabric with sizing such as Best Press, starch, or Terial Magic.
  • Follow fusible directions for ironing onto fabric
  • If design has pattern pieces that overlap, the pieces that are in the back must be placed first.
  • If light fabric pieces overlap dark pieces, white fabric or stabilizer can cover dark fabric to prevent shadowing.
  • Always check to see if you need to trace the reverse image of the pattern
  • Stitch around pattern edges with blanket stitch, straight line, zig zag, or decorative stitch

 

Raw Edge Applique

  • Use a pencil to trace the REVERSE image of the pattern pieces onto the paper side of the wonder under adhesive.
  • Rough cut the pattern pieces: leave about ¼ inch space on outside of pattern tracing line.
  • Iron the fusible to the back side of the fabric. **
  • Cut out the pattern fabric pieces on the line.
  • Use heat erase pen to trace design on background or can place pieces by eye
  • Iron pieces into place after all pieces are where you want them.
  • Stitch around each piece with a straight line, blanket stitch, zig zag stitch, satin stitch or decorative stitch. Match thread to fabric of pattern or use invisible thread.
  • Trim background fabric to size needed.
  • Simple applique is best with long skinny pieces

**Note: Large pattern pieces can have center of Wonder Under removed before ironing onto the back of applique fabric. This prevents bulk build up if other layers of fabric will be used. However, the shape of the pattern can be easily warped, so it is not a beginning technique.

Interfacing Applique

  • Trace the image (Not Reversed) of the pattern pieces onto the paper side of the wonder under adhesive. Use a heat-erasable marking pen.
  • Rough cut the pattern pieces: leave about ¼ inch space on outside of pattern tracing line.
  • PIN ADHESIVE SIDE DOWN TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FABRIC.
  • Stitch on the traced line, backstitch at the beginning and end to lock your line of stitching. Trim excess fabric close to the stitching line (about 1/8 to ¼ inch).
  • Make a slit or “X” only on the fusible in the center of the piece without cutting the fabric. Turn inside out. Use blunt stick to poke out sharp points. Adhesive will be on the outside now.
  • Place all pieces on the background fabric before ironing any down.
  • Stitch around each piece with a straight line, zig zag stitch, or blanket stitch.
  • Trim background fabric to size needed.

 

Note: Interfacing applique pieces can be hand appliqued if not machine stitched.

Reverse Applique

  • Draw all pattern pieces in desired place onto the right side of the background fabric using a heat erasable pen.
  • Carefully cut out the traced shapes with a rotary cutter or sharp scissors. Can make a center slit in small spaces by pinching fabric and cutting slit with scissors. Cut on line. This fabric will be discarded or used in another project.
  • Place template (NOT REVERSED) on wrong side of the applique fabric and trace around shape with an erasable pen or pencil. You will use these markings to line up the cut out shapes on the background fabric later.
  • Cut out rough shape of applique fabric, leave about ¼ inch or more around. If several small openings use the same fabric, one large piece can cover more than one opening.
  • Apply fabric glue on the wrong side of the background fabric around all openings (close to the cut edge).
  • On the back side of the background fabric, place right side of applique fabric over the cut out opening of the background fabric. Make sure the fabric does not show through another opening. Fabric can overlap in places, but should not show through another opening.
  • Turn background fabric over to see the right side of the fabric. Stitch on background fabric around all openings. Can use a blanket stitch, straight stitch, zig zag, satin or decorative stitch.
  • This technique can be used if pattern pieces are not overlapping.

 

 


Instructor: Rebecca Mullins
Instructor Bio: I learned to sew at an early age. My grandmother?s applique pattern was used to make my first quilt many years ago. Since those early struggles with quilting, I have won awards for myself and for others for applique, embroidery, piecing, and longarm quilting. I have taught classes for making quilts and have made presentations to many quilt guilds. Since retiring as a nurse and an elementary teacher, I enjoy teaching others what I have learned about quilting.
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