| Applique is a creative technique, often used in quilting. It | | | | and seem unnoticeable. If you are pretty confident and |
| can also be intimidating if you've never tried it before. | | | | experienced, with a sewing machine that takes fairly |
| Here are some simplified instructions, for those who | | | | uniform stitches, you may want to coordinate your |
| wish to attempt this sometimes dreaded task. An | | | | thread with an accent color on your quilt. In this case, |
| applique stitch is a stitch used to attach one piece of | | | | you would choose a color much different from the |
| fabric to another. In quilt making, this method is often | | | | shape that matches another color on the quilt that you |
| used to attach simple cut outs to a base fabric. The | | | | want to bring out. |
| applique stitch will accomplish two things. First, it will | | | | 4) Test your tension! This step is very important and is |
| securely attach the cut out to the block. Second, it will | | | | one that you should try on scrap pieces of fabric. This |
| keep the edges of the cut out from fraying. Below, | | | | way, you won't mess up your masterpiece! Take two |
| you will find step by step instructions on how to | | | | scraps, one that is smaller than the other one. Use |
| applique. | | | | your zigzag stitch to sew the smaller piece on top of |
| 1) The first step is to cut out a quilt block and also the | | | | the larger piece. Sew along the edge of the smaller |
| shape you wish to attach to the block. If you have | | | | piece so that the needle alternates, taking a stitch on |
| purchased a pre-cut quilt kit, this will already be done | | | | the smaller piece, and a stitch on the larger piece, |
| for you. | | | | attaching the two together. Make sure your stitches |
| 2) Next, you will use a light weight fusible web (sold as | | | | are even. Your zigzag stitches should also be very |
| Stitch Witchery, Heat N Bond, etc.) to attach the cut | | | | close together, to create a satin stitch, so the edge of |
| out to the block. This will prevent the cut out from | | | | the cut out is not exposed when you are finished. If |
| moving around while you applique. Washing the fabrics | | | | your stitches are not satisfactory, adjust your tension, |
| before starting the fusing process, will ensure that the | | | | a little at a time, until you get the desired results. If |
| fusible web will adhere to the fabrics. Follow the | | | | adjusting your thread tension doesn't work, try |
| instructions that come with the fusible web to attach | | | | adjusting your bobbin tension. |
| the cut out(s) to the quilt block. | | | | 5) Now for the fun part! It is a good idea to start on a |
| Note: If you don't have fusible web, you can use | | | | corner so the place where you start and end will look |
| straight pins to attach the cut outs, but you will likely | | | | as smooth as possible. Sew around the shape(s) with |
| have puckers in your cutout when it is appliqued. To | | | | a zigzag stitch. If you are going to applique' more than |
| center a name on a block, start with the middle letter | | | | one shape, such as a name, start with the center letter |
| of the name. For example, if you have the name, | | | | first. As you sew around the shape, pause and turn on |
| "AVERY", you would start with the letter "E". Place the | | | | the corners, to keep an even stitch, all the way around. |
| "E" in the center of the block and press. Then place | | | | Try to end so that the place you start and end looks |
| the "V" and the "R". Then place the "A" and the "Y". | | | | continuous. |
| 3) Choose your thread color. If you are a beginner, it is | | | | See, that wasn't so difficult. You should now have an |
| a good idea to choose a thread color that will blend in | | | | appliqued piece of work, that you can show to all of |
| with the shape you will applique'. This will help to hide | | | | your friends, and be proud of. |
| any mistakes, as they will blend in with the shape(s) | | | | |