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How To Appliqué (Tutorial on Appliquéing, page 1)

What is your favorite method of appliqué? Needle turn is mine - tucking the sides of an appliqué piece under with a needle before stitching. To produce neat edges it really helps to cut out a template from freezer paper and iron it to the wrong side of the fabric. This gives you something firm to turn the fabric around and tuck under.

Well, need I say more - I went home last night and could not wait to try your technique. Thank heavens, I had freezer paper in the bottom drawer of my stove.

It works so well, I was able to get a block half completed. It turns so nicely and smooth.

And I was able to pull out the freezer paper and use it several times. I did not get the bumps around the edge of the curves as usual, due to having the paper insert you can cut a smaller seam allowance.

Thanks so much, you saved the day.
Chris Knight

Here is how you can appliqué a Sunbonnet Sue block.

Step 1

Iron freezer paper templates to wrong side of fabric

Make sure that you have reversed the pattern using a light box or window. You don’t want that nasty sinking feeling when you realise that the picture is backwards! Iron your freezer paper templates onto the wrong side of the fabric. I have found that pressing the iron down for 10 seconds at the highest heat ensures that the freezer paper sticks to the fabric.

Cut out each piece allowing for about one eighth of an inch seam allowance around the edge of the template. In the case of fabric that frays easily it would be a good idea to give yourself a slightly bigger allowance. Clip curves. The freezer paper will be staying on the piece while you stitch it down.

Step 2

Place drawing over foundation, put applique piece underneath

Place your drawing over the foundation fabric matching up any register marks you have made. In this case I have cut clear plastic to the exact size of the finished pillow and have made pencil marks around each corner on the background fabric.

While keeping one hand holding down the drawing, gently lift up the clear plastic and place the piece of appliqué underneath so that it lines up with the drawing. Here you can see that I have already stitched some pieces onto the foundation fabric.

Step 3

Close up of template placed under clear plastic

Here is a close up of the top part of Sunbonnet Sue's red hat laid underneath the clear plastic drawing. See how it lines up with the marking pen. don’t forget that there is an eighth of an inch seam allowance around the template so make sure you accommodate this when lining up each piece.

I buy this clear plastic from Jo-Anns. It comes in a roll and you can buy as many yards as you wish. Sharpie pens stick to the surface but I have noticed that with much use the lines do smudge and wear away so keep an eye on it. All you need to do is touch up the drawing occasionally.

How to Appliqué page 2
How to Appliqué page 3

Rose Rushbrooke
Artist, Quiltmaker,
Fractalist and Character Animator

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