March Meeting - Applique': the aftermath

Sorry I am so slow with the blog updates (I typed bog! Feels a little bit like that today.) I am going to try to make a bit of a tutorial to remind all of you how we did our machine applique' and to remind you that you need to finish your blocks so we can make one last wall hanging to go in our box to LDS Humanitarian Aid. (If you didn't finish yours there is still time. I just got the "prize" supplies and will be making it this week!)

Step 1: Choose your fabric. You need two pieces. ;)

Step 2: Iron on your Paper Backed Fusible Web.

• Your Fusible Web should be slightly smaller than your fabric (but bigger than your intended design.
• The product should be laid on the Back/Wrong Side of the fabric you want your SHAPE to be out of.  The other piece of fabric is the BACKGROUND for your block.
• Make sure the Paper side is up.  The Adhesive side is slightly rougher and a little shinier.  If you put your iron down on the adhesive you will cry and then curse profusely when you try to clean it off.  It is worth it to check several times before you start to press it! :)
• The Fusible Web should come with instructions, which you should follow.  If it doesn't, typically you need a hot iron and you want to move it slowly and evenly until the product is completely fused.
• Let it COOL before trying anything else with it.
• There are many brands of this type of product available. For quilting, choose lightweight. The heavyweight products are very stiff and will be a bit harder to work with later and won't be soft.

Step 3:  Draw your Shape on the paper attached to your fabric.

• Remember it will be backwards because you are drawing on the wrong side of your fabric.  This obviously won't matter if you are drawing circles. hehehe
• Corners and Points are harder than smooth rounded shapes for both hand and machine applique.
• You can use templates or freehand.  You can also use shapes cut directly from a large print.

Step 4: Trim your Shape.

• Do not add a Seam Allowance.
• Use very sharp Scissors.

Step 5: Peel the Paper Off.

• This can be tricky, so be patient.
• Make sure that ONLY the paper is coming off.  If the adhesive is sticking to the paper not the fabric, try pressing it again.

• This is one of the steps when points are tricky; your fabric may start to fray if you aren't careful.  A little fraying is ok, since we will be sewing over the edge.
• If you can tell your shape is trouble, you might leave a peel tab to trim off afterward so the fraying doesn't reach in to your shape.

Step 6: Place Your Trimmed Shape(s)

• Remember the seam allowance on your block.  It is okay for your shapes to run off the edge of your block when it is in your quilt, but only if you MEANT to do it that way.  
• Lay out your pieces and look at them from a distance.  
• If you want the shape in the center, measure.  It will make you crazy later if it isn't just the way you want it. :)

Step 7: Press your Piece(s) in Place

• Use a Press Cloth to keep your Iron Safe.  (Ignore the pic here. hehe)
• Follow the same instructions you did when you pressed the paper on.

Step 8: Admire your Handiwork.

Step 9: Experiment with Stitches and Thread

• Use a scrap to try lots of types of stitches and threads.  I don't recommend experimenting on your first ever block. :)
• Everyone's machine is different, as are their preferences.  Find a stitch/thread combination that appeals to you.  If you are hand stitching, look for interesting embroidery stitches that can enhance your work. 
• Match, Contrast, Use invisible thread....the choice is up to you.  (Monofilament "invisible" thread can be tricky so be sure to practice.  I have found that some brands are better than others for my tastes.  My favorite?  Sadly it is a cone thread that had the label on the plastic packaging.  I have no idea what brand it is.  Luckily it is a very full cone so it should last me a while.)
• The general idea is to cover the "raw" but fused edge of the shapes to give it strength, help it look tidy, etc.  If you are making a quilt that will be washed a LOT, this is obviously more essential than if you are making a seasonal wall hanging that will never be washed and spends most of the year packed carefully away.
• But you can still choose to be "edgy."  Many current art quilting techniques are using raw edges in interesting ways, so maybe you don't want to cover the "raw" edge....

I will try to take some pics of stitching (or you could and submit them....hehehe) to finish out our little tutorial.  Thanks to the hands of Ruth, Amber, Karen and Joanna for starring...and thanks to Joanna for taking the pics at our meeting. k.