Applique quilting is a technique which involves in sewing smaller pieces of fabric on to a larger background, in another words, layering one fabric above another. The term applique derives from a French word “appliquer”, which means “to put on” Eventhough the term originated from France, this quilting technique has been used for many centuries in many cultures. Learning the use and basics of applique will expand the possibilities of quilting enormously for you. Applique is a very versatile technique which is useful for a wide variety of design options.
The first step in learning appliqué is selecting a design. Start with a simple and larger shape for your beginning applique quilting project. Avoid small, intricate shapes for now. Basic shapes like circle or heart are great start. Start creating a pattern for your applique designs by using freezer paper because it is stiff and not too thick. Trace your design onto the freezer paper and cut it out and then you can easily trace your appliqué onto the fabric you've selected. For starters, cotton is a good choice. Next, carefully cut the appliqué design out, leaving 1/8th inches all around.
In order to stabilize the appliqué, you can pin the freezer paper to the fabric design. Now you will have to deal with the raw edges. Since the fabrics are being layered atop one another, as opposed to being sewn in seams as with traditional quilting, it's very important to learn to finish the raw edges so they won't unravel and be unsightly. One way to do this is to take your scissors and carefully snip to the marked line and then press the seam allowance under all the way around your design. Use the tip of a Popsicle stick or a chopstick to help smooth the little edges of fabric down.
Now position the appliqué design where you want it on the base fabric and hand stitch it down. There are several possibilities for stitching your appliqué. Do you want to hide the stitches or use it as a decorative element for your appliqué? If you want to hide the stitching, blind stitch or hem stitch are good possibilities. For decorative touches, try buttonhole stitching. You can use any embroidery stitch that strikes your fancy, but with some of the more complicated stitches it's a good idea to anchor your appliqué with a hem stitch first.
Finally, cut a small slit in the background fabric behind the applique very carefully. It is easy to cut through the applique itself, so be extra careful. After cutting, gently remove the freezer paper. Now turn your appliqué over and press it, smoothing the edges and taking care if you've used a decorative embroidery stitch. That's it! That's how easy it is to learn to appliqué. Once you've tried your hand at appliqué, you will be glad you've added it to your quilting repertoire. Here is a video to show you some basics of applique quilting. It is easier than you think!
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Quilters' Quotes - Author Unknown
~Those who sleep under a quilt, sleep under a blanket of love.
~A bed without a quilt is like a sky without stars.
~I'm in therapy and sewing is cheaper than a psychiatrist.
~Love is the thread that binds us.
~When I learned to sew, I forgot how to cook.
~Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.
~A quilt will warm your body and comfort your soul.
~Quilters know all the angles.
~Quilt 'til you wilt.
~When life throws you scraps, make a quilt.
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