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How to Quilt>Adding Applique to Quilts
Applique in Quilts
If you love appliqué quilts but just don’t seem to be developing the knack of turning under those seam allowances during stitching, you don’t have to give up on appliqué. There are other methods that can help you.
First of all, the easiest way to avoid turning edges under is to sew around your appliqué objects with a satin stitch. If you choose this method, remember that it is not necessary to stitch around the entire piece of your design if another part is layered on top of it. In fact, having a satin stitch that runs under part of your design might create an unwanted lump. Since another fabric will be stitched on top, don’t worry about securing those underneath areas at all. Another way to avoid turning fabric under for appliqués is to use the sew and turn technique. In this option, you will cut two pieces of fabric for each pattern piece. Here’s how it works, using a Sunbonnet Sue for an example: As you cut your Sue pieces from the desired fabric, have a solid color fabric (muslin is great because it is light weight and neutral in color) to use as a back piece. When you cut your pieces, stack the muslin under the printed fabric with wrong sides facing. When you cut, you will be cutting an upper piece (your printed fabric) and a backing (the muslin). After all your pieces (and backings for each of them) have been cut, you will stitch the pairs of pieces together. In this example, you will stitch the two bonnet pieces together, right sides facing. Leave a small area in which to turn the fabric right sides out. Do this will all your pairs of pieces. Try to plan your openings in an area that is going to be overlapped. When you do this, you won’t have to stitch the area closed later. When it’s time to turn the pieces, you will need to have a small tool to help you turn even the smallest areas. A wooden pair of chop sticks works well. So does a crochet hook as long as you are careful not to push through the seams. Once you have each piece turned right side out, use a steam iron to press them flat. Lay them out on a table as they will appear on your quilt. This will give you an idea of which pieces will have to be completely closed with a finishing stitch and which can be left as they are. On the ones that have to be stitched closed (at least the bonnet in our example), fold the edges inward and whip stitch them closed. Another variation of stitch and turn is to follow the steps outlined above, except to sew each design completely closed. To turn the fabric pieces right side out, you will snip a slit in the backing fabric, going in from the backside to turn the piece right side out. This totally eliminates the need for whip stitching open seams. With either of the stitch and turn methods, be sure to clip any curves and trim the seams for easier turning and a flatter appliqué.
When your appliqué pieces are finished, sew them onto your quilt top using your choice of stitches. The most popular hand appliqué stitches are button hole or blanket stitch. Popular machine stitches include zig zag and satin stitches. Running stitches are also effective appliqué stitches done by either machine or hand. Depending on your design, you might even use a combination of several of your favorite appliqué stitches on your quilt.
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren www.How-to-Quilt.com
©2009, Penny Halgren This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
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