Applique Tutorial

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Some of you have seen this tutorial on my website, but if not, here it is on my blog. This is not the most common freezer paper applique method. You would be surprised how many people tell me they already know how to do this only to be surprised when they see it actually done. In this method, the freezer paper is ironed to the FRONT or RIGHT SIDE of the fabric. The edges are turned to the wrong side. The freezer paper makes it easy to turn the loose edges under. The glue stick makes them stay in place. When finished, you have a figure with all edges turned under. You can see exactly what it will look like on different backgrounds. This is not a good method for tiny pieces although it works well for pieces as small as leaves, etc. I've used it for letters, too. It makes large applique pieces extremely easy. So......take a look and see if this is something you might want to try!

1. Trace the pattern piece off onto the DULL side of the freezer paper.

2. Cut out the freezer paper pattern on the lines. Do not add seam allowances.

3. Press the freezer paper onto the RIGHT side of the fabric. NOTE: Place the shiny side against the fabric and press the dull side. The shiny side will stick to your iron if you do this backwards!!!! This will not hurt your fabric and can be easily peeled off (unless your iron gets hotter than a normal cotton setting.)

4. Leave the pattern on and cut out the fabric leaving a turn-under allowance of about 1/4". Clip inside curves, inside points, etc.

5. Run a line of glue stick along the seam allowance. Be careful to not press hard enough to pull the fabric off the paper. (The new fabric glue pens make this really easy, but regular washable school glue works fine. I do not recommend the blue or purple kind, although it may be fine. Test first.) If you are not using 100% cotton, it might be harder to get the glue to adhere your seam allowance. It sticks really well with cotton.

6. Turn the seam allowance to the WRONG side of the fabric, using the edge of the freezer paper as your guide.  (It is a little hard to tell in this photo because the wrong side of this black fabric is almost white like the paper! What you are seeing is the wrong side of the fabric. The seam allowances are turned under and ready to be pressed.)

7. Press the seam allowances in place.

8. Peel the paper off the right side of the fabric. (Save it to reuse if you want. You can reuse it several times before it stops adhering.)

9. Pin in place on your quilt to see if you like your fabric choices. If so, you can stick them in place with more glue stick to help keep them in place.

10. Either hand applique or machine applique  your pieces to your background. 

That's all there is to it! Give it a try. It is really easy. 
The figures in most of my patterns are appliqued using this method. It is fast, easy, and you can see before you sew exactly what you are going to end up with.