QuiltingGuide.info
More Quilting Tips
Appliqué by Hand
Cut your appliqué pieces just outside of the marked line. Do not cut right on the
line however, since that is your sewing line. Fold the raw edge of the fabric
under, on the marked line. Baste 1/16th of an inch away from the fold with a
contrasting color of thread. Do not baste over edges that can be trapped by
another shape.
Baste the shape to the background fabric. Edges that will end up underneath
another piece do not need to be basted.
Appliqué down using a blind hem or appliqué stitch. The bottom-most piece
should be sewn on first, then other pieces may be added. Remove the basting as
each piece is stitched. Once completed, excess background fabric can be
trimmed off, keeping a 1/4th inch seam allowance.
Appliqué by Machine
Use the freezer paper approach when doing machine appliqué. Stitch the
appliqué to the background fabric using a decorative stitch of your choice. Trim
away the background fabric and then remove the paper.
Quick Method
A quick method of appliqué can be done with fusible webbing. Trace the design
onto the paper side of the webbing and cut to size. Fuse it to the wrong side of
your fabric. Trim shapes directly on the marked line. Cut all edges as smoothly
as possible. Then fuse all of the appliqué pieces to the background fabric
simultaneously. If desired, finish the edges with a decorative stitch to add
strength.
Adding a Border
Check your blocks to make sure they are straight and square before sewing the
blocks together. After they are joined, you can then add your border. The border
can be as wide or narrow as you like. Measure your quilt top carefully, preferably
through the middle, to get the proper length for your borders. Add two sides first,
like the right and left, and then add the top and bottom.
Backing and Batting
Lay the backing fabric right side down, and center the batting on top of the
backing. Make sure the batting is trimmed to the same size as the backing.
These pieces should extend about two inches from the edge of the quilt top on a
small quilt, and about four inches away from the edge on a larger quilt. Baste all
of the layers together using thread in a contrasting color.
Quilting
Take the thread color of your choice, your favorite needle and a quilting
hoop/frame. For a traditional look, quilt 1/4th of an inch away from the seam lines
or in the ditch. If you want a non-traditional look, feel free to experiment with your
stitching designs. To enhance the look of your appliqué and piecework, you can
add stitching, like crosshatch or stippling. You can quilt as much or as little as
you like.
Binding
Cut 2 ½ inch wide strips for your binding. Measure enough strips to travel entirely
around the edge of your quilt. Trim all edges of the quilt top evenly before basting
the binding fabric to it, with a thread the same color as the binding fabric. Baste
approximately 1/8th of an inch from the outside edge. Sew one edge of the
binding to the quilt top, then fold the binding in half and appliqué it to the backing.
Now your quilt is finished.
More Quilting Tips
|