Applique Techniques

If you store your glue sticks that you use for applique in the refridgerator, it will make them harder. They will then be easier to use (because they aren't mushy) and they will last longer.

Often times I have found myself in groups trying to learn another applique tip!!  For some reason, when using freezer paper as an applique tool, most people have a great bit of difficulty removing the freezer paper from small pieces or those awful angle points.  I have found that rolling the fabric with the freezer paper attached between your thumb and forefinger - back and forth - will usually cause the freezer paper to loosen it's grip.  Then simply remove the freezer paper and you are ready to go. 

Just thought I would share this with anyone who might need a little help with freezer paper removal.

God bless,

Jaleena

I have been doing alot of blanket stitch around fusible applique on a quilt for my sister.  I take apart the six strands of embroidery floss, wax each one, fold it over so it's ready to thread and then wrap it around a floss holder.  That way I have six strands ready to go.  The wax makes my tread easier to handle and I don't have to stop so often to get my thread ready.  Also- if you want some free floss holders, cut them out of empty plastic milk cartons. Great way to recycle!

Fusible web backing is often hard to remove. Just score the sticky paper with a pin, slip the pin under the scored paper and remove the backing easily.

No matter what applique technique you use for a a landscape quilt, it is necessary to choose the elements you want in your picture.  One easy way to have a library of these elements is to take your camera with you when you go walking.  Take pictures of the foliage and flowers for that particular season.  Take some that will show the general shapes, and then a few close-ups of flowers and leaves.  If you have a digital camera, this can be saved to a CD and then printed as you need a certain element.

I have found a very good use for used dryer sheets.  When doing applique work,  cut out your design  and the same thing out of a dryer sheet.  For example:  You want to applique a heart.  Cut out your heart and a heart out of the dryer sheet.  Put the heart with the right side toward the dryer sheet heart.  Sew completely around the heart.  Then cut a slit in only the dryer sheet.  Then turn the heart through the slit.  Press it out and voila!  Perfectly turned under edges.  Press it and applique it to your item.

If you trace your design to the SHINY (not dull) side of the freezer paper and iron to the wrong side of the fabric, your design will NOT come out in reverse. It will come out exactly like the pattern!

I don't like the stiff appearance of fused applique.  So after I trace the shape to my fusible web, I cut 1/4" around the INSIDE of the web before fusing it to my fabric.  This way just the edges of the applique are fused and the center is soft!

one of the best and cheapest way i have found to stablize any applique or embroidery is to use newspaper. you do have to worry about the print rubbing off on light fabrice but you can buy it in blank sheets and it is cheap like I said.

An easy way to create a template for you applique is to use the Press n Seal wrap made by Glad.  The wrap will stick to the pattern for your applique and you trace the design directly onto the wrap.  Then pull the wrap off of the pattern and press it to your fabric.  Simply cut along the lines that you traced and then remove the wrap from the fabric.  The template made from the Press n Seal won't shift as you trace the pattern or cut your fabric.