Quilting Applique

Looking to add a little something extra to your quilts?  Here's tips on applique and all it's wonders!

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.

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.

I have an old leather coat that I am slowly cutting up to make thimbles as I need them.  I think I will have a lifetime of thmbles, but I have shared them with my friends so it's going quicker than I thought it would.  I cut a piece slightly larger than the circumference of my middle finger (to allow for seam allowance) and sew it so it is curved for the fit of the tip of my finger.  The seam stays on the outside and never seems to get in my way.  If I get a needle worn spot I simply rotate it to prolong the length of use.  It is so comfortable and sometimes I forget that I even have it on!  I have embarrassed my children many times when I have picked them up from school and it is still on my finger while I'm driving!  Hope this is helpful to a few of you!  Very economical!

LynninMN