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Appliqué Directions - The Basics
- shelby1185
- Dec 6, 2024
- 5 min read
Before Getting Started
Read all the instructions before beginning your project to find valuable tips, save time and minimize mistakes by understanding the process before you begin!
If this is an Art Quilt, pre-washing fabric is not necessary.
We strive to create accurate patterns, but just as no tree in nature is perfect, neither are we. Visit our website at www.pineneedles.com for any corrections before beginning your quilt.
Assemble your tools and clear your workspace; you’ll also enjoy having a wall space for auditioning fabrics and block layouts.
Some pieces may be cut from directional fabrics or fabrics with multiple colors or shades. Pay close attention to cutting and placement for appliqués, borders and blocks, referring to pattern cover.
Use an accurate ¼" seam allowance to join blocks and borders, pressing to minimize bulk, toward the darker fabric when possible.
Note that WOF refers to width of fabric, and LOF refers to length of fabric.
Fusible Techniques
Fusible web appliqué techniques are easy to master, and perfect for creating appliqué projects with tight corners and curves.
Different brands of fusible web have different instructions; read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for product usage.
All appliqué pattern pieces are mirror images of the finished design; no seam allowance is needed with fusible web techniques.
The Appliqué Pressing Sheet is McKenna’s product of choice when working with fusible appliqué. This non-stick, semi-transparent sheet is layered over the Placement Guide, allowing you to accurately position and temporarily fuse appliqué pieces together prior to final placement.
When pressing to fuse, use a press-and-lift motion rather than sliding the iron back-and-forth, which may cause pieces to move.
If you cut all your appliqué pieces at the same time, separate them for each section and store them in small plastic storage bags labeled for easy reference.
Step-by-Step Fusible Web
Follow McKenna’s simple steps for perfectly fused appliqué.
Trace and label each appliqué piece from the Cutting Guide to the paper side of the fusible web.
Leaving a border around each piece, trim around the pieces to separate.
Position each piece on fabric, referring to pattern cover for color or print placement if desired.
Fuse the web or glue side of the fusible web to the back or wrong side of fabric, following the manufacturer’s directions.
Cut out each fused piece on the traced line.
Place the Appliqué Pressing Sheet over the Placement Guide. Remove the paper backing from appliqué pieces. Position appliqués onto pressing sheet, layering in order as indicated in assembly directions and on the Placement Guide. When you’re satisfied with positioning, lightly fuse the pieces together by gently using the tip of your iron.
Once appliqué is cool, carefully remove fused appliqué unit from the sheet; position it on background fabric.
Permanently fuse in place using a firm press-and-lift motion.
Finishing Basics: Layering & Quilting
Smoothly layering and securing the batting, backing and completed quilt top prepares your art quilt for successful finishing. Beyond these basic steps, see Tips from McKenna Ryan’s Design Studio below for more detail and inspiration!
Cut batting so that it extends 2"-3" beyond all sides of the finished quilt top.
Place the backing on a smooth surface with the right side down; center the batting over the backing and smooth into place.
Place the quilt top over the batting, right side up.
Baste the layers together by pinning, spray basting or hand basting, as desired.
Thread your machine with monofilament or cotton thread for top stitching and cotton or polyester/cotton thread in the bobbin. Attach the sewing machine’s darning foot and lower the feed dogs.
Echo the edges of each appliqué piece by smoothly moving the basted layers under the needle to free motion quilt the layers.
Trim all layers of your quilt evenly on all four sides.
Binding
Finish the edges of your quilt with a simple, traditional single-fold continuous binding. If you’re not familiar with this technique, visit our website at www.pineneedles.com to find fully illustrated, printable instructions; or ask for assistance at your local quilt shop.
Cut the required number of 2½" x WOF strips from the binding fabric.
Join to create a binding long enough for your quilt; fold lengthwise and press with a single fold.
Stitch raw edge to trimmed quilt edge, mitering each corner.
Stitch the final seam to join the binding ends and finish stitching the remaining portion to the quilt edge.
Turn the folded edge to the back of the quilt and hand stitch to the quilt backing to finish.
Tips from McKenna Ryan’s Design Studio
Take Time Choosing Your Fabrics
Your McKenna Ryan quilt will come to life when you take the time to locate the area of your fabric with the color, texture and movement to accentuate the appliqué pieces. McKenna auditions each piece from various areas of a fabric before she selects the placement for each appliqué.
When fusing appliqué pieces together, press lightly with the tip of your iron so that, if necessary, the pieces can be easily separated. Place your design on a wall, stand back, and look at the overall composition and fabric choices. When you’re satisfied with what you see, proceed with final pressing.
Free Motion Savvy
Stitching the outer edges of each appliqué piece is part of the process, adding definition as well as stability to your creation. Here is how McKenna does it:
Layer and baste your quilt using pins, basting spray or hand-basting techniques.
McKenna prefers using a monofilament thread on the top, as it is semi-transparent and blends with the fabrics, eliminating the need to change top threads to match. For the bobbin, choose a thread that matches or complements the backing.
Outline the visible portions of each appliqué piece beginning in the middle of the block and moving out toward the edges. Starting your quilting in the center allows you to smooth your layers from the center toward the edges, which is especially important to help avoid puckering on a large quilt.
With your first stitches, pull bobbin thread to the top of the quilt and hold on to the extending threads to prevent unsightly knots on the back.
Create hidden knots at the beginning and again as you finish each appliqué piece by pressing your foot pedal quickly to produce three or four small stitches in the same spot. Without stopping to trim threads, move to the next appliqué piece. Once the quilting is complete, trim these threads.
Stitch a small area, create a hidden knot, smooth the basted layers in the next area, and quilt another small area. Continue until the entire appliquéd area is quilted.
Once each appliquéd block is fully quilted, change the foot on your sewing machine to a quilting foot or stitch-in-the-ditch foot and stitch around the seam line of the block, background or border. (This technique is known as "stitching in the ditch".)
Once the basic outline quilting is done, stretch your creativity further by stitching an overall quilting design, outline areas printed on fabric, or add clouds, leaves, trees or other details on your background. Embrace the process!
