Tutorial: Interfacing applique technique

Does everyone already know how to do applique using fusible interfacing? I can't recall when I learned this great technique, it's certainly not my original idea, but I thought I'd share a quick tutorial.  Disclaimer: all photos taken with the flash leading to poor quality and weird reflections but I think you can handle it!

I'm working on a mini quilt, applique on chenille, as one of my cozy items for Handmade Parade.   Without further ado, on with the tutorial:

Draw the designs you want to applique on the back (non bumpy) side of a lightweight fusible interfacing:

Pin designs to the fabric you want to applique with the bumpy (fusible) side of the interfacing toward the good side of the fabric:

Now sew on your drawn lines (or just inside since you don't want the pen marks to show like they do on my project).  Stitch all the way around your shape without leaving a gap:

Then cut out your image pretty darn close to the stitch line. Clip corners as needed to reduce bulk and make curves smooth.

Now cut a slit in the interfacing through which you will turn your applique piece right side out (thereby tucking in the raw edges:

Carefully turn your piece right side out taking care not to tear the interfacing (too much).  Poke out the corners as needed:

Arrange your applique pieces on the fabric you are appliquing them to and iron to lightly fuse them in place:

We interrupt this tutorial programming for me to comment on how much I love my dorky little hand sewing kit. I made this little pouch and added a needle, a spool of thread, a leather thimble, a few pins and embroidery scissors and it's a perfectly portable kit for a perfectly portable craft (hand sewing or hand quilting). I have another one for embroidery. I love this simple kit so much I'm going to make a few to sell at Handmade Parade. I think they would be a cool gift for someone who enjoys sewing or wants to learn.  The ones I'm making will come with a needle case and without a wine stain (oops).

So, hand sewing, you need to hand (or machine) sew around the edges of your applique pieces. If you hand sew, use a coordinating thread and a blind stitch as you would use to sew binding.

And that's it. Good looking applique quick and easy with no needle turning required.

I hope this is helpful--let me know if anything is unclear.

have a great day!

 

Comments

[alli]

Really neat! I finally got over my fear of the sewing machine and have been going to town. The first project I made was a burp cloth http://www.flickr.com/photos/crumleydotorg/1308456222/in/set-72157601825077722/

[Alissa]

Oh my goodness- I hardly ever quilt, and have never been a huge fan of applique, but all of a sudden I am trying to think up a project to use this technique on! Thank you for the tutorial, looks like fun, and your chenille looks very cozy.

[JenniferB]

I took a year long quilt class through a fabric store locally, and on the month of the applique -- ARGH. That's all I can say about that, without this entry going south. So THANK YOU from all of my needle bitten fingers, and even from my future project recipients (probably) for teaching me something so awesome and totally useful!

[Richelle F]

Thanks for the tutorial. I have always been scared of appliqués, but that doesn't sound too bad! I'll have to try it sometime.

[Sonja]

Great tutorial!
I'll add this to the list of things I will try someday. Maybe next summer...

[claudine]

Thanks for this tutorial, it's a brilliant idea.

[Barbara]

This is so brilliant!

[Kate]

How do I keep the white interfacing from showing just a tad all around? I can't press the pieces before applying, cause the bottom part will heat up and stick. ANything I'm doing wrong?
Thanks in advance!
Kate
P.S. Can I use this method on any applique pieces, as long as I add the 1/4 inch all around?
I'm thinking of the stuff by Piece O'Cake designs that are so cool looking!