Appliqué Lesson 4: Basting and Stuffed Circles

Basting Appliqué Block

Before I begin stitching I like to baste all my appliqué shapes into place. This eliminates the problem of your thread getting tangled up on pins. Some people like to sew their shapes down but I find it’s much easier to use Roxanne’s Glue Baste. To do this find the center of your background fabric. Pin the pattern onto the backside of your background fabric making sure the centers are aligned. You should be able to see the pattern through the fabric. If not, use a light box. Baste the appliqué pieces in place by placing a small amount of glue onto the background fabric and pressing the shapes in place. Be sure to pay attention to the layering of complicated shapes so that no raw edges are exposed.

Making Stuffed Circles

One of the ways I add dimension to my quilts is by adding stuffed circles. I use Karen Kay Buckley’s Perfect Circle templates. There are some other circle templates available as well; I just find these very durable. To add the stuffing I use a fusible web to trace my circles. I then fuse this web onto some lightweight batting and cut out the circles. These circles can then be fused onto the back side of your fabric circles. To finish these circles I stitch around the edge of the fabric as shown. Place the circle template on top of the batting and pull the stitching thread to pull the seam allowance in. Once the circle is formed use your stencil brush to apply some starch and press until the circle is dry (I just set the iron down right on top and wait a few seconds). After you remove the template you will have a nice stuffed circle for you appliqué. You can also omit the batting for a flatter circle appliqué shape.

 
Stitched Circle with Batting Fused Inside 

Place Template on Top of Batting

Hold Circle While Pulling Thread

Brush Circle with Starch and Press

Comments

[Karen]

I see we do circles the same way - love this method don't you.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

[EvaLena]

awesome, Thanks for great tutorial. looks much easier that wonder under.
Heading out to store immediatley to buy glue.
have great day
EvaLena

[Rebecca Grace]

Erin, what kind of batting do you use when you are stuffing your circles? I have tried a couple of batting scraps I had on hand but the ones I'm using seem too wispy and don't make such a definite circle like yours do.

[erinrussek]

I use white and natural