Workshop Wednesday: Templates and a Simple Leaf

SO! Let's get started making applique shapes! The simple leaf is a great place to start.

I use starch and heat resistant template plastic to pre-make all my applique shapes. The template plastic I like is called Templar. You can find it at (and many wonderful notions):

karenkaybuckley.com

I use Sta-Flo starch concentrate for my starch. I'm really allergic to pretty much anything scented so this is my go-to product. There are many great products out there so experiment and see what you like. I dilute my starch to about 1 tablespoon per 1/2 cup but, also, experiment and see what works for you. You want to make sure your applique shapes are not so stiff that you can't sew through them!

 

Here's the process:

Trace your shape onto the heat resistant template plastic.

Cut the shape out.

Check to see if you have any lumps from cutting.

File these away so that your curves are smooth.

Trace your shape onto the wrong side of your fabric and cut out a scant 1/4'' from the drawn line.

Using a small brush, apply starch to the seam allowance of one side of your leaf.

Gently lift the edge with your brush.

Start pressing and your edge toward the back of the template. Gradually press so you have the whole edge turned. Hint: The tighter the curve the smaller the pressing increments.

Once you have one side done do the other side. For smaller leaves I hold both ends like this.

Your shape should look like this.

If you want to, you can bend those point to the back and starch them in place (sorry this picture isn't great).

Remove the template and you are ready to go!

Comments

[Lani Ichikawa Ennis]

Thank you for the tutorial. I have a question. Would you still use templar for a shape even if you're only going to use that shape once?

Thank you,
Lani

[Randy]

Hi Erin,

I have the tiny stem down now. However, I'm having trouble with the teeny tiny circles, like in block 13 of "Be Happy." Any helpful tips? I've tried using the smallest circle from Karen Buckley's "perfect circles," but it isn't going well.

Thank you! And I'm looking forward to the new "Home Again" quilt blocks!

Randy

[erinrussek]

Yes I do that...I also save my templates in case that shape will be helpful in the future.

[erinrussek]

I ended up making super tiny circles with Templar for these. Its challenging!

[Randy]

Thank you Erin. I will practice more!

[Randy]

It's me again. (In my original email I was referencing "Bountiful" block 13. Hope it wasn't confusing.) I really need to save all your applique patterns in separate files. Good resolution for 2020; must get organized.