Workshop Wednesday: Making Larger Shapes

I hope everyone is enjoying the blocks so far…I know I am.

Here's another little trick I've learned for making larger shapes like the birds and vase in the center block. Since these shapes are larger, I can sometimes find it hard to keep the template from wiggling around while I starch and press. For these types of appliques, I use freezer paper templates. The freezer paper sticks to the back, making it easier to starch.

For this process I like this brand of freezer paper. It's a bit ticker than the kind you buy at the grocery store and your templates can be reused. You can find it here.

To make my templates I first trace the shape on a single sheet, then iron that sheet to a second sheet. Then I cut the template out and iron it to the wrong side of my chosen fabric. Once that is done, I cut the fabric out using my usual seam allowance.

From here I do the normal starch and press thing, being a bit more careful to not get the template too wet.

Then I remove the template and use glue to baste the shape together if needed.