One Piece at a Time

Let's make a Leaf!

 

So, big surprise, leaves are the thing I make the most of. Here is how I make them.

Trace your template onto the wrong side of the fabric.

Cut shape, adding a scant 1/4" seam allowance.

Apply starch (or Best Press, or Magic Sizing) to the seam allowance using a stencil brush (mine is size 1).

In small increments, press the seam allowance to the back using an iron on medium heat.

Bend the opposite side over and starch.

Press in the same way.

It should look like this.

Bend the point to the wrong side and dab with some starch.

Press until dry and repeat on the opposite point.

Remove template and you are all done!

Here is a download of this step for handy reference:

Download Simple Leaf

Check Out Jane's Home Again Quilt

2020 seems so long ago! That year my BOM was Home Again. Little did I know that there would be a pandemic and we would all the stuck in our houses! Blog reader Becky Fielder started teaching applique on Zoom to her guild. Jane followed along and learned and look at what she made! She only wanted to make a pillow at first but kept going with encouragement from her father. THIS is why I'm back to blogging again. It's my mission to get EVERYONE appliqueing!

The small patterns for Home Again are still free. You can look them up in the search box on the right. They come in 7" and 9" blocks.

Applique School Lesson 1: Making Templates

Let's get ready for making blocks by making a set of templates. My new favorite template material is from Karen Kay Buckley and you can find it here:

www.karenkaybuckley.com/store.php?cat=8

She has some great tutorials on her website that I highly recommend. While you are there check out her Perfect Circles, Perfect Stems, and Perfect Scissors. They are all terrific! I use the circles in EVERY project.

You can actually run the template plastic through your printer! Just be sure to let the ink dry before you start cutting. As you can see I was a bit hasty and smudged one of my templates. By the way, that unlabeled circle should have "H3" on it.

If you want to make just a few templates at a time you can trace individual shapes onto your plastic using an Extra Fine Sharpie.

After tracing, cut your template out on the drawn line.

Check you template for bumps and such.

Smooth out any bumps using a fingernail file.

Here are all my templates for the first set of blocks. As you can see, I'm using Perfect Circles for most my circle shapes.

Here's a quick download of the process for future reference.

Download Making Templates

Applique School (the nitty gritty)

 

Hello Applique Friends!

Applique School is now in session. Here are the details:

Size:72" x 72"

Small block size: 12"

Center block size: 24"

There will be 4 sets of 4 patterns for the small blocks. Each set of 4 will cost $5. The center block will be $10 and comes out at the end of the year.

The first set of patterns is available here: appliqueaddicts.patternbyetsy.com/listing/1285772926/applique-school-pattern-set-1

All the fabric details are in the patterns.

Be sure to check back later this week for a tutorial on making your templates.

Onward!