Instructions

• Step 1: Choose design Choose an applique design, keeping in mind basic shapes are the easiest and best suited for beginners.
• Step 2: Choose fabric Choose a fabric or fabrics for your applique that compliment your quilt fabric in color and texture.
• Step 3: Make a template Make a simple template by tracing or drawing your design on freezer paper, and then cutting it out.
• TIP: Experiment with a few designs and fabrics before committing to your quilt applique on a large scale.
• Step 4: Cut applique fabric Place your template on the wrong side of the applique fabric and cut out the design, leaving a generous ¼-inch seam allowance.
• Step 5: Fold and press seam allowance Fold the seam allowance over the freezer paper template on all edges. Then press the edges flat with a hot iron.
• TIP: Clip seam allowance curves and corners to keep the seam allowance flat, depending on your design.
• Step 6: Attach to quilt fabric Attach the applique to your quilt fabric with pins, without removing the freezer paper. Then stitch it in place using a blind, hem, or decorative embroidery stitch.
• Step 7: Trim quilt fabric Cut the quilt fabric away, but leave a ¼-inch seam allowance. Then remove the freezer paper.
• TIP: Freezer paper is easily removed with tweezers.
• Step 8: Duplicate Duplicate your applique as many times as required to complete your quilt top design, knowing you are following a time-honored needlework tradition.
• FACT: Issac Singer helped free women from the task of hand sewing when he patented and manufactured his sewing machine model in the 1850s.

You Will Need

• Quilt fabric
• Contrasting fabric
• Freezer paper
• A pencil
• Scissors
• An iron
• Straight pins
• A sewing machine or sewing needle
• Thread
• Tweezers (optional)