Applique by Hand: Zen for Stitchers

For many quilters, hand is a four letter word. We grew up with machines, our time was limited, and you can do a lot more sewing if a machine is sewing with you.

Sue Makinen

So, why would you choose to applique by hand? For the very reason we really choose to do anything. Because its fun!

It has some other great qualities as well. 

• It's portable.
•  It's calming.
•  It can be done anywhere.
•  It doesn't take your full attention, so you can do it chatting, talking, or watching TV.

We're going to look at several different applique techniques over the next week. There may well be as many applique techinques as there are quilters, but there are some classic ways to  do this that make your life Feasier.

Does it have to be old fashioned? Don't be silly. We can take all kinds of designs and use the techniques that work best for us. There are no rules. Merely suggestions.

from Cottontail Quilters

The most classic applique technique is needle turned applique. It's old school but it's lovely. You use the needle to turn the applique edges over as you stitch.

From Hetties Patch

The starting point is where you mark and cut your applique pieces.The tradition is that you trace them. You can make a pattern of paper, cardboard, freezer paper, pattern plastic or sand paper and trace endless pieces on your fabric. You cut them out with a 1/4 inch edge around them.

You can also take a running stitch around the edge and pull it in to turn your applique edge.









But there are some cool alternatives. You can also iron freezer paper  on to your fabric, cut out with your edge allowance and iron it down, with the paper in it.

Inklingo Pattern

Or there's a new product called Inklingo, where you can either print your pattern on paper of some kind or print the fabric itself. This is a real time saver and it ups your accuracy considerably.

From Martingale Press

In the end, you whip stitch the turned over edges invisibly to your top fabric.










It's not fast. But it is especially lovely. And it's probably what your grandmother did. Unless your grandmother was a dyed in the wool machine girl. Yes, they've always been out there. 

Next time we'll explore  applique with embroidery stitches.