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Sewing an Applique on a Quilt Square

Add a special touch to your quilt square with an applique. When the design you want can't be pieced, use an applique to add any shape you desire. Attractive appliques have even, finished edges. Finish the edges with a seam line for an applique that can be attached to the square with no further finishing. This method works well with a lightweight woven fabric. You can draw the pattern for you applique freehand, trace a picture or use a commercial pattern.

Things You'll Need

Applique pattern
Fabric
Scissors
Straight pins
Sewing machine
Thread
Chopstick
Iron

Instructions

- 1
  Add 1/4 inch for seam allowances to your pattern, if you drew or traced it yourself. Commercial patterns usually have the seam allowance added already.
- 2
  Fold the fabric with the right sides on the inside. Pin the pattern to the folded fabric and cut two pieces of fabric for the applique. Place a straight pin in the middle to hold the pieces together, keeping the right sides of the pieces on the inside of the stack.
- 3
  Stitch 1/4 inch from the edge of the pieces with a straight stitch and a short stitch length. Sew slowly, keeping the needle exactly 1/4 inch from the edge. Remove the pin.
- 4
  Clip the seam allowances every 1/8 inch around all the curves. Clip perpendicular to the seam, cutting close to the seam but not through it. The seam allowance is the fabric that extends beyond the edge of the seam.
- 5
  Cut a 1-inch opening in the center of the back of the applique and turn the piece right side out by pushing it through this opening. Use a chopstick to gently push all the edges of the piece out as far as they will go. Iron the piece flat.
- 6
  Sew the applique to the quilt piece by stitching all the way around it with a straight stitch, 1/8 inch from the edge.

Sewing