Creating Turn Edge Applique on Curves

Consider this simple flower shape. When creating applique pieces, there's a huge advantage to using a fusible that doesn't need to be washed away. The fusible is the white you see. The fusible has been cut as per the pattern sheet - that is, it's the true actual size of the applique piece. It's ironed onto the fabric and then the fabric is cut around the fusible shape with a quarter inch seam allowance. It's this allowance that provides us with the lovely edge we want in our pieces. 

When I talk about fusible, I'm pretty much always referring to Floriani Stitch N Wash Fusible. This is my preferred fusible product. It doesn't need to be removed at any stage and after applique, it doesn't bulk out your applique and the quilt can be washed and handled as usual. I'm not associated with Floriani and I don't even get a discount on their products, I have simply found this to be the best fusible for applique so far. I also have trouble finding it outside of the US, so check with your local quilt store and get your hands on as much as you can afford. It can be really irritating to stall a project whilst hunting it down. There may be other products that work just as well as Stitch N Wash, but my location means that I simply don't get access to the large array available to so many North American quilters. I suggest you experiment with as many fusibles as you can to find one that works for you. 

When you cut your fusible shape out with the seam allowance, respect the shape of the applique motif. You'll notice I cut my seam allowance with gentle curves to follow the fusible.With the shape plus seam allowance cut out of the fabric, dab the sides with glue. This is to hold everything into position until you're ready to sew( by machine or hand) your applique into it's position. I often use Elmer's Glue in Disappearing Purple. I find that it doesn't gum up my machine or cause any stitching problems. It also washes away later. There was some talk a few years ago that this glue was so good because it was essentially a starch.. and then it was discovered that it actually wasn't a starch product at all and some quilters went off it. Personally I don't care that it's not a starch, it works fine for applique and washes out easily. If you're one of those quilters who doesn't wash her applique, don't worry about it because you won't end up with a stiff cardboard applique shape anyhow. 

Once you've glued the seam allowance, snip carefully around the fusible shape. Don't snip right up to the fusible white shape or the cut marks will show on the right side. This takes practice and a sharp pair or narrow scissors.

As you clip each side, turn the edges inwards neatly and press down to keep then down in position. As you approach the tip, you need to make smaller, finer cuts and tuck in the excess fabric to create the neat curved edge. This is more than your hands can accomplish alone. You also need an orange stick. The wood is good because it won't break the fibres of your fabric whilst you're manipulating the fabric. You could also use a thick pin to do this work, but be careful of breaking down those fibres.

When I reach tip points that are curved, I neatly pleat the seam allowance as tightly as possible all the way around.

This means that curved points will always look fuller on the wrong side than other parts of the turn edge. After you've created a few, you'll pick up a technique that works for you. I find that pulling the pleats down towards the fusible as tightly as possible and then holding them down until the glue fastens (about a minute) works for me.

 Now to create the top edge of the flower shape. You'll notice that I first snipped the larger area into 3 sections, this will allow me to create 3 x pleat zones, which will give me the neatest result. If I tried to just follow the curve without breaking it down with a snip in the 'dips', the shape would lose it's detail and look overall rounded.

 After snipping your zones, add your glue. It's best to add glue in stages and not all at once so that you can handle the shape cleanly and can use as little glue as possible. If you add your glue too early and take too long to come around to the area, it will dry out quickly.

Next, pleat and turn each area as neatly as you can, pulling the fabric towards the fusible and holding it down.

Whilst still drying, you might want to try rolling your applique to help flatten it. I often beat my applique edges with a small rubber hammer to get them really flat and reduce bulk built up on tight corners. It really works, give it a go.

This is where I ended up using this shape. It's from a block in my quilt design Secret Garden.

I also went on and adding highlighting to this shape for added dimension with a process that is pigment fast and permanent.

 Not bad for a simple applique shape, eh?

Hope: Centre Progress

In the last few years I've really embraced bows in my applique and I have to tell you, I'm still not over this design motif. I'm definitely in a bow mood, I think they're gorgeous. In Hope, I restrained my bows- they're neat and sweet.. but I can still definitely see a hint of Love Always flourish in them.. what do you think?

Here are my flower heads, I'm happy with how the Japanese woven fabrics look on the linen, it's a subtle almost aged look that agrees with me. Originally I had decided on a different colourscheme - much lighter and brighter, but as always, the fabrics changed the mood and I went with what I had.

And I love how they look on the grey background. Originally I had opted for a pale pink background but the grey linen offsets these applique fabrics much better, so I had to adapt.

 How gorgeous is this stripe fabric for the stems??

 And I'm nearly there.. 

Hope is a gorgeous blooming applique design, perfect for beginners. You can start this quilt anytime as a BOM or purchase the pattern outright. Simply click the image to learn more. 

Hope: Flower Heads Applique

 Here are the step by step images of how I put my flower head applique together:

 As usual, I'm using fusible which means I don't need to remove the papers when the shape is complete. 

 I layer the pieces, using small dots of Roxanne Glue to keep everything in place as I work.

 And that's my finished flower head

All lined up and ready for putting together on the centre.

Hope is a gorgeous blooming applique design, perfect for beginners. You can start this quilt anytime as a BOM or purchase the pattern outright. Simply click the image to learn more. 

Hope: Doily Time!

How cute are these centre block doilies? I just love the background stitching touch too

After folding in the crease lines, I simply machine stitched the lines in a matching thread. My contrast on this quilt is this deep burgundy which looks too dark in photos - it's really much nicer in real life.

With the front stitching and applique in position, I then added my frame bits

 These white dots are Roxanne Glue

and this is what the back looks like.

Hope is a gorgeous blooming applique design, perfect for beginners. You can start this quilt anytime as a BOM or purchase the pattern outright. Simply click the image to learn more. 

Starting the Hope Centre

As I make a start on the Hope centre block, I'm falling more and more in love with the texture of the linen backgrounds and Japanese woven fabrics for the applique.

 As always, there's lots of prep work to get done

Although my centre star looks dark in photos, in real life it has a lovely weave that off sets the pale pink linen beautifully 

 My next step is creating these surrounding doilies

I've folded in all the lines and now I'll stitch them down with large stitched to create the background grid look before placing applique over.

And here's my stack of prepped pieces waiting to be placed into position

I can't wait to show you the centre real soon.. 

Hope is a gorgeous blooming applique design, perfect for beginners. You can start this quilt anytime as a BOM or purchase the pattern outright. Simply click the image to learn more. 

BOM 2020: 'Hope' is Launched

'Hope' is an extra special BOM for 2020. It's a heartfelt quilt with a very special purpose; all monies raised by this BOM will be used to fund my daughter's Stage 4 ovarian cancer treatment. 

We've all experienced the low valley's in life. Many of us have been personally touched by cancer. 'Hope' is a quilt that refuses to give up - it's a design of pleasure and happiness.

My BOM last year 'Hold Onto Your Heart' was an applique treasure full of intensity. 'Hope' is an easy quilt, designed to appeal to all skill levels, promising lots of beauty in simplicity - like all the best things in life.

Finished size: 76 x 76 inches.

Where there's life, there's hope.

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'Hope'

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'Hope'

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HOYH: Rose Border Progress

I am so in love with all the roses in Hold Onto Your Heart.

Here are some details from my leaves. This quilt is so intense that I decided to add every kind of flourish I could think of - it just feels right to lavish every last detail with lots of love. I don't know if I have another Hold Onto Your Heart in me, so this one has to be perfect down to every last stitch!

 Of course you don't need to get carried away like me, but sometimes I can't stop myself.

Now for some really interesting progress: the floral border. I just adore every inch of this border and seeing it come together has been really rewarding.

I'm working at my own pace, you can't rush a border like this.

Something that's really surprised me is how much I love my fabric choices - normally I umm and ahh and change my mind half way through a quilt - but not this time. It all feels so right and the longer I work with it, the more it grows on me.

And not forgetting all those rosebuds! Phew there's lots of them.

 I think they're gorgeous!

 I love seeing this border come to life and can't wait to show you my finished masterpiece!

     ' Hold Onto Your Heart' is an applique treasure 

It's a breathtaking quilt full of meaningful symbols and beauty. The floral border is a triumph which offers an additional  pieced option - making it versatile for all skill levels. Perfect for lovers and enthusiasts of applique. Click here to learn more..