Applique Basics

Baste Method of Applique

The baste method is the method I prefer as I find it easy to do and a great portable project. First you trace your piece onto the RIGHT SIDE of the fabric. Cut piece out leaving about 1/4" all around. Clip around your piece as shown in Figure #1. NOTE: the curved areas you will make the clips closer together. This will help to achieve smooth curves on your finished piece.

Figure #1

When basting down points in applique I first fold down the point and then the two sides of the point. This will give you a sharp point. On narrow points don't worry if a little of the edges stick out on the sides as you can tuck these raw edges under when you applique the piece in place.

Figure #2

Continue to baste around the piece. On inside points be sure to take a stitch right at the inside point when you applique your piece in place.

Figure #3

Freezer Paper Method of Applique

There are many methods for using freezer paper in applique this is just one of them. Cut your pattern pieces to finished size out of freezer paper. With shiny side down iron to right side of fabric as shown, being sure to leave at least 1/4" of fabric around the piece for the turn under allowance. The reason you iron to the right side of the fabric is for pieces that need to be in a certain direction. Ironing to the wrong right will reverse your piece when its finished.

Figure #1

Cut around pattern piece leaving 1/4" all around and clip curves. As in the hand method it is best to clip a little closer on the curves to get a smooth look.

Figure #2

Peel off the freeze paper and turn it over centering it on your fabric piece. Carefully press edges over onto the paper. On the tip just press up the center of the tip. The edges will need to be tucked under when you applique. After all the applique is done you will need to cut a small slit in your block fabric behind the appliqued pieces to remove the freezer paper.

Figure #3

Needle Turn Method of Applique

This can be a time saving technique for doing applique but can be a bit difficult when you have allot of overlapping pieces. You cut out your pieces and clip around just as you would for the clip and baste method but instead of basting under the edges you pin you piece in place on the block and turn under the edges as you applique the piece in place.

Figure #1

Reverse Applique

Reverse applique is a method creating a cut out look. You or course can applique the piece to the top of another but if you want a recessed look to the piece then this is the method to use. As you can see in the figure to the left you are working on the inside of a cut out piece instead of the outside edge.

Figure #1

The underlying fabric is then placed behind this cut out hole and then you applique around the inside edge of the top piece.

Figure #2

To Beginners Page

©Copyright 1997 Graham Enterprises

Baste Method of Applique
	The baste method is the method I prefer as I find it easy to do and a great portable project. First you trace your piece onto the RIGHT SIDE of the fabric. Cut piece out leaving about 1/4" all around. Clip around your piece as shown in Figure #1. NOTE: the curved areas you will make the clips closer together. This will help to achieve smooth curves on your finished piece.
Figure #1
	When basting down points in applique I first fold down the point and then the two sides of the point. This will give you a sharp point. On narrow points don't worry if a little of the edges stick out on the sides as you can tuck these raw edges under when you applique the piece in place.
Figure #2
	Continue to baste around the piece. On inside points be sure to take a stitch right at the inside point when you applique your piece in place.
Figure #3

Freezer Paper Method of Applique
	There are many methods for using freezer paper in applique this is just one of them. Cut your pattern pieces to finished size out of freezer paper. With shiny side down iron to right side of fabric as shown, being sure to leave at least 1/4" of fabric around the piece for the turn under allowance. The reason you iron to the right side of the fabric is for pieces that need to be in a certain direction. Ironing to the wrong right will reverse your piece when its finished.
Figure #1
	Cut around pattern piece leaving 1/4" all around and clip curves. As in the hand method it is best to clip a little closer on the curves to get a smooth look.
Figure #2
	Peel off the freeze paper and turn it over centering it on your fabric piece. Carefully press edges over onto the paper. On the tip just press up the center of the tip. The edges will need to be tucked under when you applique. After all the applique is done you will need to cut a small slit in your block fabric behind the appliqued pieces to remove the freezer paper.
Figure #3

Needle Turn Method of Applique
	This can be a time saving technique for doing applique but can be a bit difficult when you have allot of overlapping pieces. You cut out your pieces and clip around just as you would for the clip and baste method but instead of basting under the edges you pin you piece in place on the block and turn under the edges as you applique the piece in place.
Figure #1

Reverse Applique
	Reverse applique is a method creating a cut out look. You or course can applique the piece to the top of another but if you want a recessed look to the piece then this is the method to use. As you can see in the figure to the left you are working on the inside of a cut out piece instead of the outside edge.
Figure #1
	The underlying fabric is then placed behind this cut out hole and then you applique around the inside edge of the top piece.
Figure #2