QUILTsocial | Issue 03 Spring 2015

Applique
Patterns
Multiple hexagon templates
Tracing the shapes
The Jelly Monster template
The Jelly Pointer template
Q
14 ●
.com spring 2015
UILTsocial
Now that the quilt top is complete or at
least in sections, it’s time to add some
applique to the challenge quilt. To compliment
the rest of the quilt design, I thought
of using the Sew Easy hexagon templates,
very useful and time-saving tools to create
these applique patterns.
Applique shapes
My main shape for the applique is going
to be hexagons. I have a set of hexagon
templates ranging from 1" to 5" in diameter.
I’ll be using all the sizes in a variety of
the Eclectic Elements fabric to be placed
on the open background areas of the quilt
top.
I also have a couple other templates which
I may use for some different shapes.
My favorite applique method is to use
fusible web which, I believe, is the fastest
form of applique. Needle turn is gorgeous
but, I’m afraid, the quilt wouldn’t be ready
until 2020 if I had to use this method for
the applique. I’ll stick to the fusible.
I trace my pieces out on the paper side of
the fusible with a hard leaded pencil because
hard leaded pencil doesn’t smudge
or get lead on your hand. You don’t want
to get pencil marks on the fabric.
When I cut the pieces out, I leave about a
¼" of space around each one. This ensures
the glue of the fusible will come to the
edge of each piece when it’s cut out on
the line and fraying will be prevented.
Following the manufacturer’s directions, I
fuse the pieces to the wrong side of the
fabric. Once in your applique career you’ll
fuse it to the right side of the fabric and
have to start over — it happens to all of us,
don’t worry you’re not the first.
Now, cut out each shape on the pencil
line with a sharp pair of scissors. For these
straight lines, you could use a ruler and
rotary cutter. Doing it that way would
definitely ensure straight even edges on
the applique shapes.
After cutting the shapes out, I position
them on the quilt top. Once I’m happy
with the layout of the pieces, I’ll fuse them
to the quilt top.
Below is a picture of the idea of what I
want to do. Hexagons with lines going out
to other hexagons starting in the middle
of the quilt and moving out to the edge.
That’s a lot of shapes that still need to be
drawn, fused, cut and placed!
Along with the solid hexagon, I also want
to use this hexagon ring. I made it with the
Jelly Monster template. I ended up drawing
the middle section with lines and then
removing the template and cutting along
the lines. This was easier and much more
precise than cutting in the lines on the
template.
I left the quilt top in sections to make it
easier to stitch down the applique pieces
with the Pfaff Creative 4.5. Although with
the design I’m creating with the applique
shapes, I’m thinking that some of the
pieces will have to be appliqued in place
once all the sections are sewn together.
Thank goodness this machine does have a
nice large throat space. It will make it much
easier to sew those few remaining shapes
in place once the quilt top is put together.
Finding a stitch
I know I should be working on the shapes,
but I’ve been side tracked by all the stitches
on the Creative 4.5! Trust me, the library
of stitches is huge. Now, for the hard part
— picking a stitch.