Hand applique is not exactly new to me. I have done traditional needleturn applique before, where one just turns under the seam allowance of your piece as you go. No special preparation required. All you need are pins and your needle and thread.
The freezer paper/starch method of applique is so popular these days, and so many people who are really experienced with applique seem to favor it. I have been wanting to learn this method for ages and never seem to be able to attend any classes. I shared with you last week the Henrietta Whiskers pattern that I would love to do some day, and thought to myself that before I jump headfirst into something that advanced, maybe I should do a simpler project or two.
It would be lovely if you want to follow along with me this week and see how I progressed with trying to teach myself this method of applique. WARNING: My posts this week are in no way meant to be a tutorial. For all I know, I am doing the entire thing wrong! My hope is that you will learn with me from my mistakes. Most of all, I am hoping you applique gurus out there will contribute your instructional comments. We novices could all greatly benefit from your expertise!
It all started with the book pictured above, which I picked up at my local Beverly's. It is by Debbie Mumm, who is known for her simple kind of folk artsy designs. There are a number of adorable projects in the book, including a patchwork pattern featuring apples which I may do as a companion piece to the applique project I found. Here is the project I found in the book that I thought could be my applique "learner" project:
The project needed tweaking for me. First of all, I don't do wall hangings, which this is. I thought the shape was right for a table runner, especially if I orient the apples a bit differently. Pretty cute, huh? Wouldn't that apple also be cute appliqued onto a simple butcher style apron?
I had my usual fun raiding my stash bins, and picking out the fabrics I wanted to use. Reds and greens, black and gold. The fabrics are a bit rumpled looking prior to being ironed. I really need to find a better method for storing my smaller scrap pieces.
I went to work preparing my background piece and now I am ready to go with the applique.
Check back with me this week for the next installments in my learning process with freezer paper/starch applique! I had my share of issues and can't wait to have you all weigh in with your tips. We will all be able to learn more about applique from the comments I hope to get from those of you who know what you are doing!
Cute pattern, great fabrics, and interesting idea. I've never done this type applique so will be learning along with you.
I love wall hangings as they can easily be changed seasonally and I don't have huge walls on which to hang quilts. We also have 2 cats and I don't want the cats to hang on the quilts either!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | June 06, 2011 at 05:27 AM
Looking forward to the end result. As soon as I saw the pic I could envision it with one stack of apples going one direction and the other reversed; especially for a table runner.Love your color choices.
Posted by: Wendy | June 06, 2011 at 05:56 AM
Good luck and have fun with your new applique adventure! I am an applique addict, but my method of choice is back-basting applique. It is needleturn and the prep work is the back-basting. I learned to do it by watching a couple of videos online and I expect you can also find videos on the freezer paper/starch method for extra help too! Relax and enjoy yourself - it's a learning process!!!
Posted by: di | June 06, 2011 at 06:23 AM
Did you see that block Six came out over the weekend?
While I was over at Bunny Hill grabbing the new installment I found that Anne mentioned the starch method in a tutorial of Machine Applique. She recommended a DVD by Pearl Pereira. I had heard of this DVD (another blog also recommended it) but have not bought it. I think I might break down and buy it to see what the hoopla is about.
Posted by: Sandy | June 06, 2011 at 07:08 AM
Sounds like you have a winner of an idea making it into a table runner. I will look forward to seeing the progress on this project. I have only done a small amount of applique, which consisted of slapping the fabric piece down and carefully zig-zagging around it. Very beginner stuff.
Posted by: sillysally | June 06, 2011 at 07:27 AM
I love Debbie Mumm! Hope you have a great time learning and I'm looking forward to watching your progress. I've been teaching a class on applique. I really like the needle turn technique the best. It allows for more creativity and less prep time. I'm teaching a class on Sunbonnet Sue this weekend. Have fun.
Posted by: Deborah | June 06, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Good project to start with, Nicole. There are so many ways and techniques out there in ways to do applique. Erin Russek from One Piece at a Time (blog) does a starch technique you may want to look at. She has many tutorials on this technique on her blog. I don't like the starch technique as I find it makes the fabric too stiff and hard to get the needle thru - but that is just my opinion. Erin also posts a free pattern on a quilt she is now working on that you may want to download for a future project. I prefer the simple freezer paper on top, draw around the paper, cut out with a small allowance and needle turn. Not much prep time to it which is why I guess I like it. I also use an overlay. I do that as then there are no lines on your background fabric. You may want to chat with Thelma about this technique as she is using it on her Evening Bloom. I love to piece but find the hand applique relaxing. Have fun with your project!!
Posted by: Marianne | June 06, 2011 at 08:04 AM
Have fun with this Nicole! I've taken classes on this technique and it is fun - and easy. I haven't done it for a while and you are making me want to dust off my needles and jump in! One thing I would recommend is to go on over to Bunny Hill. At the top of her blog is a link to tutorials and check out her tutorial on applique.
Posted by: Jean | June 06, 2011 at 09:21 AM
I love applique, it's my favorite type of work. I have been using freezer paper, You reverse the shape, draw it on the paper side of freezer paper, and cut on the line, iron to the back of the fabric, cut fabric shape with your 3/8 - 1/4 seam allowance, baste this edge over and you are ready to applique. HOWEVER, I just took a Gwen Marston class and all this just seems so labor intensive now that I've been through a day with Gwen. Needle turn, it's all you need!
Posted by: Sharon | June 06, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Can't say I know what I'm doing since I've only been doing it (by hand) since the fall. But one person I've been following and who does have info on the freezer paper technique (admittedly a technique I've also not tried yet) and pretty much all things applique is Kay McKenzie at "All About Applique" (http://www.allaboutapplique.net).
Lot of useful info there.
Posted by: Vivian | June 06, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Obviously, great minds think alike...I was just getting ready to start an applique project with freezer paper and starch...I think it was the blog mentioned above and a great quilt featured on someone else's blog that sparked my interest. I hope to get to practicing this week, so I'll be following your blog to see how it goes. I really want a hand-sewing project to take with me this summer.
Posted by: tjesa | June 06, 2011 at 02:25 PM
What a great topic and what I expect to be an interesting week. I can hardly wait to learn more about this method and to see what sort of "fun" you have with it .
Posted by: Thelma | June 06, 2011 at 02:43 PM
I took at class recently from Sandra Leichner in needle turn applique at Alisomar and it was a lot of fun. I really like her method.
Laura T
Posted by: Laura Tawney | June 06, 2011 at 06:22 PM
Cute project! I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about the starch method. I use freezer paper, but I use Kim Diehl's method. I just stitch the pieces on by hand instead of by machine.
Posted by: Kim | June 06, 2011 at 06:22 PM
Oh Nicole, you will generate much good buzz with this and I can't wait to read it all! Your comments todays are very educational, too!
Cheers1
Posted by: Candace | June 06, 2011 at 06:22 PM
How fun! I'm really going to enjoy watching your progress! I'm all about the freezer paper method!!
Posted by: Linda | June 06, 2011 at 07:54 PM
Bless your heart, with all that happened, the iron thingy melting, and other little hitches, I think I would have tossed the entire thing. I love your instructions, so clear, and HONEST!! I have asked those questions so many times, maybe we'll get answers someday. In the meantime, keep plugging away...
Posted by: Dianne Mitzel | June 09, 2011 at 03:15 PM