Thursday, April 26, 2012

Flower Power Applique

I've definitely got my girly groove on this week, as I play with pretty applique flowers and leaves...


Wanting to make a completely fun piece that celebrated the return of Spring, I decided to make an appliqued flower table runner.


There are so many ways to do applique, from needle-turned to raw edge to fusible cut-outs, (just to name some) but for this piece I decided to use the freezer paper method. I suppose there are lots of versions to using freezer paper in applique, but for anyone unfamiliar with it, this is how I do it... 


First make a template of the shape from card-stock. Then, simply trace around the template onto the dull side of freezer paper and cut the shape out. Iron the shiny side of the freezer paper to the back of your fabric and cut it out adding a 1/4" allowance of fabric.



Turn the 1/4" allowance to the back, (clip curves if need be) and tack it down using matching thread and very tiny stitches placed as close to the folded edge as possible. Press each shape with a hot iron and remove the paper. Press again for good measure. A bit of spray starch can also come in handy in keeping everything crisp and nice.


Here are some flowers and leaves all ready to go!


I've gotten everything stitched and quilted, now I just need to bind it and wash it, (I like to wash most of my finished pieces to enhance the quilting texture). Of course, once It's finished I'll come back and show you the whole runner! 

~~~~~~~~~~~

9/15/14 - Please Note: Hello! This post was done back in April of 2012. It is now over 2 years later and I've just been made aware that it is now listed and linked on the Free Quilt Patterns website here 
where it is indicated that you can find a free pattern to this project on my blog. 
This is incorrect. 
Please be aware that I have never offered a free pattern to this project and am confused as to why it is being listed as such on the Free Quilt Pattern website. This post was strictly about how to make easy appliquéd motifs, (any motifs... I just happened to be using flowers and leaves) using freezer paper. Unfortunately, because of the Free Quilt Pattern website listing, some of you are coming here expecting a pattern, and leaving, (understandably) confused. Although I don't offer the templates to the appliquéd shapes or a pattern, you can still easily make your own, (the shapes are basic and easy to draw) and then use my freezer technique tutorial outlined in this post. 

My apologies for any confusion that the Free Quilt Patterns website caused you. I think that their intentions were good and they meant well, but they unfortunately didn't do their homework in checking this post and contacting me, before sending you in search of a pattern that doesn't exist. However, while you are here, I hope that you will look around and come back again. Also, please know that you can find other free tutorials along the top bar on my blog, under "Tutorials", as well as a link to my original patterns that I do sell in my Etsy shop.

Best wishes,
Victoria

PS. Just to put any other confusion to rest... I used to SELL this table runner and placemat pattern in my Etsy shop, but it is no longer available, as due to a computer crash, some of the original files were lost. But again, the pattern was never offered for free.

34 comments:

Leslie said...

that is such amazing tiny, perfect quilting....wow!

Carolyn S. said...

Thanks for the technique, I've never done applique before. I might try it out. You do love your Grunge fabrics. I like them a lot as well.

dutchcomfort said...

I love your modern improv pieces, but I really enjoy seeing you are revisiting all sorts of quilting techniques. Your appliqued shapes and quilting are beautiful!

Amy said...

Wow! Your quilting stitches are so beautiful! I'd show lots of close-ups of mine too if it looked like yours. Can't wait to see the finished project.

Amy said...

I'm also really liking how your commenters avatars all coordinate (so far anyhow!). :)

Candied Fabrics said...

ooh, so pretty! I love the quilting in the center of the flowers!

Kim said...

Beautiful! Then the pieces are all ready to machine applique? I prepare my pieces the same way but then just hand applique.....your stitches look so lovely, even and perfectly placed. Can't wait to see the finished runner.

Happy Sewing

Kit Lang said...

that looks great and thanks for the tute! I didn't know this method!

em's scrapbag said...

Very springy. Love all your quilting. Really a beautiful piece.

Nifty Quilts said...

I like your freezer paper method--taking the paper out before sewing the flower on. Thanks! Pretty piece too.

Esch House Quilts said...

Thanks for sharing your method. Love the grunge fabrics and the quilting on the applique pieces.

shellysquilts said...

Hey Victoria, Beautifully done! (As always.) I wash everything once I'm done too. It makes the quilting sing! Have a great weekend!

GerryART said...

I use this method also.
Love your colors for Spring!
hugs

Kati from Kati's Quilting said...

The quilt looks adorable! I love the applique and the shared technique, I've never tried it before so separate thanks for that! :) Can't wait to see the washed product!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Gorgeous appliqué and I love the quilting!

Diane J. Evans said...

Your machine quilting is luscious -- I think your "girlie" side is as talented as all your OTHER sides. This looks like it was such fun to create.

Diane

Sarah said...

Hi Victoria, I was just wondering at what point in the process you remove the freezer paper and also, whether you leave the tacking stitches in when you appliqué the piece down. Cheers Sarah

Victoria said...

Thanks everyone for your nice comments, as always much appreciated!

Kim, yes, the pieces are all ready to be either machine or hand appliqued down.

Sarah, I remove the freezer paper after the final pressing... then the pieces are ready to be appliqued down. The very tiny basting stitches are done right at the very edge, so often they don't even catch the freezer paper, making it very easy to remove. (The freezer paper really just acts as a template to form the fabric shape around, it's amazing how easy the fabric folds right at the paper's edge.)

And yes, I keep those tiny stitches in when I machine applique, as they are barely noticeable. For hand applique I sometimes leave them in and sometimes take them out as I go along. If I know in advance that I will be taking them out, I'll make them larger so I can remove them easier.

Corinnea said...

So spring, so pretty. You always inspire!

ozjane said...

Looking good...I have some whisper fuse 'stuff' that is new to try out and am tempted to do something a bit like yours but raw edge....need to start sewing something after an inspirational workshop that our group did last week...or that ones that had the energy to take machines did.

Pippa said...

Gorgeous! I've never done this kind of applique-- I love how you added those decorative stitches around the edges.

stitchinglife said...

Interesting method; the flowers look lovely.

Mavi. said...

Que bonito.

gothic victorian dresses said...

These are so beautiful!
Great inspiration!

Unknown said...

Good instru tions ! I go
to make

Karen said...

Beautiful work! I only wish that I could do such a nice job with my quilting!

Thanks for sharing.

Victoria said...

Thanks so much! (And some projects, like this one, turn out better then others... I still can mess up on my quilting!)

RoseMary said...

Love applique, would love to make your runner.
but I can't seem to find the patterns for the flowers and leaves.
Thank You

RoseMary said...

Love applique, would love to make your runner.
but I can't seem to find the patterns for the flowers and leaves.
Thank You

Victoria said...

Hello Rosemary and any others looking for a free template and pattern to this project as listed on the Free Quilt Patterns web site. Please know that I just became aware that this post was listed on their site. Also, please know that this post was only a quick tutorial in using freezer paper to make easy appliquéd shapes... any shape... I just happened to be making leaves and flowers!

I never offered a free pattern to this project, and am confused as to why the Free Quilt Patterns website is indicating that one can be found here. I used to SELL this table runner and placemat pattern in my Etsy shop, but it is no longer available, and due to a computer crash, some of the original files were lost.

However, I encourage anyone interested in making a similar project to simply draw their own flowers and leaves, making your own templates, (the shapes are pretty simple!) and then use the freezer paper technique explained in this post to make your appliqué shapes.

Best wishes,
Victoria

Karin Nel said...

Thank you for your lovely tutorial. It is easy to follow. Thank you for inspiring me to use this technique. Greetings

josieness said...

Merci pour ce tuto

Caroline said...

Good information. What temperature setting do I use on my iron? And how long do I press the freezer paper? Thank you

Victoria said...

Hi Caroline, a cotton setting should be fine and I just press for a few seconds. You can always test it out on some scrap fabric first if you wish!