How to Applique a Hawaiian Quilt

Floral designs are incorporated into Hawaiian applique quilts.

A traditional Hawaiian quilt features one large needle-turned, floral-style appliqué design surrounded by shadow quilting stitches to give the appliqué greater prominence. Some Hawaiian quilts also feature sew-together quilt blocks that each feature an appliqué design. For your first attempt at needle-turn appliqué, start with a small block that can be bordered with additional fabric for a baby blanket. Solid colored fabrics are generally used in Hawaiian quilts.

Things You'll Need

• Computer paper
• Scissors
• Mylar sheet
• 1/4-yard colored cotton fabric
• 1/4-yard white muslin fabric
• Fabric pencil
• Straight pins
• Quilting needle size 9
• Cotton thread that is the same color as the colored cotton fabric

Instructions

1. Fold the computer paper in half vertically and then fold it in half again horizontally. Draw a quarter circle on the folded paper near the fold point. Draw three, 2-inch long thick stems evenly spaced around the quarter circle edge. Add flower petals to the ends of the stems.

2. Cut out the design with the scissors and unfold the paper, which will be your appliqué design. Repeat step one if necessary to get a design you like.

3. Trace the paper design on the Mylar sheet with a pencil. Cut out the design for a template.

4. Place the template on the colored fabric and trace around it with a fabric pencil. Cut out the appliqué 1/4-inch past the pencil line.

5. Cut a piece of muslin to measure 18-inches square. Pin the appliqué to the center of the muslin square.

6. Thread the needle with 24 inches of cotton thread. Push the edge of the appliqué under with the needle at the pencil line. Secure the appliqué edge with a tiny stitch. Repeat, pushing the edge under and securing the entire appliqué to the muslin with tiny stitches.

7. Sew the muslin square to other Hawaiian applique squares to make a complete quilt top, which is layered with batting and backing and hand stitched together by the same process used in traditional patchwork quilts.

References

• “Quilts A to Z”; Linda Causee; 2006
• “ Quilting for Fun!”; Dana Meachen Rau; 2008