How to Turn Needle for Applique

Knowing turn needle appliqué gives you the ability to add a little punch to old clothes, decorate new ones or finish off an original creation. With a little patience and practice, you can become a turn needle pro.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Freezer paper
• A traceable design for the appliqué
• Iron
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Appliqué fabric
• Background fabric
• Appliqué pins
• Appliqué needle
• Thread that matches the appliqué fabric

1. Trace the design that you desire to appliqué on the dull side of a piece of freezer paper and cut it out to give you a template.

2. Position the fabric that you want to use for the appliqué with the right side facing up and lay the freezer paper template shiny side down on the appliqué fabric. Iron the freezer paper to the fabric and cut around the freezer paper leaving a ¼" seam allowance

3. Place the background fabric with the right side facing up and arrange the appliqué piece on it with the freezer paper facing up. Secure it to the background with appliqué pins.

4. Cut a piece of thread long enough to sew around the appliqué piece and thread the needle. Start on a straight edge and turn a ½ to 1 inch section of the appliqué's seam allowance under using the tip of the needle.

5. Take the first stitch at the beginning of where you folded the seam allowance under by coming up with the needle from the underside and barely catching the folded edge of the appliqué.

6. Insert the needle through the background fabric where the previous stitch came out. Exit the fabric approximately 1/8- inch farther this time and catch the folded edge of the appliqué when you come out.

7. Continue turning small sections under with the needle and stitch along as indicated in Step 6. Remove the freezer paper by merely peeling it up.

Tips & Warnings

• Use scissors to clip into the seam allowance on appliqué pieces with curves, going from the outer edge of the seam allowance to the freezer paper. Clip as many of these sections as necessary (short distances apart) so that the fabric will turn under easier when navigating these curved areas.
• Check out websites like Quilters Cache and Quilting Works to get more ideas for your creation.
• Be careful not to burn yourself with the iron. It's especially easy to do when ironing the freezer paper onto small appliqué pieces.
• Use a thimble to prevent the sharp needle from poking you.