How to Quilt Applique Blocks

Applique quilting can also be used on Christmas stockings, pillows and other cloth crafts.

Applique is a quilting technique in which small pieces of fabric are sewn on top of a larger piece of fabric, or the base quilt block, to form a design. Applique allows quilters to create a more detailed design than piecework, including pieces with curved edges. The applique pieces should be sewn on, and the quilt blocks sewn together, batted and backed before quilting. When quilting the blocks, work to accentuate the shape of the applique with your quilting stitches.

Things You'll Need

• Cut applique pieces
• Quilt blocks
• Batting
• Backing material
• Quilting hoop
• quilting needle
• White thread

Instructions

1. Cut out the pieces for your applique according to the pattern. An applique quilt can be one large design, or multiple small blocks sewn together. Patterns can be found online or in books like "The Ultimate Applique Guidebook."

2. Turn under a quarter inch around each piece and iron it down. This will make it easier to sew the pieces on.

3. Sew the applique pieces on to the top of your block according to the pattern. First, pin each piece down to the block. This will allow you to see the block assembled before anything is permanently stitched down.Then hand stitch around each piece to sew them in place.

4. Sew the finished blocks together to create your quilt top. Make sure that the edges match exactly so that the finished top is nice and square.

5. Stack the quilt top, batting, and backing material one on top of the other to form the quilt. Use quilters pins to tack the three layers together so they will not shift while you are working with them.

6. Put the center square of the quilt inside the quilting hoop. Stretch the material inside the hoop so that it is taunt, like the top of a drum.

7. Select a design for your quilting and sketch it out on paper. This will let you see what the finished block will look like before you make any stitches in the quilt, and will serve as a guide.

8. Hand stitch around the appliqued pieces first. These are central to the quilt design, and will make the shape of the applique look 3D. Take your time and make small, even stitches for the best appearance.

9. Work inside the applique first, and then outside the applique in the white space, completing the quilting for the center block.

10. Move your hoop, working each quilt block. Work from the center out to the edges of your quilt.

11. Work a border around the outer edge of the quilt last. This will connect all the blocks, making it look like a uniform whole, a complete and finished product.

12. Bind the edges with quilt binding. This can be sewn by hand or machine.

References

• "The Ultimate Applique Guidebook: Machine Techniques, History, Step-by-step Instructions, Keys to Design & Inspiration"; Annie Smith; 2010
• "Machine Embroidered Quilting and Appliqué: Simple Steps for Revolutionary Results"; Eileen Roche; 2011
• " The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quilting -Illustrated"; Laura Ehrlich; 2004
• "Quilter's World"; Quilting Around The Appliqué Block; April 2011