How to Appliqué With Fusible Interfacing

Fusible interfacing, used in applique, is ironed to fabric.

Modern heat-fusible interfacing lets you develop your creative potential with appliqué. Although an elaborate fabric pattern can be developed with the iron-on interfacing, start small with a flower pattern on a 12-inch square of muslin fabric when first attempting this method of appliqué. The square can be used for a pillow covering or duplicated for a series of quilt squares for a large or small quilt. A sewing machine or hand-sewn top-stitching of the appliqués is required for added stability.

Things You'll Need

• 1/8 yard print fabric
• 1/8 yard lightweight fusible interfacing
• Iron
• Fabric pencil
• Scissors
• 1/8 yard muslin fabric
• Sewing machine OR
• Needle and thread

Instructions

1. Cut the print fabric and interfacing to measure 12 inches square. Place the bumpy side of the interfacing over the wrong side of the print fabric square and heat set them together with the iron by pressing a hot iron to the interfacing release paper for 20 seconds.

2. Draw flower shapes on the right side of the print fabric with the print pencil. Remove the interfacing-release paper by grabbing a corner and pulling. Cut out the print fabric flowers.

3. Cut the muslin fabric to measure 12 1/2 inches square.

4. Position the print fabric flowers on the muslin square in a decorative pattern. Heat set the flowers to the muslin with the iron by pressing the hot iron to the print fabric for 20 seconds.

5. Hand or machine stitch 1/4 inch around the inside of the print flower edges.

References

• "Appliqué Workshop"; Laurel Anderson; 2010
• "Learn to Appliqué"; Pat Sloan; 2005