Color your free motion quilting for the instant look of applique

Yesterday I used a variety of methods to create our very own custom fabric simply and easily by drawing and coloring on cotton fabric.

For today’s post I’ll free motion quilt a design and then use the FABRIC FUN Fabric Markers to color the design for the appearance of instant applique. Let’s begin.

The correct batting, thread and needles-oh so important

It’s important that you choose a quilt batting that will be thick enough to absorb some of the color from your pens without bleeding through to the back.

I used Soft & Toasty natural cotton quilt batting from Fairfield. This is a low loft cotton batting that has been needled with a light scrim. The scrim adds strength but also helps stop the batting from absorbing too much ink.

I wanted a bit of a puffy appearance to show off the stitching so I used two layers of Soft & Toasty.

For this technique I like to use 50 weight cotton thread for my stitching. It gives a nice outline to the design and is thick enough that I can feel it with my pen to help me stay within the lines. It also acts as a barrier to stop the ink from bleeding.

In today’s samples I used GÜTERMANN 50 weight cotton thread and a SCHMETZ size 11 quilting needle.

The quilting needle pierces the fabric quickly for nice even stitching.

I especially love the look of the GÜTERMANN variegated thread Coffee & Cream as it adds a subtle warmth with just the right amount of light and dark.

To practice my techniques I free motion quilted a simple allover floral design.

Next I added color to the flowers.

Look how beautiful a simple design becomes with a little bit of color.

Because the outline of the design is stitched you really have to look closely to see that this in not an applique.

Next I stitched an improvisational free motion with flowers and leaves.
It’s so much fun to just stitch away without any pre-planning!

If this makes you uncomfortable then just use your favorite marking tool to mark your desired design prior to stitching.

Remember… you can use your FABRIC FUN Fabric Markers to color any type of design.
Animals, birds, buildings and more.

I’m using flowers for my examples because I’m excited for Spring!

Here’s the same design colored for the look of instant applique.

I played with drawn lines, spots and dots, layering colors and different shading techniques.

Don’t forget that your pens each have a thick and a thin tip so you can color large areas or easily work on tiny details.

It’s fun to leave some of the background showing for sparkle or even color outside the lines..

All of the techniques I’ve shown you so far this week can be put to use here.

What a difference color makes to the design!

Store your pens flat between uses for longer lasting life. I’ve done a lot of coloring with mine and they’re still going strong.

Of course you can color more than just the inside of the areas that you quilted. You can color the background too!

I like to leave a little of the background showing through is spots to look like there is light shining through.

You can color your designs completely for solid color if you prefer.

Up to now, I have been showing you how to work with basic white fabric.

For the fifth and final post for the week, l’ll show you how to use our FABRIC FUN Fabric Markers to accent colored fabric for hand or machine applique.

See you then.