Hip, hip hooray – it’s applique day!! by Christine Baker October 30, 2014 written by Christine Baker October 30, 2014 906 Now that we have our table runners all quilted, it’s time to prepare our applique shapes so that we can try out our new couching skills!! First thing we need to do is trace the leaf shape below onto the paper side of your fusible web three times. Leave about ½” between each of the shapes. Trimming and ironing your applique shapes Cut apart your three fusible web leaf shapes (leaving about ¼” around the shape) and iron them to the back of the three fabrics you chose for your leaves. Wonder under shape ironed to back of leaf fabric Once the shapes are cool, cut out the shapes along the drawn lines and peel off the paper backing. Cutting the applique shapes Arrange and stitch Lay your fabric leaf shapes onto your quilted table runner and move them around until you like the arrangement. Iron them in place, following the fusible web’s manufacturer’s directions. Placing the applique shapes on the quilt top Getting ready to stitch Now that your shapes are secured, you need to decide which threads you will use to stitch them down. Instead of using a blanket stitch on the edges, we are going to couch some Dazzle threads along each raw edge to secure and embellish the leaf applique. For my first green leaf I decided to do two threads of green Dazzle couched with the black and white variegated Mirage thread. I’ve still got the Deco-Bob in the bobbin. I tied the two green threads together with a knot and then laid them along the edge of the leaf. Like with the stitch-outs I held all of the thread ends (Mirage, Dazzle and Deco-Bob) in my left hand while I used a short straight stitch to secure the beginning of my stitching. Now we are going to zig zag over the Dazzle thread along the edge of the applique until we get to a point. Placing the threads on the edge of the applique shape Let’s get right to the point If your machine has a needle down position, make sure that you are using it. When you get to the tip of the leaf, put your needle down on the edge of the appliqué shape, raise your foot and turn your table runner around on the bed of the machine. Have the Dazzle thread go around the BACK of the needle and put your foot back down again. Start stitching and the point of your appliqué shape should still look nice and sharp. Do this on all of the points of the leaf. Turning the corners – Dazzle thread is wrapped around the BACK of the needle How to end your stitching As you approach the spot when you started your couching stitches, pull the knotted end of the Dazzle threads to the side and keep stitching until you have just covered the stitches at the beginning. Stitching the end of the couched threads Use a short straight stitch to go forwards and back a couple times to secure the thread ends and them removed the table runner from the machine. Using small, sharp scissors trim away the excess threads from the top and back of the table runner. Repeat this same process to secure the other two appliqué shapes. Clipping the thread ends Closeup of the joined ends Our next steps Tomorrow we will finish up our table runner by trimming and binding, but for today just step back and enjoy your machine applique successes! Print this page or save as a PDF appliquedazzle threadfree patternfusible appliquefusible webmirage threadsquiltingtable runnertablerunnerwonderfilwonderfil threadwonderfil threads FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail Christine Baker I have been designing and publishing quilt patterns for the last 16 years under the business name Fairfield Road Designs. My patterns range from fusible applique and piecing to felted wool applique and punchneedle. You can see all of patterns on my website www.fairfieldroaddesigns.com. previous post Quilting a Fall Table Runner next post Do You Know How to Bind a Quilt? YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... Why DecoBob isn’t your average bobbin thread Use Silco thread to add more punch to... When your quilting calls for threads to be... 1 foolproof method for perfect, smooth and clean... Why WonderFil Tutti thread is so good for... How Accent, Mirage and Spagetti threads highlight appliqued... 1 easy way to add a quilt binding,... Using combinations of 100wt, 80wt, 50wt, 12wt threads... Why using Invisafil thread is best for adding... 1 comment Michele T January 13, 2017 - 12:04 pm This is so lovely!!! I am searching for a perfect gift idea for my aunt who is celebrating 85 years next month and I think I found something that she would love!! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.