How metallic thread Spotlite enhances free motion applique

Are you excited yet about using WonderFil’s metallic thread Spotlite? This week I’ve shared some tips for using this thread on your domestic and longarm machines to quilt. I’ve shown you how I combine the metallic with variegated threads for added sparkle and how to use the metallic threads to literally add bling to a fabric panel.

I’ll finish the week with a single thread. Using the metallic thread, Spotlite, to show you how I create quick and easy, small quilted wallhangings. I’m using this adorable acorn example…

Last month I shared a number of placemat projects to make using WonderFil’s seasons thread packs. Some of these thread packs have a little surprise! Each of the seasons thread packs come with 8 or 9 spools of rayon thread AND 1 or 2 spools of metallic thread! So you get to try a small spools of metallic and fall in love!

The Pumpkin pack has Green, MT8867 and Nutty Brown, MT8839.  Second from the right in both rows in the image below.

I’m working on a small applique project and found that black thread would be too harsh, but the Nutty Brown in the Pumpkin thread pack is just perfect!

Applique is simply securing pieces of fabric onto another with either glue or stitches.

To complete these quilts I use a simple free motion straight stitch to applique the pieces in place.

I start by cutting 8″ squares of block fabrics, 1½” sashing strips and 3″ border fabrics. These are recently snow dyed fabrics and say “fall” to me.

I layer my quilt top with a medium weight batting and use DecoBob to quilt in the ditch along the edges of the sashing.

I trim the quilt and add the binding. My little quilt is done….not quite.

I spend a lot of time on the internet when I’m starting a project. I’ll save ideas to Pinterest and often review my saved pins when I need a boost of inspiration. I found some images for acorns and leaves, and since I like the acorns as they are, I traced the units to the paper side of fusible web. I can’t find a leaf pattern I like so I draw out my own. I used some of my hand dyed fabrics for the appliques.

I arrange an acorn in each block, spread the leaves around the entire quilt and press them in place with a hot iron. This quilted wallhanging won’t be washed so I simply need to use a straight stitch to secure the appliques in place. I drop the feed dogs on the sewing machine and use a darning or free motion foot and stitch close to the edges of the applique.

Stitching close to the edge of the applique helps to secure the pieces to the quilt. Adding some veins to the leaves and cross hatching to the top of the acorn adds more realism to the entire project.

Each of the leaves and acorn appliques are stitched with a free motion straight stitch through all layers of the quilt.

I made sure I sew very slowly for two reasons.

1. I used a fusible web to glue the applique pieces to the quilt. The glue on some fusible webs can melt and gum up the needle and cause the thread to catch or stick to the needle. I have to be careful. My advice is to test out the various fusible webs that are available on the market and see which one you like the best. In this project I used 2 fusible webs. One works better than the other.
2. I want to make sure I have long stitches so that the light reflects on the strands of metallic thread. A slower stitching speed allows me to sew with a slightly longer stitch length.

This has been a fun week of stitching with WonderFil’s metallic thread, Spotlite. At the beginning of the week I shared tips for free motion quilting on a domestic sewing machine and a longarm machine. I showed some of my quilting projects including combining Spotlite with variegated polyester and used Spotlite to quilt a beautiful wallhanging for Christmas and finally an applique project for the fall.

I think I’ve shown you how versatile Spotlite is in a variety of quilting projects. It adds shine and sparkle to any project! Give it a whirl!