How to make applique blocks using the Brother ScanNCut SDX225

When looking at the selection of ScanNCut quilt blocks yesterday you may have noticed the applique blocks. The Brother ScanNCut SDX225 is a quilter’s best friend also when creating applique quilt blocks, and that’s what we’ll look at now!

To prepare fabric for cutting applique pieces, adhere iron-on fabric support material to the wrong side of the applique fabric. I use Brother’s iron-on fabric applique support sheet as this makes applique so easy to cut and adhere to the background fabric. Full instructions for using the applique backing are included in the package for Brother CASTBL1 Iron-On Fabric Applique Contact Sheet.

supplies and materials

• ScanNCut SDX225
• standard tack adhesive mat
• pen holder, and permanent ink pen
• 8½” x 11” piece of white paper
• auto blade holder blade
• Brother Iron-on fabric applique support sheet
• spatula
• Brother sewing machine
• fabric, small pieces for applique and a 7” square of background fabric

Supplies and materials for making applique quilt blocks using Brother ScanNCut SDX225

Let’s make an applique quilt block:

1 Prepare applique fabric by pressing the iron-on fabric support material to the wrong side of each fabric to be cut.

2. At the ScanNCut SDX225 select Pattern from the main screen, scroll to page 2, and select an applique quilt block. Top row right icon. Touch applique icon again and scroll through to designs. Let’s use AP-A043.

Selecting the applique block option on the screen of the Brother ScanNCut SDX225

Applique quilt block AP-A043 option on the screen of the Brother ScanNCut SDX225

3. We can see this block has a default size of 5.78” x 5.78”. Let’s change the default size and make the block 8.00” x 8.00”. Use the + or – key to change block size then touch OK.

4. Select Part A. Follow the on-screen instructions to Add Part B and Part C.

Change block default size option on the screen of the Brother ScanNCut SDX225

Component parts of applique block on the screen of the Brother ScanNCut SDX225

All applique components ready to cut on the screen of the Brother ScanNCut SDX225

5. Grab a Standard Cutting Mat. This time you’ll use a standard cutting mat without the fabric support sheet attached. Load the mat into the ScanNCut.

6. Scan the mat by pressing the Scanning icon on the screen, it’s the middle icon below Edit. Once the design renders on the screen you’ll see the cutting lines of the applique shapes.

7. Position fabric pieces on the mat. You may have to move the cutting line of each applique over the appropriate fabric.

8. Select Cut.

9. You’ve just cut all the pieces of the applique block in one cutting step!

10. Now one more handy step the ScanNCut can help you with. Back on the screen where you selected Parts A, B & C. You may have noticed a line drawing of the finished block.  Select the line drawing. Place plain paper on the standard mat. Insert a permanent marker pen in the pen holder and draw the block. You now have a template for positioning the block pieces. If you’re using light-colored background fabric that you can see through, lay the diagram under the fabric, to assist with perfect fabric placement.

11. Iron applique pieces onto the background fabric.

12. Use your favorite machine stitch to complete your applique block.

Look how beautiful this block is and how fast that was to cut and sew together!

What do you think? I’m sure happy to have all those applique shapes cut quickly and accurately. Bet you can’t wait until tomorrow when I’ll show you how to cut paper pieces for all those hand quilting projects you have been thinking about with of course, the Brother ScanNCut SDX225!

This is part 2 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 1: Brother ScanNCut: a quilter’s BEST friend for making quilt blocks

Go to part 3: Brother ScanNCut makes many paper piecing templates in 1 shot!

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