How to use Sulky Paper Solvy to make appliques

The Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch used for the basket made in yesterday’s post, helped to keep it stable.

Today, I’m happy to discuss Paper Solvy by Sulky. It’s another product in the long line of Sulky products that’s so lovely to work with.

Paper Solvy is lovely to work with because it’s a water soluble stabilizer that you can use as a foundation or stabilizer and it dissolves quickly in water, making it so useful for applique because it disappears and leaves no bulk behind the fabric. Paper Solvy also comes in 8½” x 11″ sheets making it very printer friendly.

Paper Solvy is also great for:

• paper foundation piecing
• quilting templates
• heirloom work
• quilt patterns
• thread sketching
• hand embroidery
• and so much more!

Today I’m appliqueing circles in an effort to show you how it works.

materials required to make a circle applique

• 6″ x 6″ cotton  background fabric
• 4″ x 4″ cotton circle fabric
• 4″ x 4″ piece of Sulky Paper Solvy 
• a printer
• a pencil
• thread to match the applique circle
• blanket stitch on your sewing machine (or applique stitch or your choice)
• bowl of water
• towel
• iron

• Cut out a 3″ circle , leave a 1/4″ seam allowance around the perimeter.

• Use the Paper Solvy as a template to cut out a 3″ circle from fabric.

• Lay the print side up of the Paper Solvy on top of the right side of the fabric, pin and sew on the printed line.

• Pull the circle fabric away from the Paper Solvy and cut a slit in the center of the Paper Solvy about 2″ wide as shown.

• Carefully, turn the circle fabric to the right side through the slit in the paper, finger press the seam as you turn the circle to the right side and press with an iron once it’s completely turned out.

• Audition your circle in the center of the background fabric and pin in place ready for applique stitches.

• Blanket stitch all around your circle with matching thread.

• Pull the backing fabric away from the applique and cut away the excess backing fabric and excess Paper Solvy about ¼” from the back edge of the applique.

• Fill a small bowl halfway with warm water and immerse your applique circle square in the water for about 10 minutes. Rub the fabric with your fingers and you can feel the Paper Solvy sloughing away like magic.
• Rinse with cold water, wring out and lay flat on a towel to dry completely. The Paper Solvy will be completely gone.
• Iron once completely dry (wet fibers stretch so it’s important to allow it to dry).

Now you have a competed applique with no bulky fabric on the back and the look of hand applique. Paper Solvy is a paper miracle, it literally dissolves completely leaving a gorgeous applique behind.

A project idea? How about making a mini quilt or mug rug to practice with this easy applique method. Check out the photo below:

I encourage you to give Paper Solvy a try and use it for appliques. To purchase this product, ask at your local sewing or quilt store. Stay tuned tomorrow for an English paper piecing/applique demonstration using Paper Solvy. Just imagine not having to remove any papers after doing the hand sewing! A sweet product making English Paper Piecing “sew” easy.