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How to use Sulky Paper Solvy to make appliques

by Robin Bogaert

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 package – 12 (8½” x 11″) sheets

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
Note: You could easily make a whole circle quilt with this method, but let’s try a small circle sample first. I know you’ll love this method.
sewing instructions
  • Download circle designs from Word, the internet or graphics software of your choosing. Make sure you have a 3″ circle and some others of different sizes to fill the 8½” x 11″ Paper Solvy sheet and so as not to waste any of it.
  • Draw or trace circles on the Paper Solvy with a pencil if you are not computer savvy.

Circles printed from Word shapes on Paper Solvy by Sulky.

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

3″ circle cut from Paper Solvy.

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

Fabric circle cut out.

  • 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.

Sewing on the printed line through the Paper Solvy and the fabric.

Printed line is sewn.

  • 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.

2″ slit cut in the center of the Paper Solvy

  • 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.

Ironing the fabric and Paper Solvy circle.

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

Centering the circle of fabric and Paper Solvy.

  • Blanket stitch all around your circle with matching thread.

Blanket stitch around the circle.

  • 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.

Pulling backing fabric and Paper Solvy away from the applique.

Cutting backing fabric and Paper Solvy away from the applique.

Cut away completed on the back.

  • 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).

Fabric applique immersed in water.

Fabric applique drying on a towel.

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:

Modern mini circle quilt.
via: quiltingintheloft.com

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.

This is part 3 of 5 in this series.
Go back to part 2: Finishing a craft basket with Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch for stability

Go to part 4: Making easy work of English Paper Piecing with Sulky Paper Solvy

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4 comments

Linda Williamson July 15, 2019 - 8:12 am

Love this idea. Can you leave it in and wash it out in the washing machine when the project is completed?

Reply
Robin Bogaert July 16, 2019 - 11:00 am

Yes absolutely you can do wash when the project is completed! That is one of the beauties of it. Enjoy

Reply
Judy Mills June 27, 2019 - 6:31 am

I want to try that! I’m going to make a baby quilt that has circles

Reply
Robin Bogaert June 29, 2019 - 10:00 pm

We would love to see your quilt when it’s done! Have fun.

Reply

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