Last fall, we presented a step-by-step guide to fusible applique and highlighted four edge-finishing techniques including an invisible zigzag stitch, blanket stitch, satin stitch, and tulle with a couched cord. The sample block we used is called Crazy Daisy and it has a rather unique setting. It looks like it might be difficult to sew those curved seams, but in fact it’s very easy to do with applique! Here’s how applique the very cheery Crazy Daisy quilt block.
For a 12″ finished block, begin with an 11″ square of a black print fabric. This is the fabric that appears as rounded corners in the block.
Sew a strip of green background fabric 1 1/4″ x 11″ to each side of the black print square. Sew a strip of green background fabric 1 1/4″ x 12 1/2″ to the top and bottom of the black print square.
To complete the background, applique an 11″ circle of green fabric in the center of the block.
For fusible applique, draw an 11″ circle onto the paper side of fusible web. To prevent the background fabric from feeling too stiff, cut out the inside of the circle about a quarter-inch from the traced line on the fusible web. Position the fusible web circle, paper side up, on the wrong side of the green fabric and press. Cut the circle from the fabric, following the marked lines on the fusible web.
Remove the paper backing from the fusible web. Center the circle on the pieced background and press. Cover the raw edges with your favorite edge-finishing technique.
For turned-edge applique, you will need to add a seam allowance to the 11″ circle. You can do this by drawing an 11″ circle on the right side of the green fabric using a removable marker, and cutting out the circle 1/4″ outside the marked line. Center the circle on the pieced background and use the marked line as a guide to turn under the seam allowance and stitch it to the background.
You could use the needle-turn or freezer-paper method oryou might like to try a new method that is taking the quilt world by storm. It’s called Apliquick and instructions for using this method are described in another post. Or come back tomorrow when we’ll begin a two-part tutorial on the Apliquick method for turned-edge applique.
You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to achieve outstanding results with these innovative new tools when working on quilt blocks like the Crazy Daisy quilt block!
