BLOOM Sew Simple Shapes - Traditional Hand Applique Method Tutorial!

Hi there!!!

Today I'll be talking about appliquéing by hand...

using my Sew Simple Shapes

Yesterday I posted a tutorial about

using them with the iron-on appliqué method.

CLICK HERE

if you want to see that tutorial:)

I'm so excited that my 

BLOOM 

Sew Simple Shapes

 are finally here and

 available to play with!

I love appliqué and I have found 

over the years that 

some think it can be hard

and so they are afraid to try it.

Because of this...

 I decided to design a line of shapes

to use for appliqué so that 

I can show you how 

easy and fun it really is!

Appliqué can add so much 

to your sewing skills. 

Not only can it 

add personality 

to your projects...

I especially love appliqué 

mixed with pieced quilt blocks!

Everyday this week...

 I'll be posting to show you

 how to use my 

Sew Simple Shapes

 in several 

different appliqué methods.

This is what they look like

 in their cute little package:)

I named my first set 

"BLOOM"

because the shapes are flowers,

 leaves and petals:)

The set has 24 fun shapes 

to mix and match 

for super cute and

 easy applique designs!

For this week...

I'll be using shape A-12 to make a 

"SEED" block.

This is a traditional 

appliqué block with many names,

 but my grandma and great aunts 

always called this shape

 a seed...so I will too!

Each day this week 

while making a block...

I will be using a different method

 each time so that you

 can choose your favorite!

I designed a line a fabric called 

Calico Days

 to go along with my BLOOM set.

It will be here in December...

Just in time to start my 

BLOOM Sew Along in January!

We will be making the above quilt...

one block at a time ...

every Monday 

right here on my blog!

But for this weeks

 tutorials...

I'll be using this

 super cute fabric collection

called Fancy and Fabulous!

To cut fabric for the SEED blocks

for each tutorial and method this week... 

I cut 5" squares from the prints and

I cut 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" 

squares for the background.

(I'll later square them up to 6 1/2" square)

I always cut my appliqué background 

1" larger than needed

 because the appliqué process

 can shrink your blocks a little ...

so I like to appliqué first 

and then

 square up the block afterwards.

Let's get started!

For my method of hand appliqué

 I have always used

 freezer paper as a tool 

to get the pattern 

onto the fabric.

You could skip the freezer paper

 but I love to use it...

I explain why below:)

Simply trace around the

 A-12 template onto the 

freezer paper 

(on the paper side) 

four times.

*NOTE - you could obviously just

 trace around the shape

 directly onto the fabric...

but I like to use freezer paper 

for this step for a few reasons:

1. I like to prepare all 

of my appliqué pieces 

at once, so I love the way

 that the paper keeps them

 nice and flat without

 wrinkling until it's 

time to appliqué it.

Just put prepared shapes

 in your baggie, basket, tin etc. 

and they remain just like

 you prepared them 

with no "re-pressing" needed.

2. The paper makes it easier 

to trim the 1/4" seam allowance

 because it's sturdy.

3. If you are glue basting...

the paper makes this step easier.

4. You can write on the paper

 to label when necessary 

to keep your pieces organized.

With that being said...

let's get back to the freezer paper!

Cut them out directly 

onto your traced line.

Now press them onto the

 RIGHT SIDE 

of your chosen fabric:)

Use a mechanical pencil to

 trace around each shape.

This is how you get the shape

 onto the fabric...

easy peasy!

Then cut out each shape

 leaving approximately

 1/4" seam allowance.

Prepare your background

 by pressing in half both ways

 and on the diagonal both ways.

Place a seed shape in 

one corner of the background...

making sure that the 

points line up with the

 diagonal pressed lines.

If you like to use

 glue instead of pins...

use it sparingly.

Just a few small 

dots will do it!

Keep the shape in place

 and just lift one side at a time.

After the glue is dry...

remove the paper.

P.S. I like to use 

Busyfingers Appliqué Glue 

by Sue Daley.

If you like to use pins...

make sure that they are 

appliqué pins because they 

are short and won't stab you

 or catch your threads 

while you are appliquéing:)

I usually use glue but pins

 definitely have their place.

Once your pieces are on

 the background you're

 ready to start stitching!

A good straw needle is a

 great tool for hand appliqué.

They are long ...

which you need because

 it is your tool to 

turn under your seam allowance.

They are also thin so that

 allows for a tiny stitch:)

I recommend starting 

with a size 10 and

 working your way to a size 11.

I always use 

100% cotton thread...50 weight.

Aurifil is my absolute favorite!

I match my thread to my

 applique shape...

 NOT the background.

Start with about 18" of thread 

and knot one end.

You will be using a single thread...

not double.

I'm starting with the yellow piece 

so I pinned the other 3 

out of the way where 

the seam allowances overlap.

Bring your thread up under 

the back of the appliqué shape...

NOT the background.

Bring your needle up

 right on the marked line.

Use the side of your needle

 to turn under the seam allowance ...

only a little at a time as you go...

about 1/2" at a time.

Hold down seam allowance 

that you have turned under with 

your thumb on left hand 

so that you can stitch 

with your right hand.

(reverse that if you are left handed)

Sorry I wasn't able to 

get a pic of this but 

I don't have three hands ...lol.

Here's a side view...

pencil mark should be 

on the side so it 

won't show on the top.

Stitch straight down

 taking a small bite of 

your appliqué edge and 

going to the back of 

the background where 

your thread travels underneath 

to the next stitch.

Here's what the back looks like.

You can see the long traveling

 stitches along the back.

This is what my left hand 

looks like when I'm stitching...

my needle would obviously 

be held by my right hand 

if I wasn't taking this picture:)

Keep stitching towards the seed points...

And take an extra stitch 

in the corner to secure.

Then simply use the 

side of your needle to

 "sweep" the seam allowance 

under and change direction.

One down and 3 to go!

Another view of the back:)

Knot your thread off 

in the back behind the 

appliqué shape so 

it won't show on the front.

Fun and Done!!!

Now you can square up 

your block with a

 6 1/2" square up ruler.

I always PRESS (don't iron)

 my hand appliqué blocks 

from the back...

 so the front pieces 

will not be distorted.

I LOVE hand appliqué 

and have designed, 

made and taught my method 

using my patterns

 for many years.

Unfortunately...

 I don't have as much time 

to hand appliqué anymore

 because of my 

busy designing schedule....

and I have really missed it.

That is exactly why I 

decided to do my 

Sew Simple Shapes 

along with a 

faster method for appliqué!!!

The BLOOM is just the first

 in a series that

will be released over time.

I plan to use my appliqué designs 

along with my pieced block patterns

 that I love to design as well...

for even more quilty fun!

  CLICK HERE

if you want a set of my 

BLOOM Sew Simple Shapes 

of your own to play with:)

Tomorrow I'll show you 

my very favorite way to use my

 Sew Simple Shapes.

It's easy machine applique!

It's simple and quick and 

 I LOVE the results!!! 

See you then...

xx

Lori