Hand-Stitched Needle-Turned Appliqué
Hand appliqué makes a project portable. Here’s one method using freezer-paper templates to hold the seam allowances of the appliqué pieces in place. Available in grocery stores, freezer paper has a shiny coating on one side that temporarily adheres to fabric when pressed with a warm iron.
Make Templates
Trace the appliqué patterns onto the dull side of the freezer paper, and then cut out on the traced lines to make templates. (Make templates the exact size of the finished pieces with no seam allowances included; the seam allowances are added when you cut out the appliqué pieces.)
Prepare the Appliqués
Place the appliqué fabric wrong side up on a pressing surface. With a hot, dry iron, press a freezer-paper shape, shiny side down, to the appliqué fabric. Cut out the appliqué shape, adding a 3/16" seam allowance to all edges. Clip any inside curves or points on the seam allowance. Then use the tip of a hot, dry iron to push the seam allowance over the edge of the freezer paper, creating a sharp, folded edge. Remove the freezer-paper template and discard.
Slip-Stitch the Edges
Pin or baste the appliqué to the appliqué foundation. Thread a hand-sewing needle with 18" of thread. Slip-stitch the appliqué edge in place by passing the needle through the folded edge of the appliqué and then through the appliqué foundation. Continue around the appliqué, taking smaller stitches around inside corners and curves.
Finish It Up
End the thread by knotting it on the wrong side of the foundation, beneath the appliqué piece. Once all pieces have been appliquéd, place the foundation facedown on a terry-cloth towel and press from the wrong side to prevent flattening the appliqués.
Continued on Page 2: Fast and Fusible Appliqué
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