Many of us would love to have the time to do hand work, especially when it comes to appliqué...but, unfortunately, today’s life-style does not give us that luxury. So, some quilters have adapted quicker (and in most cases, much easier) ways of doing appliqué in order to continue to make those lovely ’special’ quilts. One such way is by fusing the appliqué and machine stitching around the pieces. In the past, my experience with fusible appliqué has not lived up to my expectations. Most fusible web products left my appliqué pieces stiff and flat...sometimes looking like a piece of cardboard! I wanted the ease of fusible but with the softness that hand appliqué gives. Through many trials and errors, I have found a method that does this...see what you think.

FUSED-EDGE MACHINE APPLIQUÉ   For this method, I use a product called “Steam-A-Seam 2” by The Warm Company™ that is available at most quilt stores.

It is a unique fusible web that has a pressure sensitive coating on both sides that allows for a temporary hold to both the appliqué and the background fabrics before the final fusing process. It also has paper on both sides which allows you to trace on either side. The pieces stay in place without shifting or moving around and can be repositioned if needed. When ready, only one pressing is needed for a permanent bond and the raw edges stay down without fraying. Best of all, your fabrics stay soft and supple even with many layers of appliqué. You can sew through the permanently bonded pieces without gumming up the needle and it’s machine washable or dry-cleanable. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

To begin, trace your pattern piece on one of the paper sides of the Steam-A-Seam 2 with a permanent, fine point marker. Since you can easily see through both papers, just lay it directly over the pattern to be traced.

NOTE: The traced pattern will be reversed from the actual pattern after it is adhered in place so if your pattern is directional, reverse the pattern before tracing it to the Steam-A-Seam 2 paper. Mark the areas that will have another appliqué piece overlapped on top. Be careful in handling the Steam-A-Seam 2...sometimes the papers want to separate from the web, but you can pinch them back together if this happens.

Cut out each pattern piece leaving a generous 1/4” to 3/8” margin outside the traced line.

Now carefully cut away the center part of the pattern, leaving another margin of 1/4” to 3/8” inside the traced line. The pattern pieces are every fragile so handle them with extreme care, making sure that the web remains stuck to the paper with the traced lines. If it helps, you can remove the underneath paper before cutting away the center part. What you have now should look like a ‘frame’ in the shape of your pattern piece.

Position the cut pattern frame on the wrong side of the fabric...web against the fabric with the paper facing up.   Using your fingers or something as a brayer, rub the pattern frame securely to the fabric. Do not heat-set with an iron, yet...that will come later.

Cut out the appliqué pieces on the traced line. When you come to an area that will be tucked under another appliqué piece, do not cut on the line...instead, trim around the outer margin and back in to the traced line.

Carefully peel off the remaining paper. There should be a small margin of web around the outside edge of the appliqué piece. Now your piece is ready to be positioned on the background fabric. It can be moved and repositioned if needed until the placement is exactly the way you want it.   Once you are satisfied with the position of the appliqué pieces, fuse them in place using a dry iron on the proper setting for the type of fabrics being used. Usually 10 to 15 seconds is needed for cotton fabrics Sometimes I use an appliqué pressing sheet to keep from scorching the fabrics and to help keep my iron clean from any web goo that might slip out from underneath. A pressing sheet also cuts down on the amount of time it takes to adhere the web to the fabrics.

Now comes the really fun part...machine stitching! Many of us have the electronic sewing machines with all the fancy stitches that we seldom use...but some of you may have a less complicated machine with only a few stitches. Any machine will work just fine as long as you can do a zigzag stitch. With the fusible web right up to the cut edges of the appliqué, there won’t be any fraying to deal with because the pieces are secure to the background. So all you need to do is add a simple decorative edge to finish off your Fused-Edge Machine Appliqué pieces.

On a sample, try out some of the stitches your machine has to find one you like. Test some curves and sharp points to see exactly how the stitch is formed and what adjustments you might need to make so the pivot points work out at the right place. You might want to play with the width and length of different stitches. Don’t forget to start with a new needle made especially for machine embroidery and a good quality of thread. I like to use a lighter weight thread in the bobbin to reduce thread build-up on the underside. I like to use a light-weight, tear-away stabilizer under the background fabric...especially when doing a satin stitch. Test the stitches you have selected...if they seem to do fine without a stabilizer, then that’s one step that can be eliminated. With only the edges of the appliqué pieces fused, the center remains soft and pliable like hand appliquéd pieces...but with a lot less work and time to spare!

© Copyright 2002 Margaret A. Callahan-Smith