Page 88 - Patchwork & Quilting - UK (February 2020)

TECHNIQUE // in a nutshell

IN A NUTSHELL

PREPARATION OF FABRICSŏ PRESSINGŏ
It is advisable to use 100% cotton fabric if the When piecing fabrics it is essential to press Always cut away from the body and store
finished item is to be laundered. Ideally fabrics each seam as it is stitched. Firstly, press the cutter out of the reach of children. Cutting
should be washed and pressed before using seam flat on the wrong side before opening rulers come in a variety of sizes and are
as this allows for shrinkage and the pieces, to set the stitches. Then, on right usually marked in inches with 1 ⁄ 8" increments.
colourfastness. To check a fabric is colourfast, side of the fabric, press both seams towards To straighten the edge of the fabric prior to
dampen and lay it on top of a white cotton the darker fabric using tip of the iron and cutting strips, fold in half with selvedges
fabric and press. Check for any dye then press again on the wrong side. Seams together and place on cutting mat. Place
transferred to the white fabric.bIf the colour can also be pressed open as this helps to ruler on the fabric, at right angles to the fold
bleeds when the fabric is washed, rinse distribute the bulk of fabric created when and cut the fabric to give a straight edge.
repeatedly until water runs clear and, if lots of seams meet at one point. Press rather Place the cut edge of fabric to the left of the
necessary, soak in a solution of 3 parts water than iron, preferably without steam. Spray cutting board, if right handed (to the right, if
to 1 part vinegar. starch can also be used.b left handed) then using the ruler, measure
width of strip to be cut. Hold ruler in place
TEMPLATE MAKINGŏ ROTARY CUTTINGŏ and cut along edge of the ruler. Several
These need to be accurately made from either Squares, rectangles and other shapes can be layers of fabric can be cut at one time.bStrips
rigid plastic or cardboard. The templates given quickly cut from strips of fabric using a rotary can then be sub cut into squares, rectangles,
on thebPattern Sheetbare usually full sized. A cutter, a self-healing cutting mat and a triangles and other shapes.
seam allowance of ¼" is used in all projects special cutting ruler. A rotary cutter has a
unless otherwise stated. Refer to the Pattern very sharp round blade which must be
Sheet for more information. shielded at all times when not in use.

APPLIQUÉŏ small, sharp pair of scissors to cut ¼" within marked line. Clip curves
The technique of applying one or more fabrics to a background and corners as necessary. Using a thread to match top layer, use
with hand or machine stitching. Always use a thread to match the tip of your needle to turn under the top fabric to the drawn line of
colour of the shape to be appliquéd.b the design,bdia. 1c. Slip stitch to bottom layer. Turn work over and
trim away excess fabric,bdia. 1d.b
Hand appliquéĿ
Also known as needleturn appliqué.bThe appliqué pattern can be By machine
traced onto the background fabric or an overlay method can be Mark the design on wrong side of bottom layer of fabric. Sandwich
used. Draw around appliqué shape and cut out, adding an approx. fabrics as for hand reverse appliqué. Use a straight stitch and
¼" seam allowance. Pin shape in place on background fabric and working from back of fabric, stitch exactly along line of the design.
slip stitch down, turning under seam allowance with your needle as From the right side of fabric sandwich, use a sharp pair of scissors
you go. to cut as close as possible to the inside of stitched line thus
removing the top layer to reveal the design. This cut edge can then
Freezer paper appliquéĿ be covered with a line of satin stitching.
Cut freezer paper to exact size of design and iron shiny side of Reverse Appliqué
paper to wrong side of fabric. Cut out addingbapprox. ¼" seam
allowance. Press seam allowance over the freezer paper to give a dia. 1a dia. 1b
smooth edge. Pin in place on the background fabric and slip stitch
almost all of the way round the shape, leaving a small gap. Remove
the paper and complete stitching.b
Machine appliquéĿ
Apply fusible web to back of appliqué fabric before cutting out each
drawn shape accurately, without a seam allowance. Fuse into RS RS
position and use a zigzag, satin or buttonhole stitch to attach.b
dia. 1c dia. 1d
REVERSE APPLIQUEŏ
This is the ‘opposite’ of appliqué, where a layer or layers of fabric
are removed to reveal the design.b

By hand
Cut two pieces of fabric and draw design on right side of top fabric.
Pin the other fabric beneath top fabric, right side up,bdia. 9a. Tack
layers together approx. ½" outside drawn design,bdia 9b. Use a RS WS

86 British Patchwork & Quilting FEBRUARY 2020