Applique Templates- What Works for Me

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I've tried many different ways to create applique pieces and I have found this works for me.  The main reason I like using freezer paper over other template methods is because the patterns I am drawn to usually have multiples of the same piece.  Example, leaves, petals, flowers,etc.  I'm a bit too impatient when it comes to repeating the same thing over and over again.   "Yawn"... it becomes boring.  So, to keep my interest in the prize, which is sewing all the beautiful pieces together to make a block or whole piece quilt,  I prep the parts assembly line style (to be shown further.)

I'm currently working on a quilt out of Kim Diehl's book Simple Traditions.  The pattern is called 'Garden Patch'.  I want to give credit to the pictures I'll be using in my examples.

Freezer Paper Templates

Tools/Supplies:
*Freezer Paper - Buy it in the wax paper, foil area in most grocery stores or Walmart. One roll costs under $7 and will last a very long time.
*Lite box
*Scissors
*Sharpie

Example of the pattern I'm using. And this quilt requires I make 56 leaves. Thus the reason I use the freezer paper instead of making one leaf template out of a different product.  Freezer paper allows me to do the Assembly Line Method and make 56 leaf templates. 

 Secure your pattern to the light box. FYI,  I've even taped a pattern to the window and used daylight as my light source.  Should your pattern have bold lines you may not need a light box at all.

Cut one piece of freezer paper large enough to fit tracing the amount of pieces you will be making.  I'm making 56 leaves so I'm tracing 56 leaves onto my single sheet of paper.  You will be placing the paper, waxy-gloss side down.  Tracing the pattern to the paper side.

You don't need to be an artist to do this.  If you look close you'll see I missed tracing the line and went back over it.

Now, cut two more pieces of freezer paper the same size as the piece you've traced the pattern onto. Stack the three pieces together with the drawing piece on top,  making sure the waxy side is always facing down.  Take a hot iron, cotton setting, and use the iron to melt the sheets together.  Yes the bottom sheet will stick to your ironing surface but it easily lifts right up.  Check to make sure all the pieces have bonded together. 

The pattern pieces are now on a stiff piece of paper, your  template with a waxy coating on one side.  Cut out the shapes using sharp scissors.  Keeping in mind, when you are cutting, you'll want to cut using long cuts.  This gives a smooth edge to your template.

When you are cutting out multiple pieces you'll notice some of the layers not have melted together.  No worries.  You can either go back to the iron and apply heat again or the pieces will fuse together when appling the templates to the fabric.

 

Now, lets start making pretty things.  Take your template piece and lay them WAX SIDE DOWN on the WRONG side of your fabric. Take your iron and PRESS the pieces to the fabric, holding the iron down long enough to melt the wax to the fabric
.

Cut the templates out leaving a generous 1/4" edge around the template piece.

Take your fine pointed scissors and make little snips where there are dips and curves.  Careful not to cut too deep, just enough to help ease the fabric over the template when applying the starch and iron.

Using your paint brush, apply the 50/50 starch mixture, saturating the edge of the fabric.

 

Turn and Burn

This is a term I heard someone use and I think it fits. Using the iron we are now going to lift the starched edge and press it over the edge of the template until it dries around the edge.

This is where the tailors awl comes in handy.  It has a sharp metal point but the handle is plastic so it doesn't become too hot to hold. The sharp point holds the template to the ironing board so pressure can be applied to turn and iron the edge, without moving.

When doing leaves. I start at the south end point of the leaf  turning the edge toward the north end point.

After reaching the north end, rotate the leaf around so you're working  from the south to the north again. Notice the tab that sticks out when ironing the fabric at the north end point, take your awl, fold the point inward and iron from south to north again.  Apply starch when the fabric dries out.

The awl is used to fold the edge over, holding in place to apply the iron.

The pointed edge shows for now.  When I'm ready to stitch it down, I will snip a portion away and tuck the rough edge inside of the edge.

SIDE NOTE: I keep the paper template in the fabric until I'm ready to sew the piece on.  I find it keeps the edges pretty when I have them jumbled up together in a zip bag in my grab and go box.
 However, I have read that some don't know you remove the paper before sewing the piece down.

Reach inside and pull it out.  That easy!  Also, the template can be used several times over until the wax diminishes and won't stick to the fabric.

Because I like doing this process all at one time, that is why I call it the Assembly Line method.  I make a separate template for EVERY piece so I don't have repeat most of the steps.

Hope this helps spark the applique passion bug in you.
As always....
I'm Sew Happy to Share.
Hugs,   Penny