EZ Quilting Designed for quilters by quilters
EZ Quilting News EZ Quilting Products EZ Quilting Free Patterns EZ Quilting Tutorials EZ Quilting Information/Help
Info/Help  >  Helpful Tips  >  Appliqué Tips and Techniques
Appliqué Tips
  • Pin appliqués from the wrong side to avoid tangling the thread on pins.
  • A small pillow in your lap will support the work and improve posture and can act as a pincushion as well when stitching by hand.
  • Use thread to match the appliqué, not the background fabric.
  • Stitches should be no farther apart than 1/8" - any farther and unsightly gaps may occur.
  • When quilting appliqué designs, begin by quilting a scant 1/8" around the appliqué. This will give the appliqué added dimension, popping it off the background.
  • Appliqué is a natural for embellishments. Consider adding beads, fabric paints or trims for added interest. Accent a pattern in the fabric or create an original design.
Appliqué Techniques

Needle Turn Appliqué
This method allows the appliqué to be stitched directly onto the surface. The needle is used as a tool to turn the seam allowance under as stitches are taken.

  1. Trace or transfer appliqué shape onto fabric, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance between motifs. Cut out carefully.
  2. Transfer appliqué design to background fabric
  3. Using bamboo creaser, fold over seam allowance (following traced line) and crease to wrong side.
  4. Place appliqué in position and pin from the wrong side.
  5. Place threaded needle under appliqué and come up just on the appliqué edge of the creased seam allowance. Pull thread through. Insert needle into background fabric directly across from where the needle came up, move needle up under the appliqué, emerging about 1/8" from last stitch. This is a blind stitch and after some practice it will be virtually invisible!

    Tip: No melt mylar templates can be traced for the appliqué shapes and then used to trace shape to fabric. Place the template on the wrong side of the cut out shape and press the seam allowances with a bamboo pointer creaser for a sharper crease.

Freezer Paper Appliqué Technique
This method uses freezer paper as a guide for stitching.
  1. Transfer appliqué design to background fabric.
  2. Copy motif onto dull side of freezer paper. Cut out exactly on line - DO NOT add a seam allowance.
  3. Iron freezer paper motif, shiny side down onto motif fabric. Cut out shape adding 1/4" seam allowance. DO NOT remove freezer paper.
  4. Place on background fabric and pin.
  5. Bring needle up just on the outside edge of the freezer paper template, but under the appliqué. Using point of needle push seam allowance under following freezer paper edge as a guide while blind stitching appliqué. (Click on image for larger view.)

Raw Edge Appliqué Technique
This technique provides a casual, fun look that gives added dimension to a quilt top.
  1. Transfer or trace design to background fabric.
  2. Transfer motif to appliqué fabric.
  3. Cut out motif; consider using a wavy edge or a pinking edge scissors for added dimension.
  4. Place motif on background fabric and pin.
  5. Stitch with decorative stitches by machine or hand inside the edge of the appliqué leaving the edge free to ravel.
  6. This type of appliqué looks especially well with embellishments such as buttons, beads etc. (Click on image for larger view.)


Any Questions or Comments, please e-mail us or call 1-800-660-0415.
© 2006 EZ Quilting by Wrights