Monday, 21 January 2013

Quick Fuse Applique

Night Owls Mug Rug
This week I thought I might cover some hints and tips for quick fuse applique.
(Note:  To see the stitching close up on any of the mug rugs pictured just click on the mug rug - this will take you through to my Etsy shop where you can scroll over the picture to bring it more into focus.)

What is quick fuse applique?   It is a method of fusing fabric to fabric using a fusible webbing.  You may know fusible webbing as ‘bondaweb’, ‘wonder under’, ‘steam-a-seam’, ‘Vilene Vleisofix’ - it is all generally the same format - paper with double sided fusible webbing attached.  It allows you to fix shapes of fabric onto a background as shown in the Bunny Hop mug rug below.
Bunny Hop Mug Rug

How is it used?  One side of the fusible webbing is paper and the other side is an adhesive webbing.  You trace a design onto the paper side, cut it out roughly then fuse it onto the WRONG SIDE of your chosen fabric according to the manufacturer’s instructions (normally with a warm iron).  This will fuse the webbing to the fabric.  You then cut out the shape accurately, peel off the tracing paper and position the shape onto the RIGHT SIDE of your mug rug before fusing it in place.  Details of how to applique via this method are included with every Patchsmith pattern.

Storage of fusible webbing.   Some people like to cut sheets of fusible webbing (10"-12” square is a good size) and store the fusible webbing flat, in a bag.  Others like to store it on a roll which is how I store mine.  Whatever you do you should try not to fold it as this may make the webbing separate from the paper.  Whichever method you use it is also a good idea to pop a little silicone sachet (the type that come in handbags or shoes) into the drawer or bag in which it is stored because any moisture in the air can make the webbing separate.

Positioning applique shapes.  Take your time when positioning your applique shapes onto your mug rug prior to fusing.  I always have the applique sheet on the ironing board as I fuse the pieces onto the mug rug - this is how I constructed the Hive on the Side mug rug.
Fun Mug Rug Patterns
If you do make a mistake it is sometimes possible to gently pull the webbing shape off and reapply it but this will depend very much of the fabric used.  You will only be able to do this once though as the webbing will lose its adhesiveness.  Also when laying your shapes out on the mug rug remember to take into account the ¼” border and ensure all shapes are at least ¼” from all edges of the mug rug (unless the pattern states otherwise).    For example, with the Early Bird mug rug below - if you apply the little birds (optional) you will want to position them closer to the tree to allow for the ¼” border on the right-hand side.  
Early Bird Mug Rug pattern

Stitching the applique shapes in place.   With quick fuse applique the fabric is fused in place so the purpose of your stitching should be to secure the fabric to enable it to be laundered without separating.  You can stitch by hand or machine – both give differing looks to the shapes as mentioned previously HERE  The choice is totally up to you.  I use both methods – sometimes in the same mug rug as in Moonlit Cat mug rug shown below (the fish bones were hand stitched whilst the cat and moon were machine stitched).  I find machine stitching subtle but I also like the rustic look of hand stitching. 
Moonlit Cat Mug Rug
When hand stitching the most common stitch used is the blanket stitch but you could also use a straight stitch, cross stitch or a simple running stitch.  The main thing is that you stitch close to the edge to stop the fabric fraying and to hold it in place.  You should be aware however, of the impact the stitching will have on your mug rug.

Tip:  When stitching small pieces or felt pieces use only one strand of cotton rather than the usual two strands.  This will minimise the impact of the stitching.  In Black and White Cats I did not want the stitching on the mouse or the fish to stand out too much so only one strand was used. 


The size of stitch you use will also impact the overall look.  A small stitch appears neat and modern whilst a larger stitch can appear rustic and country.  In all honesty you most probably have a natural stitch length which will become evident once you start appliqueing. 
Valentine hearts mug rug pattern

Finally the colour of the thread you use can be influential.  Nowhere is this more evident than in Valentine Hearts where the gingham heart has contrasting stitching whilst the stitching blends in perfectly on the solid red heart.  Many embroidery cottons come in a matt or sheen look and you will have to decide if you want your stitching to co-ordinate and blend or contrast and become a stitching feature.  Both have their appeal.   On the Christmas Delivery mug rug below I have co-ordinated the thread with the robin redbreast but contrasted the thread on the envelope.  This has given definition to the envelope whilst the robin needs no such enhancement.
Christmas Delivery Mug Rug

Tip:  If you do not have access to embroidery cotton you can get away with using two strands of sewing cotton.  This will secure the applique in place and in many cases you will not be able to tell the difference.

This all sounds like a lot of decision making but once you start stitching you will find you make these choices naturally and you will discover your quick fuse applique style.  Remember that sewing, quilting and embroidery should be fun, productive and satisfying so do not worry if your stitching isn’t always even or the cotton doesn't blend perfectly.  Do the best you can, learn along the way and have as much fun as possible. 

That's it for this week’s hints and tips.  Next week I will cover the etiquette of participating in a mug rug swap. 

Sew until next time ...... 

14 comments:

  1. This tutorial is so wonderful and easy to understand :)
    I love "looking into your brain" to see what you are thinking about when choose how to adorn your lovely patchworked art!

    I am bookmarking this for future references!!

    Susie

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  2. A wonderful, informative tutorial, thank you for sharing your talents. Love seeing all your beautiful mug rugs. Ellyx

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  3. These are all so pretty. I would love to find patterns like these.

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    1. Thank you Carla. All of these patterns are available in my Craftsy shop and are priced at just $1.99 each. You can make them up in so many different colourways that you'll soon become addicted to them and be making them as gifts for friends and family .... and yourself of course.

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  4. What a great idea and a perfect way to combine my love of applique and try some quilting. I would love to know where the mug came from that is in the photos. I have seen a grey one as well. Thanks for the patterns.

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    1. The mug came from Marks and Spencers - it is one from a set of four.

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  5. I hope you run this swap again. I think it's a great idea. I love swaps

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    1. Michele often runs swaps over at Quilting Gallery but I will be sure to let you know when the next mug rug swap comes up.

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  6. Thank you so much for such a good tutorial. I am having such difficulty trying to applique a name on a baby quilt. Starting over again this weekend with this tutorial at hand!

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    1. If I can help in any way Laurie, just email me. I am glad you liked the tutorial.

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  7. You give such good instruction for applique! Thank you. I'm going to add your blog to my RSS feed! I do have a question though. Because I'm lazy . . . do you ever NOT use a damp press cloth when applying the final shapes to your fabric? I have an applique pressing 'sheet' (maybe it's a silicone type substance?, not sure) that I use to apply the Wonder Under to the wrong side of the fabric and I'm wondering if that sheet can take the place of a damp press cloth when applying the applique shapes to the background fabric. I know I can just do a test myself, but what has your experience been? Thank you so much!

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  8. Hi Kathy,
    I don't ever use a damp press cloth - mainly because a dry iron works very well. The instructions for my fusible webbing do not suggest a damp cloth. I do occasionally use a pressing sheet (a bit like a baking sheet) when I am doing a lot of applique - it saves me having to clean the iron! It is always best to follow the manufacturer's instructions as the different fusible webbings can have different requirements.

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  9. Wow.I have read a lot of tutorials over the years, but yours outshines them all! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful works of art.You are very talented. I am going to subscribe to your blog and download the alphabet pattern immediately.

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    1. Thank you Yvonne. I hope you enjoy the pattern and remember - I am just an email away (email in my 'About the Patchsmith' page).

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