For the past two days I've taken a little break from decorating the nursery to start my Sugar Pop! quilt. I am using an appliqué stitch to hand sew most of the quilt top, and though it is nothing new, I think it is just the niftiest little stitch out there. It allows you to sew a design to a flat piece of fabric without ever seeing the stitch and it is sometimes referred to as a slip stitch, invisible stitch or blind stitch. You could also use this stitch for a hem or to sew the opening of a pillow or softie closed. You can learn how to do this stitch in any good book about sewing, like this one or this one. Or you can keep reading because today you're getting a little tutorial on how to create the perfect appliqué stitch.
*1* Make sure that the shape to be appliquéd has ample folded edges and that the edges are smooth.
*2* Now, pin that sucker down within an inch of its life. Not really. You don't need quite so many pins, I just get a little meticulous sometimes.
*3* Grab a short, and super sharp hand-sewing needle. I am using a No.7 needle.
*4* Single thread your needle with a very long piece of thread and knot off.
*5* Bring the needle through the folded edge of your shape to be appliquéd to the bottom fabric.
*6* Take a short stitch into the bottom fabric, making sure that your stitch is directly underneath the outer edge of the shape you are sewing down.
*7* Insert the needle from right to left into a single layer of the fold of the shape.
*8* Pull the thread taught after each set of stitches so that the shape lays down flat. Be careful not to over do it here, you do not want the shape to pucker. Repeat steps 6-8 all around your shape and knot off your thread when you arrive back at your starting point.
*9* Now just look at your apliqué shape and wonder how in the world it is staying in place.
Do you see why it is my favorite stitch? I think it is the neat freak in me that loves it so much.
OH! and before I go, I just have to ask. Can you even believe that it is July already? Where has this year gone to? Really? It just blows my mind that we have now officially entered the month that Ryan and I have been planning for and dreaming about for so MANY months. Sometime in this month we will hold our babe in our arms for the very first time. A special month indeed!
Hello! I'm Liz Scott - mama to two little ones, maker, and all around curiosity chaser. I live with my family in Los Angeles, where we seek to fill each day with adventure, joy and creativity. I write about it all here on the blog. Thank you for visiting.
