Applique an Airedale, Part 5 - Photos

This is an overview of the creation of "N is for Nosepoke."

Drawing the pattern onto the stabilizer.

Drawing the individual pattern pieces onto the
matte side of freezer paper.

Ironing the background fabric.

Stitching the background fabric to the stabilizer
which has the pattern drawn onto it.

Ironing two freezer paper pattern pieces
onto the front side of fabric.

A pattern piece cut out with edges folded to the back and
pressed. On the right side of the blue piece you can
just barely see the white freezer paper around the edge.

Both pieces of the back side of "N" with folded edges.
Gluestick was used to keep several sections of the fold in place.

The front side of the "N" with the freezer paper still attached.

Both sections of the "N." The blue section has already been stitched.
The section with freezer paper is pinned, ready to be stitched.
I leave the freezer paper on until after the piece has been stitched.
You can just barely see the pattern through the background fabric.

The "N" and two legs stitched in place.

The little 'dale's beard is stitched in place.

The little 'dale's head stitched in place.

The little 'dale's ears pinned in place, ready to be stitched.

Big 'dale's head, near front leg, and belly stitched.
Back leg, thigh, and tail pinned, ready to be stitched.

Big 'dale's saddle pinned in place. The head, neck, and leg
were cut in one piece but for the applique to lay flat,
the head and saddle needed to interlock. The lower part
of the head/neck/leg piece is behind the black saddle;
the back of the neck/head is on top of the saddle.

A larger photo of the above image.

Little 'dale's paws have been added, big 'dale's saddle and ears
have been stitched. Eyes, mouth, and noses have been added.
Embroidery floss is being auditioned for eyebrow details.

Detail of noses, mouth, and eyebrows.

The finished block.

----------------
Other posts in this series:
"A is for Airedale" Quilt Patterns Available Now!
Applique an Airedale, Part 1 - Tracing the Pattern
Applique an Airedale, Part 2 - Auditioning and Choosing Fabrics
Applique an Airedale, Part 3 - Cutting the Pattern Pieces
Applique an Airedale, Part 4 - Stitching, Finishing
Applique an Airedale, Part 5 - Photos

Applique an Airedale, Part 4 - Stitching, Finishing

Step 1 - Placing Pieces

You may need to hold your stabilizer & backing fabric up to a window to see exactly where the pieces go. Look at your pattern and the pieces you have to applique and decide which should be attached closest to the backing fabric and which will be attached on top of those. Pin the first piece in place.

Step 2 - Stitching

The next step in appliqueing a quilt block is the actual stitching. There are several ways to stitch around the edge of the pieces. I prefer a stitch that is nearly invisible.

The front of your quilt will have the tiniest stitches along the edges of the fabric pieces. The back side of the fabric will seem to have little dashes going all the way around the pieces that you've stitched down.

I'm going to send you to several other sites that explain it better than I can. Or you can probably find a book at your local library that will detail the actual stitching process.

Learn to Applique has the best instructions for the actual hand sewing of the applique pieces. It gives directions for turning, clipping seam allowances, and pressing, etc. The site also suggests two ways to use freezer paper. The freezer paper method I've described is the one she calls "Now the Method I Use" at the very end of the webpage.

Another source for more information is Standard Hand Applique Stitch where you can see another drawing and explanation.

Or this video might be helpful to you.



Step 3 - The Tiny Pieces

Sometimes you will find that there are some very small pieces to be appliqued. You'll have to decide your comfort level in regards to the size for appliqueing. Often it's better to embroider the smaller pieces, and I think it's always best to embroider lines.

Step 4 - Finishing

You may find that you'd like to wash your block before sewing borders on it or sewing it into a quilt. You can do this by hand, gently, and then lay flat to dry. You may find that you'll need to gently press it when it's just slightly damp.

And you're finished! Hooray!

---------------
Other posts in this series:
"A is for Airedale" Quilt Patterns Available Now!
Applique an Airedale, Part 1 - Tracing the Pattern
Applique an Airedale, Part 2 - Auditioning and Choosing Fabrics
Applique an Airedale, Part 3 - Cutting the Pattern Pieces
Applique an Airedale, Part 4 - Stitching, Finishing
Applique an Airedale, Part 5 - Photos