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Applique Quilt Block 

Applique is a great way of adding something extra to your quilt or cushion cover.  Sometimes the design you want just can't be put together with pieced patchwork and adding the design by applique can give you that special effect.

Recently I wanted to use the image of a stag's head on a quilt so I looked up pictures on the internet.  I found a really useful site where they have loads of pictures to download and there are no copyright problems: 
http://www.clker.com/


So the first stage was to download the picture I wanted, enlarge it on the photocopier, then cut round the outline.  I used paper, but if it was a design that would be used many times - maybe in every quilt block - then I would have traced the outline onto card so that it would last better.

Cut a piece of fabric for the applique design and iron a piece of one sided fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric.  Draw round your applique template and cut out the shape.

I prefer to use a fabric marker pen and draw on the right side of the fabric, although many quilters draw their outlines on the wrong side of the fabric - it doesn't matter then if you use a pen.

To make this particular applique quilt block I was using a thin fabric so I ironed interfacing on to the back of the quilt block as well to make it more stable to work with.  This shouldn't normally be necessary.

The blocks in this quilt are 6" square finished size and the stag's head applique would not fit on to one block so I used a double quilt block, 6.1/2" wide by 12.1/2" long.

Carefully place the shape on to the quilt block fabric and baste it in place.  For this applique I just basted a line up the centre of the shape.

There is no need to worry about turning the edges under when you sew the applique design in place because the interfacing prevents fraying.  You can slipstitch the applique in place with small stitches all round the edges, or satin stitch it using your machine or use an embroidery stitch to embellish the design.

I used blanket stitch all round the edge of the applique stag's head and then a running stitch to pick out the antlers and a satin stitch for the eye.

For more information on these stitches, click on embroidery.

The stitching shows up more clearly on the back of the applique quilt block.

The applique quilt block is now ready to be sewn to the surrounding quilt blocks to continue making your quilt top.

I used this applique quilt block in the middle of the Scottish themed quilt.