I mentioned last week that I’m going to attempt the applique blocks that Barbara Brackman is offering as a BOM called the Ladies Aid AlbumQuilt. I have the first block done and a second well under way. I learned the back basting method of applique from a tutorial by Jeanna Kimball. Here is a quick rundown of how it works.
First, the design is traced onto the back of the background block. I use a large needle and quilting thread to baste the applique fabric in place. I stitch on the lines to do this.
I used bigger basting stitches where the edge of the applique would be covered by another piece.
This is what it looks like when I turn it over to the front.
Now I trim away the extra fabric leaving a quarter inch seam allowance.
From here on out, it is basically needle turn applique. I just take out a few basting stitches at a time, turn the edge under, and applique it down. Using the large needle in the basting step perforated the edge and causes the seam allowance to turn under nicely.
I hope this makes sense. So far, this is the method of hand appliqué that works best for me, but clearly, I am no expert!
Have a great day!
Interesting. I have never seen this method, although I don’t applique much. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting! I’m a needle turned applique novice. I do enjoy it. I think I will have a go at the method you’ve shared. It’s good to try different ways of doing things isn’t it rather than thinking the first way learned is the ‘right’ or ‘best’ way?