Blog
Innovative Applique – (A Review of a New Needleturn Applique Technique)
Hi!
I’ve just finished another course from the Creative Spark platform, and honestly, this “Innovative Applique” class from Becky Campbell has my mind racing. Becky’s class takes needleturn applique to a whole new level – not a complicated level, but with just how easy and user-friendly it can be!
I was not expecting this class to be quite so different, and for the first time, I’m really looking at needleturn applique as something I could enjoy doing more of. I’m usually more of a raw edge applique kind of girl – it’s quick and easy and gets the job done without much fuss, but now that I’ve learnt Becky’s turned edge method, I’m viewing needleturn applique in a whole new light.
This “Innovative Applique” class is just that, and Becky demonstrates her time saving turned edge method for applique very clearly.
There is a downloadable pattern for her Tulip block included too, and it has just the right mix of curves and lines to give you plenty of practice turning those edges.
Becky’s technique involves printing the pattern on different sheets, to completely eliminate the (often tedious) need for tracing pattern pieces.
There’s a comprehensive section on colour choices too, with tips for fussy cutting fabrics to show them off in the larger applique designs.
(I especially liked Becky’s tip on prewashing fabrics too – if you cut the edges with pinking shears (or use a pinked edge rotary blade), you can avoid a lot of threads fraying / ravelling in the wash.)
This technique uses freezer paper for the applique shapes,
and Becky demonstrates well how she turns the edges to prep each piece before appliqueing. She has a great tip too for lighter coloured fabrics, and how to ‘fix’ when they’re see-through enough to show the seam allowance, or a darker background fabric from showing through.
I really liked the idea of a pattern guide on transparent paper too –
and you can arrange the pieces so they are lined up exactly right, without having to resort to guesswork at the end.
Like so!
Once all pieces are arranged, you can then sew them in place by hand, or by machine, as you prefer. This step has been simplified too to eliminate the need to fully sew around all edges.
The finished tulip block. Ready to be made into a mini quilt, or incorporated in a larger quilted project.
One technique that I thought was especially clever, was how Becky shared her ‘no stuff trapunto’, to make those applique designs really pop. You can even do double batting this way as well! This is something I will be trying in the future!
To finish, Becky ran through a bunch of finished samples, and talked through ways to finish them beautifully with the little extras, like piping with the binding, and how to sew straight 1/4 inch accent borders.
This “Innovative Applique” class really over-delivered, and if you’re interested in checking it out (for a very reasonable $39.99), you’ll find it on the Creative Spark platform here.
I have been fortunate enough to again have one free class to give away this month too, so if you’re interested in needleturn applique, add a comment below and let me know what you’d like to make using this technique. I’ll choose a name at random next Tuesday 22nd July, and our lucky winner will receive Becky’s Innovative needleturn applique class for free.
Enjoy your week, and do check this one out!
