Monday, June 18, 2012

Applique - A very happy discovery!

Isn't this a sweet mushroom? This mushroom is the result of a happy discovery I recently made.

 

I've been wanting to cut some of my patterns out of fabric and use them as an applique on another piece of fabric.  But I wondered how to attach the fabric to fabric without stitching or having to finish any of the cut and raw edges.  I did a little online research and I saw several references to a paper backed fusible.  Although I have used fusible interfacing and fusible web, I really liked that with the paper backed fusible, you can trace a pattern onto the paper backing, cut out the shape, peel the paper backing off and fuse the shape to another piece of  fabric :)  I bought some at the fabric store:


I also bought this red and white polka dot fabric - I thought the red and white would be perfect for a mushroom top.  I decided to use one of the mushrooms from the Ladybug pattern packet:


I first cut out a small piece of the fusible web. The directions said to put the rough side of the fusible web onto the wrong side of the fabric:


Then I ironed it onto the wrong side of the fabric.  I used a dry iron on the cotton or hot setting, according to the instructions.  It worked really well and is firmly fused to the fabric:


Next, I cut the mushroom top off of my pattern:


I put it face down onto the fusible web and used a regular pencil to


trace the mushroom top onto the fusible web:


Then I cut the traced muhroom top out of the fused fabric:


I did the exact same steps with the mushroom stem on some white fabric.  Here are both the cut pieces right side up:


Since the stem has to be under the mushroom top, I put it onto the fabric first.  I peeled the paper backing off:


positioned it into place and then peeled the paper backing off the mushroom top:


and set it on top of the stem:


Then, I ironed them both down onto the fabric.  The directions said to use a cooler "wool setting" on the iron and to use a damp press cloth.  I did that and this is the result:


And now for some grass around the base of the mushroom:


This fused fabric is fairly easy to stitch through, {I used a smaller eye embroidery needle} so I stitched some of the grass right over the mushroom stem.

 
I am really happy with the result and I think I will go on to embellish this a little more, maybe with some more grass, a few flowers and a ladybug.  I am really pleased that these patterns can so easily be used as applique shapes too!



21 comments:

Donna said...

Darling mushroom! You make such adorable designs! Did you know you can put the fusible web on top of your pattern and just trace it onto the paper that covers the web; and then iron it onto your fabric, then cut along those traced lines? Does that make sense? It would save you the step of cutting out your pattern. I have used "wonder under" and "heat n bond" and they both work great.

Bits of Stitching! said...

It turned out lovely! Most of your patterns will look great in appliqué. I like this technique since, in a way, it lets me play with "stickers" in a fancier age appropriate way ;-).
Have fun!!!

SewAmy said...

Your mushroom is adorable.

Kim said...

Hi Donna - Thanks! And thank you for the tip! I didn't know that but I will certainly try it. Any way I can save a step is great!
Thank you Monika - LOL! I feel the same way :)
Hi Amy - Thank you!

Unknown said...

Hi Kim! I love to do apliques! I've used fabric glue sometimes and it's work too. I wonder it's a wonderful way to turn things a little bit different in our projects, isn't it? Your project is amazing as usual! Well done, dear!

Emma Breadstill said...

Lovely mushroom! I love looking at all your different stitches, you're very clever xxx

Beena said...

excelant job keep it up
www.beenascreations.blogspot.com

Johanna said...

So very cute. I like appliques with a blanket stitch edging around them!

Sara said...

The grass is so sweet with the mushroom:) I want some wonder under now!

Kim said...

Simone - Thanks! I should try fabric glue - I imagine it would work well if you didn't want to use an iron on your fabric.
Emma - Thank you! I am having a lot of fun doing those stitches.
Hi Beena - Thank you!
Johanna - Thanks! I love the edge stitching too, I think it would look good here
Hi Sara - Thank you! :)

Angela Lee said...

It's too cute Kim. I've thought of doing the same thing with your strawberries. I found an old, old UFO that would look terrific with one of your strawberries on the collar. I did Robbie's UGA applique on his quilt the same way. Although I did stitch around the edge with a straight stitch.

Stitch 'n Dye said...

Kim

I am so glad that you found applique. I have several of your pattern sets and applique is exactly what I have been thinking of doing with some of the designs.

regards
Sue

Kim said...

Angela - Thank you. I have been thinking about the strawberries too, after seeing how easy it was to do this mushroom I think they would be a natural for applique. What a great idea on a collar! Just saw your blog post - his quilt looks soooo good.
Hi Sue - Thanks! I hope you do applique with some of them - I'm looking forward to trying some more of these :)

Ellen said...

Adorable! There is nothing cuter than red topped mushrooms. Love the addition of embroidered grass too.

Kim said...

Hi Ellen - Thanks! I saw this fabric and knew exactly where I wanted to use it! I love red with this blue too.

JennyPennyPoppy said...

Your mushroom looks great and the red and white polka dot material is perfect. Very nice explanation and photos for using fusible web :)

Kim said...

Thank you Jenny - I love using this web!

Ana Love Craft said...

Hi Kim,

I love mushrooms and polka dot fabrics, and this application is beautiful, love the little green herbs so delicate. Thanks for the explanation.
Have a look at my blog I’ll be glad.

Hugs from Portugal

Ana Love Craft

www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

Kim said...

Hi Ana - Thank you! I am really enjoying applique. Thnk you for the link - I love your blog!

Brooke xo said...

this is wonderful, thanks for sharing :) All your work is amazing.

Kim said...

Brooke - Thank you! I want to applique so more - it is really fun.