1970-1979

Michigan State University Museum; Black Diaspora Quilt History Project; Cuesta Benberry Quilt and Ephemera Collection

Wheatridge, Colorado, United States

Leman Publications applique instructions

General Directions for Applique Patterns

Transfer the paper pattern to a stiff material like plastic or cardboard. Draw around the pattern onto the cloth, then cut 3/16" or 1/4" out from the pencil line. This gives you an allowance to turn under. Most of our applique patterns have the allowance marked on many of the pattern pieces. On some of the larger pieces, the allowance is not marked. Turn the allowances under and press with an iron. Clip in toward the fold on all curved edges so the pieces will not pucker when sewn to the block. All pieces should lie flat and smooth before applying to the block. Bias tape is good for straight lines, flower stems, etc.

Assemble the design on the block. Iron the background block first. It may be creased in half, then half again, if you wish, to provide guide lines to center the pattern. The dotted lines on our patterns show the placement of various parts of the design. When the dotted lines overlap on top of the main body piece, the pattern pieces should also go on top. When the dotted lines stop at the edged of the body piece, that pattern piece should go under the big body piece. Most arms, legs, etc. have their ends tucked under the main body piece. Some, however, lap over the top of the body for a more realistic effect. Stems of flowers usually go under the flower, or under the edge of vase or basket. The parts of a piece that go under a flower, or under the edge of any other piece should not be turned under. The raw edge will be covered by the top pattern piece. When the design is placed on the block, baste all pieces down carefully. Press again if necessary. Sew around all pieces with a small invisible stitch. Be careful not to pull stitches too tightly. Use thread the same color as the piece.

Do any necessary embroidery after the design is appliqued to the block.

When quilting appliqued blocks, the quilting usually follows the lines of the design. Quilt about 1/4 inch outside the design, going all around the design.

Those who have sewing machines which do the zigzag stitch sometimes perfer to applique a quicker way than described above. To applique by machine, no turning under allowance is necessary. The pieces are cut and assembled on the block. Starting with the underneath pieces, zigzag around each pattern piece with a close zigzag stitch. Build up the design, adding the pieces which go on the very top of the design last. Each piece is zigzagged on separately.

Use a Turkish towel under the block when pressing your block after the applique is done, if you do not wish the design to be flattened.

Suggestions for our children's quilts (toy, animal and Indian appliques): These quilts are quite effective if you set the blocks together with two inch strips of a darker color than the background color of the blocks. These strips appear to "frame" the blocks, giving them a picture book quality. All around the quilt a two-inch border completes the effect.

LEMAN PUBLICATIONS