March Tip

Using freezer paper for applique can make your machine or hand applique crisper and easier to manage. It allows you to fold the seam allowances under before you start to sew, and gives a better idea of the pattern when you start stacking the pieces on the background.

To start, you'll need freezer paper (available in the paper products or canning section of the grocery store), your pattern, the fabric, a pen, paper scissors and fabric scissors, and an iron. You may also want to have spray starch and small embroidery scissors on hand. You can use a lightbox if you have one. If you are having a hard time tracing, you can tape the pattern to a window during the day and trace on that.

Begin by tracing your pattern on the smooth side of the freezer paper and cutting out each piece. You may want to label these pieces as you trace them so you don't get messed up. If you are doing something that has an obvious direction (like a profile, or a part of a flower), trace it on the shiney side or your piece will be backwards.

Now iron the freezer paper patterns, shiney side down, to the wrong side of the fabric. Cut out the pieces, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

Head to the ironing board and press the seam allowance in, right at the edge of the freezer paper. You may want to cut small notches on curves, and slits on sharp inside corners with small scissors. You may also want to give the seam allowances a shot of spray starch to keep them pressed in place.

Now you can begin laying the pieces out on your background. As you get the pieces in place, remove the freezer paper and pin the piece down. You can also baste them if you feel more comfortable doing it that way. You are ready to sew them down, either by hand or machine, and will have nice crisp edges on your applique.

See, that was pretty easy, huh?