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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Mock Needle Turn Applique' with AccuQuilt pre-cuts & Giveaway


Today I want to share some tips for a Mock Needle Turn Applique' technique that is very easy to use and also works well with many AccuQuilt shapes, especially the GO! Heart.

The raw edge applique technique is a common technique for many that use AccuQuilt, but a needle turn effect gives a more finished effect to your projects.  If you don't have the time or interest in needle turn applique', this mock applique technique is so easy and can work for many applique' shapes.


To create this effect you cut your fabrics as you would normally cut, using your AccuQuilt.  But, you also cut a layer of lightweight interfacing that has an adhesive on one side.  There are many brands of this type of interfacing on the market, but I personally enjoy using Pellon interfacing that is also easy to find at JoAnns and very reasonably priced. 

I place the adhesive side of the stablizer to the right side of the fabric for my pre-cut hearts and sew a 1/4" seam completely around these two layers.    I then take a sharp pair of small scissors and poke a small hole thru the cneter of the interfacing and cut a line to create an opening, approximately 1 to 1-1/2" long.  Also, be sure to clip the curves.


Using my finger I poke the fabric thru the hole in the interfacing to turn the heart.  Once turned, I use my finger to stick inside of the pocket and rub against the inside of the seam to ensure the heart pocket is fully opened.  Then, finger press the heart shape flat.  You now have a mock heart with the tacky side of the interfacing on the outside, ready to press this applique' shape to your project.


For this project, I created a very simple table runner.  It was fun & fast to make and consists of a design that I'm wanting to use to practice some free-motion quilting on too!

While I still need to sandwich and quilt this table runner, I hope these photos give you the general idea of how to do a mock needle turn applique and if you haven't yet used this technique', that you'll give it a try.  It works great for the AccuQuilt circles, round flower, Christmas Tree, Heart and many other shapes too.  But some AccuQuilt applique' shapes are not appropriate for a traditional needle turn, nor mock needle turn as they may loose their design shape in the process, or they are so small they may not support the 1/4" seam on a machine.  This technique also works with applique' shapes not cut with an AccuQuilt.  Play with it and see if you like this technique.  Again, it is easy, fast and fun.

Interested in winning some pre-cut hearts and interfacing to try this Mock Needle Turn Applique' technique?  I've cut 20 hearts and interfacing with fusible on one side and will gladly give these to a follower that is interested in winning them.  Simply leave a comment on this post and I'll randomly draw a name Fri., Feb 24th

Want an extra entry?  Visit all of the blogs in the GO! Ahead and Show Some Love Blog Hop and leave a comment on their blog post, for this hop and come back on this post  (no earlier than the 18th) letting me know you visited all of the blogs participating in this hop.  Of course, each of these participating blogs will be sharing inspirational projects, tips, tutorials and they'll be some fun giveaways too. 

Here is the line up for this blog hop:

February 13th

February 14th

February 15th

February 16th

February 17th
February 18th

AccuQuilt is also giving away 22 free quilt patterns for those that sign up for their newsletter. Simply click on the image below to sign up.

52 comments:

JustCindy said...

Will this work for all shapes? The tablerunner is so cute.

Gill said...

This looks a great idea! I was going to ask the same question as JustCindy!!

Michele T said...

I've heard of this technique but have never tried it... could it be that simple and work so easily? Looks that way!! Thanks for sharing!!

Margaret said...

Wow, that is cool. I have wanted to try this for sometime and this sure makes it look easy. Thanks.

B Greene said...

What an ingenious idea!! I would love to win the hearts and try this - it addresses all the reasons that I didn't want to try applique!!! Thanks so much.

Diana said...

Thanks for the tip! I have yet to try applique and will have to try this technique.

Rachel said...

What a great idea. I usually appliqué using the buttonhole stitch on my machine but this is much neater looking. I guess this technique could also be used if one doesn't own a Go!, right?

WoolenSails said...

I have tried that method and it was nice and easier, but mine came out a little thick for my liking.
No need to enter me, I have lots of stabilizers.

Debbie

Leslie said...

Thanks for the reminder, I have a quilt to make with LOTS of applique flowers and I had forgotten about this technique.

Laura said...

This is a fabulous way to do appliqué. Thank you for the tutorial.

teachpany said...

The table runner is so cute! I can't wait to see how you quilt it. I love doing appique this way, but hadn't tried it with GO! shapes. Great idea!

Kim said...

this is a nice reminder of this technique, your hearts look terrific.

thanks for the chance to win, Happy Valentines Day! and

Happy Sewing

Anonymous said...

Love your method...would love to make some valentine's cards for friends next year using your hearts..

Judy said...

Definitely have to put this on my (long) list of items to try. Thanks for the opportunity!

Teresa F. said...

Great idea. It makes needle turn so simple.Thanks!

Anonymous said...

It's been a few years since I've used this method, but it IS fun and easy. I would love to win your hearts...thanks for the giveaway!

Kathy H said...

I would love to win some of those hearts. I love to do needle turn applique but sometimes I just want to make something fast and that is a wonderful idea. Thanks.

ritainalaska said...

i've tried this before on circles but i think i left to much of a seam, 1/4" and even though i clipped and thumb-pressed, it had a lumpy, uneven edge. i need practice doing it the right way! would love to win your hearts!

rgoshorn@ak.net

Heather Vitella said...

How fun! I would love to win some hearts!!

Pat V. said...

I'd love to win some hearts and give this technique a try! Thanks for sharing...

Phyllis said...

Great idea! I love hearts!

MC said...

What a great idea! I will definitely try this and thanks for the chance to win some precuts!

Ariane said...

What a great idea. I've never used this technique. Thanks for the tutorial!!!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Such a fun design! I love the way the hearts are traveling across the top.

kbgrenier said...

This looks so easy! I'd love to win some hearts and give it a try.

Marcia W. said...

Thank you for this lovely giveaway. I was surprised to see it at the end of the post as was intently reading the instructions. This technique is similar to Eleanor Burns' technique from some early PBS shows - and thanks to you I now know where can purchase the interfacing. Oh! I am a follower too.

evelyn said...

I've used a similar method with just plain cotton on the back, as I am not great at needle turn. I like yours much better. Hearts would be a lovely "win".

cakegirl said...

Can't wait to try this trick. Thank you very much for the generous giveaway.

Regina said...

Awesome idea - I can imagine the possibilities -with so many shapes!!!

Laurel said...

I'd sure love those hearts! I have a thing for that shape, found around my home inside and out, right down to the heart-shaped Valentine cookies I made today(from refrigerated sugar cookie dough)! Thanks for a great giveaway.

ThreadCatcher said...

I would love the hearts! Applique is on my learn to do list...this process makes it seem possible. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.

nlcalendar said...

love those hearts...thanks for a chance to win

Sallie said...

Thanks for the explanation and for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

I've been wondering about doing applique etc and this is a good idea!

Janet said...

Great idea for making applique easier! Thanks for a chance to win some heart.

StitchingBahma said...

What a quick and easy way to applique hearts. Count me in to win!

Unknown said...

Thanks for showing us that way to do applique. I love we have materials that stick down the cut outs. Makes it so much easier.
SallyKingemail@gmail.com
www.BabyStepsQuilting.com

Carrie P. said...

I have done that method before and it works great.
Off to see the other blogs. thanks.

Shebandowan said...

Thanks for this tutorial. I use this method using dryer sheets, but with the fusible webbing it is even easier. Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway.

Janet

Linda E in NM said...

Cute idea and a nice tutorial. I can use those hearts in one of my projects.
thanks!

Anonymous said...

What great timing, I have been trying to figure out how to do an easy finished edge on a label for a small quilt, I think this would work just as well for a label as for an applique! Thanks for all your great ideas, PS I would love to win the hearts too!

quilter99755 said...

Love this lots better than raw edge applique...and some of the other's comments have given me more ideas for future and even present projects. I can see a hawaiian sampler in my future!

Barb said...

Oh that made so much sense! I will be trying that out later this afternoon with circles to make balloons. Thanks.

Theresa said...

I haven't tried this, but it's on my list..darn trip to lqs to get some interfacing
:-)

theresa

BarefootThunder said...

great tute !! sure would like to win your hearts, they would be a great addition to quilts I am working on for my grand daughter :)

Jodi - usairdoll said...

My first quilt I ever made had applique hearts. I made them using freezer paper, sewing them on and then cutting out the fabric behind the heart to remove the freezer paper. This is alot faster!

Thanks so much for a neat giveaway and a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

Richard Healey said...

Great idea I put all of them on follow so I can see what all they make.

http://richardquilts.blogspot.com
Stop by for my quilt givaway to guess my babys b-day and weight.

teachpany said...

I stopped at all the blogs and commented, which was so easy! The projects were wonderful, and they all made different, beautiful items, all ranging in size. It was a great hop! Thanks!!!

Marcia W. said...

This was an interesting blog hop that is helping me - especially since must go die shopping for a baby GO! that I received yesterday.
I've visited all the blogs and left comments on "their day". The projects are so creative. Thanks to you and the rest for an enjoyable "GO! Ahead and Show Some Love Blog Hop".

Mom C said...

Nice table runner. I really like red and white, they look so clean and bright to me.

Mom C said...

Enjoyed the blog hop very much. I intend to make several of the projects and everyone had good information. Thanks for organizing.

Brenda said...

I didn't get to do the blog hop. I found this too late! I would love to be in on the drawing for the beautiful hearts.