General Instructions
You probably already have most of the supplies needed for these projects. Even so, here are a few tips on materials and tools, general assembly instructions and finishing tips that you may find helpful.
Basic Tools & Supplies
• Scissors for paper and fabric
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Nonslip quilting rulers
• Nonpermanent fabric-marking tools
• Template material
• Sewing machine
• Walking or even-feed foot (optional)
• Hand-sewing needles
• Straight pins and pincushion
• Curved safety pins for basting
• Seam ripper
• Steam/dry iron and ironing surface
Fabric & Thread
For best results, use only good-quality 100 percent cotton fabric and quality thread. Your time is worth it. If you are prewashing, do so with ALL of the fabrics being used. Generally, prewashing is not required in quilting.
Here’s a Tip
Template material does not have to be expensive. I use cereal boxes—they are clean and easy to cut, and are still sturdy enough to last through repeated tracings.
Fusible Web With Paper Release
There are a lot of appliquéd projects in this book, and all have been made using fusible web with paper release and machine blanket-stitched edges. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for fusing times as brands do vary. Of course, if you prefer to hand-appliqué or use other methods of machine appliqué, feel free to do so.
Batting
Almost any low or mid loft batting will work for these projects. For items that will be subjected to heat, such as hot pads and coasters, using one or two layers of cotton batting along with needle-punched insulated batting is suggested.
A needle-punched insulated batting reflects heat and cold back to the source. This breathable material has deep fibers that prevent conduction and a reflective metallized film that prevents radiant energy from passing through. Do not add this batting in anything you will be using in the microwave.
Fabric Glue
Fabric glue is listed on some of the project materials lists. Usually it is described as an optional item, as you can choose to tack the pieces in place by hand. But sometimes, it is easier and more practical to use glue. When using a fabric glue, apply it carefully and sparingly and follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Walking or Even-Feed Foot
A walking or even-feed-foot attachment for your sewing machine is a very helpful tool when sewing layers, and it is useful for simple quilting patterns as well. This foot feeds the upper and lower layers of fabric through the machine at the same rate.
Pinking Shears
Since a lot of the projects have curved pieces that are sewn and turned, consider adding a pair of pinking shears to your toolbox if you don’t already have them. If you cut around curved seams with the pinking shears, you eliminate the need to clip the curves with straight-edge scissors, saving some time and effort. Pinking shears can also be used to control fraying on seam edges.
General Assembly Instructions
Read all instructions carefully before beginning each project.
All seams are ¼" unless otherwise directed.
The measurements given for each project include the outer seam allowance.
Press each seam as you sew.
Appliqué
Many of the projects in this book are made using a fusible web with paper release and a machine blanket stitch. Refer to Raw-Edge Fusible Appliqué for specifics. Other appliqué methods may be substituted if desired. All of the appliqué patterns are reversed so they will face the correct direction when fused to the background. When appliqués overlap, slip one edge under the other ¼" before fusing.
Sometimes, appliqué fabric is so light-colored or thin that the background fabric shows through excessively. You can correct this transparency problem by fusing a piece of lightweight interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric and then applying the fusible web with the marked pattern to the interfacing side. Cut out and use in the same way.
When arranging appliqué pieces on the background, use a straight pin to drag the pieces in place.
If the appliqué is large and you want to reduce the stiffness, cut out the center of the fusible-web shape after drawing the pattern onto the paper side of the web. Just leave a margin of ¼"–½" inside the pattern line. This gives a border of adhesive to fuse to the background and leaves the center soft and easy to quilt.
If your fabric puckers during the machine stitching, use a light- to medium-weight stabilizer behind the appliqué.
If using the machine blanket stitch for an edge finisher, practice going around curves. You need to move the fabric as often as necessary to keep the stitch going into the appliqué as perpendicular to the edge as possible. When you get to corners, place a stitch at the point before pivoting to stitch the next side. 
Raw-Edge Fusible Appliqué
One of the easiest ways to appliqué is the raw-edge fusible-web method. Paper-backed fusible web individual pieces are fused to the wrong side of specified fabrics, cut out and then fused together in a motif or individually to a foundation fabric, where they are machine-stitched in place.
Choosing Appliqué Fabrics
Depending on the appliqué, you may want to consider using batiks. Batik is a much tighter weave and, because of the manufacturing process, does not fray. If you are thinking about using regular quilting cottons, be sure to stitch your raw-edge appliqués with blanket/buttonhole stitches instead of a straight stitch.
Cutting Appliqué Pieces
1. Fusible appliqué shapes should be reversed for this technique.
2. Trace the appliqué shapes onto the paper side of paper-backed fusible web. Leave at least ¼" between shapes. Cut out shapes leaving a margin around traced lines. Note: If doing several identical appliqués, trace reversed shapes onto template material to make reusable templates for tracing shapes onto the fusible web.
3. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and fuse shapes to wrong side of fabric as indicated on pattern for color and number to cut.
4. Cut out appliqué shapes on traced lines. Remove paper backing from shapes.
5. Again following fusible web manufacturer’s instructions, arrange and fuse pieces to quilt referring to quilt pattern. Or fuse together shapes on top of an appliqué ironing mat to make an appliqué motif that can then be fused to the quilt.
Stitching Appliqué Edges
Machine-stitch appliqué edges to secure the appliqués in place and help finish the raw edges with matching or invisible thread (Photo 1). Note: To show stitching, all samples have been stitched with contrasting thread.
Photo 1
Invisible thread can be used to stitch appliqués down when using the blanket or straight stitches. Do not use it for the satin stitch. Definitely practice with invisible thread before using it on your quilt; it can sometimes be difficult to work with.
A short, narrow buttonhole or blanket stitch is most commonly used (Photo 2). Your machine manual may also refer to this as an appliqué stitch. Be sure to stitch next to the appliqué edge with the stitch catching the appliqué.
Photo 2
Practice turning inside and outside corners on scrap fabric before stitching appliqué pieces. Learn how your machine stitches so that you can make the pivot points smooth.
1. To stitch outer corners, stitch to the edge of the corner and stop with needle in the fabric at the corner point. Pivot to the next side of the corner and continue to sew (Photo 3). You will get a box on an outside corner.
Photo 3
2. To stitch inner corners, pivot at the inner point with needle in fabric (Photo 4). You will see a Y shape in the corner.
Photo 4
3. You can also use a machine straight stitch. Turn corners in the same manner, stitching to the corners and pivoting with needle in down position (Photo 5).
Photo 5
General Appliqué Tips
1. Use a light- to medium-weight stabilizer behind an appliqué to keep the fabric from puckering during machine stitching (Photo 6).
Photo 6
2. To reduce the stiffness of a finished appliqué, cut out the center of the fusible-web shape, leaving ¼"–½" inside the pattern line. This gives a border of adhesive to fuse to the background and leaves the center soft and easy to quilt.
3. If an appliqué fabric is so light-colored or thin that the background fabric shows through, fuse a lightweight interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. You can also fuse a piece of the appliqué fabric to a matching piece, wrong sides together, and then apply the fusible web with a drawn pattern to one side.