Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Applique Stitching Order

I actually started appliqueing my lemon block tonight. I've been so busy that it's a wonder I've had a chance to look at it, and I know it must feel to you like this block is never going to end. Trust me, it feels that way to me too!

With a lot of pieces in this block, I thought it would fun to show you the order that I applique them in. It seems like such a simple concept, but I didn't know it when I first started appliqueing, so perhaps it can help one of you reading this.

The main thing to remember is, back-to-front. In other words, you first applique the pieces at the back, or closest to the fabric, and work your way up to the front. It seems so obvious, but it's something I still think about and plan my blocks accordingly.

To help illustrate what I'm talking about, I numbered the lemons and leaves in the photo below so you can see the order. Number 1 is the first one I would applique down and so on. You'll notice the bowl and rim are gone. They're the last thing
you applique, and honestly, they just get in the way, so I don't even bother with them until everything else is stitched down. (Click to enlarge)

3 comments:

LeKaQuilt said...

I love your lemmon bowl !
The green leafs did IT for this block. Looking foreward to se all of the blocks put toghether :o)

Heather said...

I usually start in the center of the back then either side of it, working my way out since the eye goes to the center of the block first...but I'm self-taught {and often backwards}. It works for me.

Great fabric choices, looks like a wonderful block!

Marianne´s hantverk said...

Nice block,I come back to se the next block

Marianne Sweden