Welcome to the Eternal Love Goddess Quilt Along! This week we're going to get the party started with fusible applique. In this tutorial you'll learn how to trace and cut the goddess quilt shapes from fusible web, and how to fuse and cut out the pieces in fabric.
Learn the basics of fusible applique in this new quilting tutorial:
Find everything you need to create your own Eternal Love Quilt right here:
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Fusible Applique Basics
Step 1 - Trace the shapes
The first step to fusible applique is to trace all of the shapes in the quilt pattern and transfer all of the markings, dashed lines, shape number, and fabric letter onto one side of the fusible web. I like to transfer everything to the side with marks because that side usually seems to lift off easier than the plain side.
There's a lot of information on each shape that will aid you in constructing this goddess quilt so you'll want to take your time tracing each shape and transferring over all the marks, words, and numbers included on the shape.
There is a shortcut if you have an inkjet printer - you can print pages 11 - 18 directly onto the fusible web sheets. This will waste a bit of fusible web, but it will be a lot faster and ensure you have all the information you need on each piece without having to spend hours tracing.
DO NOT print onto fusible web with a laser printer. It will be the last thing you ever print!
Step 2 - Cut out the applique shapes from the fusible web
This step couldn't be simpler: cut out the shapes leaving at least 1/4 inch of fusible web on all sides.
The only exception are the pieces that were split in half to fit the page. Piece 14, 23, 27 and 30 all have an A and B side. Cut these pieces out with 1/4 inch on all sides. Then trim the side with a double black line exactly on the outline.
Step 3 - Fuse the fusible web to the fabric
Make sure to watch this video first to see how to prepare your fabric for fusible applique.
I always prewash my fabric, especially when working with batiks and when working with colors like blue, purple, and red that have a tendency to bleed.
Separate all the fusible web shapes by the color letter indicated on the shape. Place the fabric right side down on a firm pressing board.
Peel off the paper from the back of the fusible web and place the shape on the fabric, making sure to leave at least 1/4 inch of space all around the shape.
With the split pieces, arrange the A side on the fabric first, then place the B side second, lining up the edges with double black lines so the pieces butt up against one another perfectly, but do not overlap.
Once all the pieces have been placed on the fabric, follow the instructions on your fusible web to fuse the appliques in place. I press usually for 3-5 seconds with a hot, dry iron for this first fuse.
Step 4 - Cut out the Applique Shapes
To cut out the applique shapes, first I roughly cut them out of the fabric, leaving 1/4 inch or more fabric all around the edges. This is just a quick chop to get the shapes split apart so they're easier to work with individually.
It helps to pull out a plastic bin or even a mixing bowl to keep all the little pieces organized. Once you get the pieces cut apart, now the real cutting can begin.
Scissor Check Up - At this point your scissors might be getting a bit sticky. Yes, fusible web is glue and yes, it will come off on your scissors! The good news is you can easily remove it. I use a little alcohol wipe and carefully clean off the blades of my scissors before cutting the final edges of the shapes from fused fabric.
Using a pair of sharp, comfortable scissors, cut out the shapes carefully using the following rules as your guide:
Single solid outline - cut on the line.
Solid outline plus dashed line - leave 1/4 inch of fabric / fusible web along that edge.
The easiest way to remember this is Extra Line, Extra Fabric.
If there is an extra line on the piece, make sure to leave a bit of extra fabric along that edge. Sometimes you will have a piece that has a dashed line only for 1/2 an edge. In that case, where the dashed line ends, clip down to the outline and cut cleanly along the outline where you have just the single line.
Once you cut out the shapes exactly, place them in a plastic bin or tray so they don't get knocked around too much. The edges can begin to fray at this point so handle your applique shapes with care.
Eternal Love Quilting Homework
This is a big step in the applique process so your homework this week is to get your fusible web traced, cut out, and your shapes cut out as well.
Jump to the next post in the Eternal Love Quilt Along
Click Here to jump to Step 2 - Building a Quilt Top Using Fusible Applique
Would you like to join in the fun and make the Eternal Love Goddess Quilt with me? All you need is the quilt pattern to get started. Find links to all of the things mentioned in this tutorial right here:
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Let's go quilt,
Leah Day
6 comments
Thank you SO MUCH for the Boo Boo allowances Leah!
Hi Barbara – Yes, I like the Warm Co. Steam a Seam much better. I tested all the fusible webs I could get my hands on and found a lot of them evaporated too easily or worse, added strange lines or texture to the fabric. Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 is my favorite, but as I showed in the video, no fusible web is perfect! Test and see which web you like best!
I used the Steam-a-seam that came with the kit—by the Warm Co. Do you prefer this brand over the Pelion light steam a seam II?
Yes, we definitely have a new video this week for putting the pieces together. You can find it at: https://leahday.com/FusedQuilt
Hi Leah- what an awesome project! My appliqué pieces are all ready to fuse. Yippee! Is there a video to accompany that process? I don’t seem to see it. Or, are we just to follow printed diagrams that are part of your pattern?
Thanks
Awesome