Appliqué for those who don't like Appliqué (method 2)

Treat the fabric the same as before (you can see the flakes of starch on this one) Centre it in place on your background fabric and pin in position.
Using small stitches stitch the bias directly onto the circle. Again stitch slowly using your 1/4" foot.


With this way you need to cut back the fabric. Roll the background fabric out of the way.
I cut about half way between the seam and the edge.

Press it outwards as with the previous post and machine hem down in the same way.

Both these methods take about the same amount of time. What you save in not doing the extra stitching of the first method, you lose in the time spent cutting. In the first method the circle is slightly raised and in the 2nd the bias edge is raised.
With both methods you could cut away the background fabric to give less to quilt through. Or you could cut a slice through and add a circle of batting to raise the appliqué. Or even just cut a circle of batting and use some 505 spray or glue stick it to the back. (either should wash out).

I'm wondering whether to do more like this or do some with navy circles and bright background fabrics.
BTW I gave in trying to find the QuiltPro and have bought another copy. No doubt the disk will show up now..........

Appliqué for those who don't like Appliqué (method 1)

First I starched the fabric within an inch of it's life.
I cut a 6 1/2" circle. I have these lovely circle rulers but using a saucer or something else round would work just as well. Just draw round it and cut with scissors.
I starched this stripe fabric (so you could see the bias when it's done but also because it looks cool). I cut a 1 inch bias strip and handling it gently, I pressed it in half. (Be very careful not to stretch it)

It stitched it on to the circle using my 1/4" foot. I guided it gently round the curve stitching slowing using a small stitch length.

I finger pressed it back.


Then pressed it properly with the iron. My little iron on a stick would have been good to do this.
Then I pressed the back flat.

Centred it on a 9" square of navy fabric. Pinned it in place. Then stitched in the ditch between the bright orange material and the striped bias. I could have left it like that with the bias fabric adding a little dimension to the piece.

But I decided to hem it down. I used stitch 45 on my Aurora which is a blanket stitch. (One stitch forward, one to the side). You could use a very narrow zigzag instead. When you get your 'eye' in after one or two of these you can narrow the stitch down even further. Use an open toed foot so you can see what you are doing.

Easy isn't it?