Quilting Basics •

The following is a reference guide. For more information, consult a comprehensive quilting book.

ALWAYS:

• Read through the entire pattern

before you begin your project. • Purchase quality, 100 percent

cotton fabrics. • When considering prewashing, do so with ALL of the fabrics being used. Generally, prewashing is not required in quilting. • Use 1/4" seam allowance for all stitching unless otherwise instructed. • Use a short-to-medium stitch

length. • Make sure your seams are

accurate.

BASIC TECHNIQUES

Appliqué Fusible Appliqué All templates in Quilter's World are reversed for use with this technique. 1. Trace the instructed number of templates 1/4" apart onto the paper side of paper-backed fusible web. Cut apart the templates, leaving a margin around each, and fuse to the wrong side of the fabric following fusible web manufacturer’s instructions. 2. Cut out the appliqué pieces on the traced lines, remove paper backing and fuse to the background referring to the appliqué motif given. 3. Finish appliqué raw edges with a straight, satin, blanket, zigzag or blindhem machine stitch with matching or invisible thread. Turned- Edge Appliqué 1. Trace the printed reversed templates onto template plastic. Flip the template over and mark as the right side. 2. Position the template, right side up, on the right side of fabric and lightly trace, spacing images 1/2" apart. Cut apart, leaving a 1/4" margin around the traced lines. 3. Clip curves and press edges 1/4" to the wrong side around the appliqué shape. 4. Referring to the appliqué motif, pin or baste appliqué shapes to the background. 5. Hand-stitch shapes in place using a blind stitch and thread to match, or machine-stitch using a short blind hemstitch and either matching or invisible thread. Borders Most Quilter's World patterns give an exact size to cut borders. You may check those sizes by comparing them to the horizontal and vertical center measurements of your quilt top. Straight Borders 1. Mark the centers of the side borders and quilt top sides. 2. Stitch borders to quilt top sides with right sides together, matching raw edges and center marks, using a 1/4" seam. Press seams toward borders. 3. Repeat with top and bottom border lengths. Mitered Borders 1. Add at least twice the border width to the border lengths instructed to cut. 2. Center and sew the side borders to the quilt, beginning and ending stitching 1/4" from the quilt corner and backstitching (Figure 1). Repeat with the top and bottom borders. 3. Fold and pin quilt right sides together at a 45-degree angle on one corner (Figure 2). Place a straightedge along the fold and lightly mark a line across the border ends.