Welcome to the exciting world of modern appliqué techniques! In today's blog post, we're delving into the art of bias tape appliqué. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just starting out on your sewing journey, bias tape appliqué offers a versatile and visually stunning way to add dimension and personality to your projects. For this year’s block of the month program, we are exploring a different modern applique technique each quarter. There is help available at all guild sew days and every Sunday in the small group meetup on zoom, posted in the members-only section, and held from 2 pm to 6 pm weekly.
Step 1: Creating Bias Tape
To kick off our journey into bias tape appliqué, let's start by creating our own bias tape. Begin by grabbing a fat quarter of fabric and follow along with this comprehensive tutorial on how to make a continuous strip of bias tape. [hyperlink to the tutorial video].
Step 2: Preparing Your Background Fabric
Next, select a contrasting background fabric for your appliqué project. Ensure it's pressed and cut out to measure 20" x 20" (remember, the finished block will be trimmed down to 18.5" x 18.5").
Step 3: Watching the Experts
Now, let's draw inspiration and gain valuable insights from the experts in bias tape appliqué. Check out this incredible video tutorial by Latifah Saafir [ hyperlink to the video]. Latifah's expertise and innovative techniques will guide you through the process, from start to finish. Check out this one too (link to the video)
Step 4: Applying Bias Tape Appliqué
With your bias tape prepared and background fabric ready, it's time to dive into the appliqué process. Follow Latifah's instructions closely as you begin to apply the bias tape to your background fabric. Experiment with different designs, shapes, and patterns to bring your vision to life.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Once you've completed your bias tape appliqué design, take a moment to admire your handiwork. Trim the finished block down to 18.5" x 18.5" for a polished look. Consider adding additional hand-quilting stitches to enhance the overall aesthetic of your project.
Conclusion:
Congratulations on exploring the art of bias tape appliqué! We hope this step-by-step guide has inspired you to explore new techniques and unleash your creativity in your quilting and sewing endeavors. Stay tuned for more exciting tutorials and tips on modern appliqué techniques. Happy stitching! If you are posting on social media please add the hashtag #portlandMQG so we can see and celebrate your work!
P.S. As promised here is an advanced applique project once you have gotten some practice in. This advanced applique project is a map of the best bike paths in Portland. To create a larger outline for this applique project we went to the free website, blockposter.com, and had it expanded into 6 pages for easy printable copies at home, then taped them together to create the full layout.
