Teardrops of Love Part 2: Marking, Cutting and Basting Shapes

Welcome to Part 2 of  "Teardrops of Love - a needle turn applique tutorial".   Part 2 focuses on Marking, Cutting and Basting Shapes.

If you missed Part 1: Tools -- click here to read about my favorite tools for Needle Turn Applique and a brief description of how I got started and a little bit about the ladies from whom I learned.

I've posted a PDF (see sidebar) which includes a summary of Part 1 (Tools) and Part 2 (Marking, Cutting and Basting Shapes), along with the Shapes Template needed to follow along with the tutorial.

Let's get started with Part 2:  Marking, Cutting and Basting Shapes

Using the Shapes Template in the "Teardrops of Love" PDF (sidebar) - prepare your freezer paper applique shapes using 1 of 2 methods: 

1.  Run a sheet of freezer paper (paper side up) through your desktop printer - printing the template at 100% scale on the paper side of the freezer paper sheet.

OR

2. Print the Shapes Template on paper and trace the designs onto freezer paper with a black marker or pen.

The Shapes Template includes three different sizes of teardrops and hearts.  I mixed and matched the sizes for the tutorial.  You may want to start with the larger teardrop and heart and work your way to the smaller pieces after a little practice.

Once your shapes are printed or traced onto freezer paper - cut the shapes out along the printed or traced line.

Next, choose the fabrics you want to use for your applique pieces and background.

I used a Charm Pack of "Panier DeFleurs" by French General for Moda for my applique and an 11 x 15 inch piece of neutral French General fabric for the background.  I LOVE French General!

Now position the freezer paper shape on the right side of your applique fabric - be sure to leave 1/8th to 1/4 inch of fabric around the outside of the shape (avoid placing the shape flush in the corner or on an edge).

If you are using more than one shape per piece of fabric, be sure to leave a good 1/4  inch of clearance between the shapes.  This is the edge that will get Needle Turned in a later step.

Iron the freezer paper to the applique fabric with a medium heat dry iron.   Don't be afraid to press hard -- you'll want the freezer paper to adhere well so you can trace around it with your marking tools.

After ironing the freezer paper shape to your applique fabric, place the fabric/shape unit on your Sandboard. 

If you don't have a sandboard, place your unit on any course/rough surface.  This will help stabilize the fabric when marking around the outside of the freezer paper shape.

Now use one of your marking tools to trace around the outside of the freezer paper shape while it rests on your sandboard.  Use your fingers to gently press on the freezer paper while you trace around it with a marking tool.  Marking tools were discussed in this post. 

I used Soapstone to mark the solid red fabric:

A Sewline Pink Fabric Pencil was used on the lighter fabric:

Sewline Pink Fabric Pencil was used on this one too!

Once you've marked around the outside of the template shape,  press around the outside of the freezer paper shape with a Hera Marker.  

The Hera marker will put a crease in the fabric - just enough that when you begin to Needle Turn the crease will enable the fabric to turn a bit easier.

Below is the back side of the teardrop after being marked with soapstone and traced with the Hera Marker.  If you look closely (click on the photo to make it larger), you can just see the indentation in the fabric to the left of the Hera Marker.

Once you've marked and creased your applique shape, you can remove the freezer paper from the fabric.  Be sure you can clearly see the mark once your freezer paper is removed.

Next get out those wonderful Elan serrated edge scissors and trim appx 1/8 inch around the outside of your marked line.  Remember to include the width of your mark in your overall calculation (if your mark is already 1/16 of an inch wide then just cut another 1/16 of an inch outside of the mark).

** Optionally -- leave your freezer paper attached while you cut around the outside of your mark.  The freezer paper helps stabilize your fabric while you are cutting.

Don't fret too much over the width of the cut edge -- You'll always find a way to turn that fabric under - if the edge is to wide, you can trim it - if its too narrow then you'll get creative and use a toothpick or your finger ;)

I've marked and cut a handful of pieces and placed them onto my background fabric.

Now, in preparation for basting, secure the applique pieces to the background fabric with a few Clover Applique Pins.

Ah the JOY of basting.  For me personally, I get really irritated when my applique thread gets caught on pins.  So basting is very relaxing and rewarding for me.  Once a piece is basted and all of the pins are removed, I can sit in a comfortable chair, watch TV, listen to a book or the birds and just stitch.  It's that warm feeling of doing handwork with no interruptions!  I LOVE IT!

I baste with the applique and background laying flat on a hard surface (The June Tailor Cut 'n Press comes in handy for this). Thread a Straw Milliners needle with 12-18 inches of YLI Basting Thread. 

Use your fingers to gently stabilize your fabric while you baste.

Begin basting by taking two small whip stitches (in place) at your starting point.  Doing this will allow you to baste without knotting your thread - allowing your thread to pull out easily once your Needle Turn is complete.

Once you've secured your basting thread continue to baste with a running stitch along the outer edge of your applique piece.

Take several stitches at a time if you're comfortable with it.  Don't pull your thread too taut - you don't want any puckers in your fabric.

Continue around the applique and secure the end of the basting thread as you started it -- with a couple of small whip stitches (in place).  Cut your thread and move on to the next piece to be basted.

If you're just starting out, don't baste your heart shapes until you've Needle Turned your teardrops.  Take a picture of the layout and set the hearts aside for now.

Well -- that sure was a LONG post.  If you have questions or suggestions please leave me a comment -- I love to hear and learn about better methods of doing things.

Stay tuned next week for Part 3: Getting Started with Long Edges - where we actually start to needle turn and stitch!  Woohoo!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!
Hugs,
Karen