Applique with Accuquilt~ final lesson

 Hello everyone, and welcome to the very final lesson in appliqueing with Accuquilt shapes....although keep in mind that my instructions would work for any applique you would like to do ;).

If you missed the first bunch of lessons, I suggest that you start with those, just to become completely familiar with the process. You can find all those previous lessons here:

PART 1:https://myfarmhousequilts.blogspot.com/2025/09/applique-with-accuquiltintroduction.html

PART 2:https://myfarmhousequilts.blogspot.com/2025/09/applique-with-accuquilt-part-2.html

PART 3:https://myfarmhousequilts.blogspot.com/2025/09/applique-with-accuquilt-part-3.html

In this final video I made I try to really focus on how you stitch around your applique shapes and these are a few important reminders:

• Use the NEEDLE DOWN function if your machine has one. Every time you stop to pivot your fabric, you want to make sure your needle ( and applique shapes!) don't shift. Using the needle down function helps you stay in the correct spot. If you don't have that function, just turn your wheel manually until your needle is stuck in your fabric.
• When you are stitching down your applique shapes, the throat plate might want to "suck" your fabric down. Prevent this by using a stabilizer on the back, OR use your hands to hold your fabric taut. ( for more info on stabilizers see my previous posts).
• Try your chosen stitch on a scrap of fabric and adjust the size to what you like. I recommend smaller stitch length and width for smaller shapes ( or more intricate details) and larger for larger shapes ( and more maneuverable details).
• Start stitching with your needle just outside of your applique shape, unless you are using the straight stitch, in which case you want to start a little inside of your shape.

Remember that the stitches I recommend when you are first starting with applique are a straight stitch, a zig zag, a blanket stitch, and a satin stitch ( which is a really closely spaced together zig zag.

Here are the samples of those stitches on my fused pumpkins:

Sample of straight stitch

Sample of zigzag stitch

Sample of blanket stitch 

Sample of satin stitch

When you have overlapping shapes, I like to start with the one that is furthest back and then work on the ones that are more in the foreground.

I really think that watching the video will explain everything way more clearly than I can with photos, so here is the link to my video: https://youtu.be/Jl9ndhU2MVM

And ofcourse, if something is clear as MUD, ask me ;).

For those of you with embroidery machines, I found the following videos for you and I hope they prove to be useful. I do not have an embroidery machine, but from what I understand, when you download the free ( or paid ) designs that go with the Accuquilt dies, you save those to a thumbdrive to transfer them to your sewing machine.

Then you set up your machine with your fabric and hoop, and it will outline stitch whichever design you just downloaded. That is your placement stitch. You then fuse your applique shape right inside that shape following the fusible instructions. Then you are ready to go back to your machine and have it stitch around your applique for you. Sounds pretty cool to me!

Here are the links to those videos:

 link to video regarding using embroidery machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xLW-9lRXik&ab_channel=AccuQuilt

using an embroidery machine with a multiple shape die: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV4IifTqJts&ab_channel=AccuQuilt

Well, this concludes our lessons on applique. I do hope that my posts and videos have been helpful, but, as always, if something is unclear please ask for clarification. I am here to help!

Until next time~happy sewing! ( and p.s. I want to see some applique in our Facebook group!)

Monique

Applique with Accuquilt~Introduction

 Hello everyone, 

I wanted to write up a series of instructions on appliqueing with Accuquilt dies.

It seems there are quite a few people who own applique dies but they don't really know where to start the process. So I am hoping that my series on applique will guide you on your journey! There are also those that seem to think using applique precludes them from piecing. That is simply not true. Most of my quilts have pieced as well as appliqued blocks, and I love combining the two methods!

{my post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of my links I will receive a small monetary compensation, at NO extra cost to you}

Below are some of the quilts I have made using both piecing and applique:

Once you are comfortable using applique you will find limitless posibilities when designing your quilts!

While there are various ways to do applique, I will be focusing on MACHINE applique, using Accuquilt dies, and I will be sharing MY methods.

Are there others who do things differently? Probably. But I can only share what I know and that it what I will be doing :).

I decided to break my instructions into really manageable chunks. This makes it easier for me to put together, but I also think it won't be so overwhelming this way. ( a post covering the ENTIRE process would be pages and pages long....not very user friendly). So read this post, watch the accompanying video, and then gather your materials.  That way you are ready for the next set of instructions  ;).

To start the applique process there are a few items you will need.  I made a video to explain all those and you can watch that here: https://youtu.be/ohqXQkz6Bp8.

So to summarize, in order to do applique with Accuquilt you will need the following, in addition to your usual sewing room items:

fusible web:

a simple applique die: 

and fabric scraps.

Here are some links to some of the items above, in case you need them.

Accuquilt applique dies ( click)~ remember to look for simple, big, rounded shapes!

HeatnBond lite ( click) ~ you may also be able to find this locally at Michaels, Walmart, and sewing centers.

Steam a Seam lite ( click) ~ You may be able to find this locally too.

So gather up your needed items and then you are ready to applique along with me....this is going to be so much fun, I promise!

Until next time~happy creating!

Monique