Adhering Embellishments to Art Quilts

By National Quilters Circle Editors

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Question text

I love the look of decorative embellishments on art quilts, but how do you adhere them to the fabric? Sometimes it doesn’t look like there is any stitching at the top of the embellishments.



Submitted by Debra


Answer text

Hi Debra! This is a great question. It can be so much fun to make these embellishments, but what point do they serve (besides being pretty of course!) if we can’t actually attach them to their intended surface? The answer here is applique.

The best way to applique shapes and designs like these in place without having visible stitches on top is to hand applique using an invisible stitch – or very tiny stitches at the edge of the embellishment almost to where it is hidden underneath. It can be time consuming, but the invisible effect will be so worth it!

Here are some of my favorite embellishments you can try:

Happy quilting!

Ashley

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One Response to “Adhering Embellishments to Art Quilts”

  1. Sandy

    I want to make l large sun appliquéd on a flannel background. I will cut and adhere with heat and bond the circle for the sun and rays around it. Can I then layer the top, batting and back fabric and just secure, quilt or too stitch around it to make my baby quilt. What size do you suggest the finished quilt should be?