Pieced Heart Applique Tutorial

Our grandmothers, aunt and mother are all quilters and while I love quilting too...I don't seem to get around to making any since they're large projects. I need something quick and easy but that will give me the same satisfaction of putting together scraps of fabric. Here's my solution: pieced applique!

1. Choose 3 pieces of coordinating fabric. I went with my trusty combo of pinks and greens - taken from my stash of scraps. Other choices could be navy and pink, blue and brown, yellow and red, turquoise and red... you get the idea! (Just make sure they are pre-washed and ironed.)


2. Cut fabric into strips that are 1.5 to 2 inches wide and 3 to 6 inches long. No need to be precise! I was too lazy to make them the exact same and it doesn't matter AT ALL! Great, huh?
















3. Sew 2 strips together - right sides together using a quarter inch seam.
















4. Sew the 3rd strip on- same as above.
















5. Iron seams flat toward darker fabric so that they don't show through the light fabric. That's a quilter's rule!































6. Iron Heat N Bond onto the back of the strips making sure to keep seams flat and the fabric flat. Again, no measuring. Watch your fingers! (I use Heat N Bond Lite that you can sew with. It comes on a roll with a purple label at JoAnn's.)



















7. Let cool for a minute!

8. Draw a heart shape onto the Heat N Bond but be careful not to press too hard and poke a hole through to the fabric. I like to use a stencil but the more adventurous might like to draw it freehand and fun! (I find my shapes online, print and trace onto plastic found at JoAnn's in the quilting section.)



















9. Cut out heart.
















10. Iron onto shirt per Heat N Bond instructions. Let cool!
















11. Zig zag stitch around the edges.



















12. Hand sew a vintage button for an added detail.




















*Fabric choices and color combinations are endless!

*The number of fabric strips can vary anywhere from 2 to 5 or more pieces depending on the strip widths and size of the heart. Don't be exact... cut the pieces different sizes!

*Appliques can be added to shirts, placemats, hand towels, bath towels, aprons, bags, scarves, etc.

* Applique shapes are endless. Search online for outlines of shapes or draw freehand.
Stars, numbers, letters, animals, etc...

If you have any questions, leave it in the comments section for us to answer.


















And make sure to find us (and some pieced applique shirts!) at the Lankenau Hospital Christmas Fair  in Wynnewood, PA: December 2, 9:00-5:00, December 3 10:00-4:00.