Adventures in applique

2/7/11

I actually finished this project over a month ago, but kept forgetting to post about it. The towels were for my NM bestie Nadia (a belated Christmas gift) and for my cousin Rachel's darling little boy Maxwell (also belated by about two months--I'm telling you the holidays nearly killed me last year).

I followed a tutorial from Crap I've Made, but basically you:

#1 Google yourself an image you like--print it and cut it out

#2 Trace paper outline onto some Wonder Under and cut it out (you have to lay any lettering backwards in order for it to end up facing the right way in the end)

#3 Fuse the Wonder Under onto the wrong side of your fabric, cut around outline, then peel the backing off

#4 Iron on your applique onto your desired surface, following package directions

#5 Stitch around the edge to secure (although it claims you don't have to--I guess it depends on what you're using your item for). I used white thread in the bobbin and clear monofilament in the spool.

 

Remember this fabric? I made Luke a blanket out of it. Nadia and I  have a shared love for owls.

 and orange...

...and cephalopods (isn't this the greatest? I want one for me! It was kind of hard to stitch around, though)

...and spring green (recognize the fabric, Maria?)

Once I made these towels, I had a very strong urge to go buy 20 more (I got them at Wal-Mart, btw--they're microfiber, and a pack of two only costs like $4.00) to churn out some Mother's Day gifts. I will probably still do that. Flat cotton tea towels would work well, too.

(Holy color difference in the photos..) This is a simple cotton baby blanket I made for "Max" using the same applique technique. He lives in Florida so I thought something lightweight would be nice. It's big enough so it can be draped over his car seat to give him some shade, or it can be used on the grass or sand without too much worry. You can pretend that it's perfectly ironed....please.

To-do list (I don't actually make to-do lists, who am I kidding) for this week is to whip up a bunch of receiving blankets--flannel just serged around the edge-- and maybe try out some applique on some Onesies for baby gifts. I'll be sure to post the results!