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appliqué

How to Make a Quilt with Appliqué Shapes

Learn the difference between raw-edge and needle-turn appliqué, pick a beginner-friendly shape, and follow the steps for fusible raw-edge appliqué.

By ThatPainter Team 3 min read
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Appliqué adds cut fabric shapes to a quilt background by stitching them in place. For a first project, choose a simple motif—such as a heart—and decide whether you want exposed raw edges or edges turned under. Fusible web can make positioning easier for raw-edge appliqué, but it is optional; you can also prepare shapes with templates and stitch them by hand.

Choose a shape that suits your first project

Appliqué is a way to sew fabric shapes onto a background to create pictures, decorative motifs, or lettering. You can draw your own design or use a pattern. The International Quilt Museum recommends beginning with simple shapes: straight edges are easier to manage than curves, while a heart offers practice with both curves and points. Keep the fabric flat and uncreased as you plan and arrange the pieces.

A small motif on a pillow, wall hanging, or other small project is a practical way to learn the steps before placing a design on a full quilt. If your design has overlapping pieces, follow its indicated placement order.

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Choose between raw-edge and needle-turn appliqué

The key difference is what happens to the shape’s cut edge. Raw-edge appliqué leaves it exposed and stitches around it; needle-turn appliqué turns the edge under as you hand-stitch it to the background. The table compares the methods without assuming one is best for every quilt.

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Consideration Raw-edge appliqué Needle-turn appliqué
Edge appearance Cut edge remains exposed and is secured with stitching. Edge is turned under as it is stitched.
Typical work Can be machine-stitched; fusible web may hold shapes in position before stitching. Hand-stitched while turning the edge under.
Design considerations Often a straightforward choice for simple shapes; stitch around the outline to secure it. Curves and edges require turning as you sew. Bias edges turn under more smoothly than straight-grain edges, according to the American Quilter’s Society.
Frequent washing and use The available sources do not provide controlled wash-test results or a universal durability estimate. The International Quilt Museum recommends needle turn for quilts or clothing expected to be washed and used frequently; this is guidance, not a guaranteed durability result.

Raw-edge stitches can include satin, blanket, straight, or buttonhole stitches, depending on the look you want and the pattern’s directions. Batik’s tighter weave may resist fraying, but it is not required. With quilting cotton, use an appropriate stitch to secure a raw edge. Neither method has a universally established durability advantage in the available guidance.

Make a fusible raw-edge shape

For this method, paper-backed fusible web temporarily holds the shape in place; stitching secures its edge. Check both the pattern and the fusible web’s instructions: pattern pieces may already be reversed, and heat and pressing directions vary by product.

  1. Choose and check the design. Pick a simple motif. Check whether its pattern pieces need to be reversed for the fusible method; some patterns are already reversed.
  2. Trace the pieces. Trace each required shape onto the paper side of paper-backed fusible web, reversing it if the pattern calls for that.
  3. Fuse and cut. Roughly cut around each traced shape. Following the web manufacturer’s directions, fuse it to the wrong side of the chosen fabric, then cut the shape out on the marked line.
  4. Arrange and fuse. Peel off the paper liner, arrange the shapes on the background in the order shown by the design, and fuse them in place according to the product directions.
  5. Stitch the edges. Sew around each raw edge to secure it. For quilting cotton, options include satin, blanket, straight, and buttonhole stitches; follow the pattern and material directions.
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When you can skip fusible web

Fusible web is needed for the fusible version of raw-edge appliqué, not for appliqué in general. For needle turn, prepare the shape for a turned edge and hand-stitch it to the background. You can draw your own shapes rather than using templates; templates and precut fused shapes are optional shortcuts. Missouri Star describes precut fused appliqué shapes as a beginner-friendly shortcut, but they are not a requirement.

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For method guidance, see the International Quilt Museum appliqué tutorial, the American Quilter’s Society quiltmaking guide, and Annie’s raw-edge fusible appliqué guide. Missouri Star also explains appliqué for beginners and methods and templates.

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