applecores-the-iron-on-way

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fuse the pre-cut iron ons to the wrong side of your chosen fabrics. Leave a 1/4” seam allowance for each shape (1/2” between two shapes) You can position for fussy cutting if you wish but don’t really need to worry about grain.

Cut out with good scissors leaving an approx 1/4” seam allowance on all sides.

Using a fabric glue pen (just use one edge, you don’t need the full thick line) run a line of glue along the edge of the paper on one end, no wider than the seam allowance (then you should never get sticky fingers). Try to keep it away from the fabric so you won’t end up stitching through glue.

Use your thumb (and thumb nail) to fold over the seam allowance onto the glue – don’t push inwards – just fold until you feel the resistance of the edge of the paper and then push down onto the glue- you don’t want pointy curves – so we want tiny gathers – not box pleats. – just push right on the edge (with the thumb nail or a suitable tool) and let the excess fabric gather up as it needs to – it doesn’t need to be glued flat.

repeat for the other end (only glue outer curves)

To put my applecores together I like to use a lightbox or lightpad.

I join together in rows first – position a glued end on top of an open side of the next core. by using the lightbox you can see exactly where the edge of the paper is and line them up perfectly. Use a few dots of Roxanne’s applique glue to hold them – or just your glue pen for a temporary hold.

Use an applique needle and light matching strong applique thread and applique stitch each turned edge until each row is joined and secure. I use Superior Superbobs – 60 wt polyester thread.

You will then be joining your rows together. They will interlock nicely – can you see below how an outer curved glued edge will always sit on top of an unglued concave edge.

You will tuck the unglued edges under a glued edge. Again use dots of Roxanne’s or your glue pen to hold everything in place.

Then you will need t o use the appliqué needle and stitch to stitch along each row until your ‘panel’ or piece is complete.

If your panel will be pieced into a block leave the edges as is.

if it is going to be appliqued on top of another piece then clip those inner curves on the outer edges and glue the seam allowances to the back. When clipping stop 1-2 threads short of the paper so you don’t get raw threads showing on the front.

happy apple-coring – these shapes are really quite fun! Checkout some applecore inspiration on my Pinterest board

Hugs for today

Helen

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