How Do You Applique With Freezer Paper And Starch
The process of doing applique with starch and freezer paper is pretty simple. All you have to do is trace out the applique shapes on the flat area of the freezer paper.
Creating applique with starch and freezer paper will provide you with a beautiful finish. You will receive a result, which is pretty smooth and accurate.
You can do an applique either with a sewing machine with no hassle. Now that you know how to do the applique with starch and freezer paper, let’s know more about it.
How Do You Applique With Freezer Paper And Starch?
Contents
To create the best applique with starch and freezer paper, you must follow the steps listed below. Check it out!
Step 1: Collect All The Materials
To begin the applique work, you must first gather all the essential items for the job. The things you need are:
- Stiletto
- Iron [Not the steam one]
- Applique needle
- Heavy starch-small paint
- Thread
- Freezer paper
- Liquid school glue [Fabric glue will also work]
- Rotary cutter or fabric scissors
- Paper scissors
- Printed template shapes [You can also use your drawings]
When you have all these materials, you are all set to begin the applique work.
Step 2: Cut The Template Shapes
Cut out all the template shapes from the printed paper. Doing so will enable you to trace them on the freezer paper.
You will come across some of the templates with seam allowance between ? inches to 3/8 inches. But others don’t have them.
If you want to make sure that the templates do not have any seam allowance, it will be a good idea to cut them off.
Step 3: Produce The Freezer Paper Templates
Now, it’s time for you to create the templates from freezer paper. To start the process, cut out four sheets of freezer paper. The size of the form will depend entirely on the size of the templates.
With the wax area down, layer all the four freezer papers. After that, you must apply heat to these layers with the help of an iron.
Check to see whether the wax has melted or not and did the layers of sheets cover themselves. When you end this method, you will earn a solid sheet.
This is something you will need later on when you turn the fabric seams. You can now trace the shapes on the freezer paper on the dull side instead of the shiny side.
After tracing the shapes, cut them out with a paper scissor. If you want the cuts to be smooth as possible, use long strokes of your scissor when cutting the shapes.
Step 4: Make The Fabric Shapes For The Applique
Since the wax side is facing down, you have to lay down the templates of the freezer paper on the wrong side of the material. Use a hot iron and apply it over the entire freezer paper.
You must keep ironing until the freezer paper has stuck on the material thoroughly. Once you are done, with a rotary cutter or fabric scissors, cut off the shape from the material.
When cutting the shape, be sure to leave out about ? inch to 3/8 inch of the material around the templates. It’s okay if the cutting is not that pretty because you have to fold the seam allowance over the template.
Step 5: Prepare The Starch
Take a cap filled with heavy starch from the container and spray it on the template.
Once you have sprayed the starch, use a paintbrush and swirl until a bit of the foam has disappeared. After some time, the entire foam will vanish.
Step 6: Flip The Seams
Take your paintbrush, dip in the starch and apply it on the seam edges. Also, don’t forget to cover the entire seam allowance around the template.
Once you have applied the heavy starch, use your fingers to flip the seam edges slowly and carefully.
After flipping it, iron the seam allowance as it will snug on the template but not too tightly. The template made from freezer paper will stay right in its place because it has completely adhered to the material.
If your fingers cannot take the hotness of the iron, you can use a stiletto, which is a heat-resistance item, as a replacement. You must work all around the template until the entire job is completed.
Step 7: Wait And Replicate
You have to wait for the material to cool down firmly and quickly. After that, you can get rid of the freezer paper template and reform the seam allowance.
To do so, you have to iron it gently and also on the wrong side. Once you have removed the template made from freezer paper, you can reuse it 8 to 10 times.
But you must use the template right before it begins to wrap out of shape.
Step 8: Stitch It In The Background
Now, your fabric shapes are all-ready. You can take them and sew them up on the background material. Play around with the shapes and decide where you want to place them on the background fabric.
When you have decided where you wish to place it, take the glue and put tiny dots on the edges of the seam. After that, you need to put back on the material slowly and carefully.
Once you have placed the shape on the material, press it with your fingers so that it sticks to it firmly. You have to flip over the entire piece and iron it to help the glue set down.
Don’t try to use the iron at the top area of the seam edges as it might produce an indent, which you don’t wish to see.
Stitch the fabric shapes onto the background material so that they get appended enduringly.
Tips You Need To Follow When Doing The Applique
When you are doing the applique, there are several tips that you must follow so that you get the job done quickly and effectively. These tips are:
Tip 1
Don’t think of cutting off any dog ears or material tabs, which you will find sticking out at the corners.
You must tuck them beneath the template shape, which you have made. Do so before implementing the glue.
Tip 2
If you are making concave shapes, the material might gather just slightly, which seems fine.
But if the curves are pretty deep and the gathers are making a bulk, you can cut it off with no issues. Keep in mind to cut down only the threads that are on the edges.
Tip 3
When it comes to convex shapes, you are free to cut within the edges of the seam. Doing so will enable the material to stretch.
You have to get rid of several threads on edge and nothing more than that. If you don’t want to do this many times, try to snip out some curve pieces on the material’s bias.
It will enable the material to stretch even more right across the entire curve.
Various Styles Of Applique You Can Do
There are a variety of different styles of appliques available, which you can opt for. To know what these appliques styles are, check out the information below.
1. Smooth Edge Applique
The smooth edge applique is done with the help of a sewing machine. You need to sew the thread on the raw edges of the appliqued shapes, which will, in return, give a clean and neat finish.
2. Reverse Applique
The reverse applique is just like what the name says. Rather than stitching the material shapes on the background fabric, you have to layer up the materials and sew up a motif right at the top area.
After that, you have to cut away the extra material and show the entire shape below.
3. Decorative Stitch Applique
If you are using the sewing device for stitching work, you can opt for the decorative stitch technique. It will enable you to create eye-catching appliques that will make the entire material stand out.
Do I Need Any Additional Materials For The Applique Work?
Yes, you do need some other supplies when you wish to create the applique. Sharp items, such as the seam ripper, are highly essential. You will also require Straw 10 or Straw 11 needles and Roxanne’s Glue Baste It.
Another thing you need is complementary threads for the applique projects. They are ideal for the applique work will help you greatly if you run out of threads.
Is It Possible To Use The Felt Applique?
In short, of course, you can. When you use the Felt applique, it will enable you to jazz up your skills and applique. You can easily create beautiful shapes with felt fabric.
The good thing about using the felt material is that you don’t have to fold or flip the corner of the subject. It’s because the fabric itself will not unravel. This stands out as one of the easiest and simplest ways to try out appliques.
