How to Use Cuddle® Minky Fabric for Applique with Shannon Fabrics

This week on Sew Together Tuesday, our National Educator Teresa Coates takes you step-by-step through how to use Cuddle® minky fabric for applique. Teresa will be doing raw edge applique, and she'll cover prepping your fabric, as well as what stitches will make your finished work look best!

What tools should you use?

You can use dies (from AccuQuilt or others) to create your shapes, or you can do more traditional applique. You'll need some good pins, stretch needles, sharp fabric scissors, adhesive spray, a stiletto, a paper backed double-sided fusible, and the walking foot for your machine.

How should I start?

Adhere your fusible to the back of the fabric you want to cut into shapes. (You absolutely can use your iron for this bit, but be sure to let it cool before you remove the backing. Also you may wish to leave the paper on through the die cutter - it adds stability.)

Place the fabric nap side UP, so you don't get bits of the Cuddle in your die cutter! Clean up the edges (just rub them) to remove excess Cuddle "dust" before you sew. Next iron your shape onto the backing.

If you prefer to use templates and markings, you can then cut the shape out and adhere it to the backing using spray adhesive.

Now it's time to move to the sewing machine! Check your stitches and see if they are the width you want them to be. If you're using larger pieces of fabric (like background squares) you may want to pin it down to ensure that nothing stretches or moves.

Teresa uses a combination of blanket and zig zag stitches for her applique, depending on how much she wants those stitches to show up. She also shares examples done both with stabilizer and on batting.