DIY Network

Spirals An appliqué techniques that involves cutting away fabric to reveal the design From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-117

Beth Frizzell demonstrates how to create her reverse appliqué spiral design. She'll show how to layer the fabrics and stitch down a paper pattern. Then she'll show how she tears away the pattern and cuts through the layers of fabric to reveal the color she wants. Then she'll show how she finished it off with machine stitching.

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	Spirals
	PDF Celtic knot: click for a downloadable pattern.
	PDF Spiral: click for a downloadable pattern.

Materials:

freezer paper (18" wide roll; available at local craft or grocery store)
scissors
pins
pencil, paper
black marker
cotton batting (cut size: (1) 17"x17")
1-1/4 yd dark fabric (A), cut to (1) 16-1/2"x16-1/2" square, (3) strips 1-1/2"x36"
5/8 yd light fabric (B), cut to (1) 16-1/2"x16-1/2" square
1 yd. muslin or coordinated backing, cut to (1) 17"x17" square
thread to match each fabric color
sewing machine

Wall hanging finished size: 16"x16"

This method can be used on any two-color design. Be sure to choose one that has open areas so that you can easily "reveal" the contrast fabric underneath.

1. Decide on the design. Choose one dark and one light fabric and decide placement of fabrics.

Tip: A light background with dark designs revealed will mean the light-color fabric will be placed on top in the wall hanging "sandwich." For a dark background, the dark background will be placed on top and will be cut away in some areas to reveal the lighter color in the design.

2. Make a pen or pencil drawing of design and shade in contrast areas. If your design has knotwork like this one, be sure to show dashed lines on the pattern to note "unders" in the knotwork. "Overs" will have a continuous line. Trace pattern on freezer paper. Go over pattern on freezer paper with marker, if desired.

3. Make a sandwich backing face down, batting, then both fabric colors face up. The color that goes underneath is the one that you're going to reveal in the design cutouts as you trim away the top fabric (figure A). Hand-baste around the outside to secure the pieces together.

4. Lightly press the freezer paper on a 1 or 2 iron setting to the top fabric. Pin outside design to secure (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

5. Begin slowly stitching with a short, straight machine stitch along every line in the design. If your design has knotwork such as this one, pay attention to the overs and unders of the design. Stop stitching at an over and backstitch. Trim thread and start stitching on the other side of the over. Continue stitching until entire design is stitched through (figure C).

6. When finished, carefully remove the freezer paper. If you used close stitches, it should come off easily (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

7. Using short, sharp scissors, carefully cut away the top fabric in all the areas of the design where you want to reveal the contrasting fabric. Be careful to catch only the top fabric and not snip the contrasting fabric underneath. Cut as close to the stitches as you can without clipping them (figure E).

8. Once you have revealed the contrasting fabric in all the areas desired, choose a complementary thread and use a satin or close zigzag stitch along all stitching, catching all ragged edges under stitching. This will quilt your piece as you go.

9. Press with hot iron to tighten all stitches.

10. Bind to finish (see binding instructions, next page).

11. Add a hanging sleeve, if desired.

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