Raw Edge Applique Tutorial

Give thanks! I must remind myself whenever I moan and groan. Especially with Thanksgiving approaching. I was inspired to make this post for my blog buddy, (at Fire Fly Hill Designs), and attempt yet another tutorial. I was going through the kids old artwork and was thinking about how the "hand turkey" has really become an icon for the Thanksgiving holiday and how it is really very folk-art-esque. If you have your little ones at home, use their hand prints, or maybe have everyone in the family make their own. If that's the case, skip the template plastic and just draw around ever hand directly onto the paper side of the Wonder Under (iron on adhesive).

Materials:
Here is what you need to make 6 place mats for Thanksgiving, or really anytime you want to count your blessings.

1 sheet Template plastic (always good to have on hand)
505 Spray or similar spray adhesive for fabric
Wonder Under (or similar iron on adhesive like Steam a Seam 2)
1/4 Yard fabric with print
1 1/2 yards muslin
1 1/2 yards for the backing
1/4 yd. fabric for binding
cotton or bamboo batting
Water proof stamp ink
Stamps (Stampington.com has an incredible assortment!)
Wash and dry the fabrics. Start by pressing your fabrics so you have a nice smooth start to the project. Cut the muslin and backing to 20"x 16" rectangles. You should have 12 pieces- 6 of each.

Then cut out the outline of your hand on the template plastic, and also an acorn. You can use the over and over.Next, press your Steam a Seam or Wonder Under to the wrong side of your print fabric you are using for the "turkey" and the acorns. Draw your outlines of the hands and nuts and then cut them out. (Follow the manufacturers directions.) Carefully peal off the paper side and place the sticky side of cut outs, right side of fabric facing you, and press.

Now , using the zig zag or button hole stitch, stitch around the applique pieces. Trim threads or any fraying edges. It does not need to be perfect.

Next, stamp or paint on with waterproof ink or fabric paint the message you would like to share:
Peace on Earth
Blessings
Give Thanks
Thank You, etc...

Now, sandwich the mats together.
Backing- wrong side up, spray with 505, lay down the batting next, spray batting with 505, carefully place top of appliqued mat on top of that. Pin randomly, where you will NOT be sewing. Pull the pins out just as you approach them. You can sew in a pattern around the turkey and acorns, or just do some type of grid. Whatever. The size of the mats is quite managable with any sewing machine.

Trim the edges so that the final size is roughly 19" x 15". Bind the edges.

Roast a turkey!