Quilt Square Applique design by Great Notions.

Since this design is an applique with a satin stitch around the outside edge, it is perfect for making a freestanding design. Start by hooping a water-soluble stabilizer. I like to use a good quality wool felt for projects like this rather than quilting cottons. If you do want to use a quilting cotton, iron a fusible batting to the back before embroidering.

The first color stop is a placement stitch to show you where the fabric should go. Place the fabric and stitch the second color stop to tack it down.

Tape a piece of tear-away stabilizer to the back of the hoop to help support the satin stitching of the applique pieces.

This was not a particularly good job trimming to the stitch lines but it turned out okay because the satin stitching for the star was somewhat generous.

Continue stitching, stopping to place and trim fabric along the way where indicated. In retrospect, I would not add fabric to the red stitching above. The satin stitching for this part of the design was so tiny, it was nearly impossible for me to get the edges covered (and I trimmed them much better than the star fabric).

If I was stitching this again, I would just stitch the outlines and eliminate the red fabric. Either that, or I would add a fusible web product to the back of the red fabric before tacking it to the star. Fusible web would hold the fabric fibers together better, eliminating the shaggy edges, and would fuse to the white star fabric after trimming. Either way, the end result would be much nicer!

When applique is done, remove the tear-away stabilizer from the back of the project. Tape another piece of felt to the back and run the first placement stitch until it completes the outside square of the design. Stop the machine, remove the hoop, and trim felt to the placement/tackdown lines on both the front and the back of the block.

Place the hoop back on the machine and run the final stitch sequence that places a satin stitch edge on the block. Make sure to use the same color thread in the bobbin for this step.

When embroidery is finished, trim water-soluble stabilizer close to the satin stitching and use a wet cloth to wipe the rest away. Grab a wire hanger and a couple of miniature clothespins and you have an adorable mini quilt block that you can hang anywhere. Change up the colors and make one for every season!

Debbie SewBlest