Happy Halloween Blog of the Month, Part 1a

Hi! Welcome to our Happy Halloween Blog of the Month tutorial. Every month I will be sharing tips and techniques to make this delightful quilt. So, let's get started.

Gather your supplies, the pattern, and fabrics. Cut apart the placement patterns and the pattern sheets to make them more manageable. This month we will be working with the Skeleton and the Ghost.

Follow the directions for your fusible web and trace the pattern pieces (with names and numbers) to the paper side of the fusible. Be sure to trace from the pattern sheets and not from the placement pattern. I'm using Lite Steam-a-Seam 2 (LSAS2). One of the paper liners will remove easily and then I'll trace the pattern on the liner that is still attached to the web. Note that the patterns are reversed for fusible web applique for convenience. Save the fusible web paper liners to use as fabric protectors when fusing applique pieces.

Trim fusible web on all medium to large applique pieces about 1/4" on either side of penciled line. This method will keep the fabric soft and not stiff, especially where applique pieces are fused over other pieces. Cut pieces apart and sort according to color. All of the pieces below will be fused to a white fabric. Save the larger pieces that are cut away (such as the inside of the ghost) to use again.

It is important to test the fabrics to see if they need to be lined. Place the fabric over the dark background. If you can clearly see the dark fabric you will need to line it. I used the same solid white fabric that I am using for the skeleton to line the skeleton fabric and the ghost fabric shown below. I cut a piece of fabric larger than the ghost pattern and cut a matching piece of fusible web and solid white. Iron the fusible web to the wrong side of the ghost fabric, peel off the paper backing and fuse to the solid white. Be careful not to scorch the fabric. The photo shows the paper liner being used to protect the fabric.

Fuse the pattern pieces to the fabrics of your choice. I lightly fused the LSAS2 to my fabrics. If you are using our kit you will need to refer to the Fabric Chart that was enclosed with your kit as some fabrics will be used more than once. Feel free to substitute fabric from your stash if you want more variety. The photo below shows the fusible web for the ghost body ready to fuse down to the wrong side of the lined ghost fabric. Take care not to distort the shape when pressing this large of an applique.

Cut out all of your pieces on the penciled lines and peel off the remaining paper liner.

Place the Applique Pressing Sheet over the placement pattern. You can clearly see your pattern.

Place your pieces over the placement sheet in numerical order. When you are pleased with the arrangement, lightly fuse them together. For the ghost, fuse the eyes, lids, and nose into place on the ghost body. Lightly trace the smile lines and the eyeball placement--you might need the help of a light box or a sunny window. For the skeleton, fuse the hat and band to the top of the skeleton head. Lightly trace the eye and nose sockets and teeth. Take a small scissor with a very sharp blade and cut out the eye and nose sockets.


Now, to prepare the background fabric. Cut twelve 10 x 12 1/2" pieces from background fabric. If using the background fabric supplied in the kit, cut three 12 1/2" strips across the width of the fabric. Next, open the strips and trim into four 10" pieces--four different shades of purple. These pieces are oversized to allow for a neat final trim after the applique is finished.

Use the darkest backgound piece for the ghost. Place background fabric right side up over placement sheet. Make sure there is extra fabric around the placement sheet on all sides. You can see in the photo where the placement sheet is and how much fabric is left around it. Place fused applique ghost on background, aligning shape with placement sheet. Fuse ghost to the background fabric following fusible web instructions.

Use the next darkest background piece for the skeleton. Place background fabric right side up over placement sheet as above. Place eye and nose pieces in place and fuse to background.

I lightly sprayed the wrong side of the skeleton around the eye and nose sockets with 404 Spray and Fix to bond the fabric in place around the sockets. Fuse the skeleton head over the eyes and nose and then add the rest of the pieces. You can see how I use the paper liner to protect the applique when I fuse.

Voila!!! We are now ready to applique. I will post Part 1b in a day or two. If you have any questions, please leave a comment with your email addy or send me an email at millilyn@aol.com. Have fun!

Lynda