Tutorial-Ragged Edged Applique-Cherry pillow

Do you have something that just makes you happy?

Sewing kind of lights my rockets so to speak!

I want to share with you a technique I do that is very simple, and is wonderful for teaching younger kids to sew!

Raw edged applique is sewing around your applique pattern piece a little less than 1/4 inch away from the edge. It of course can be more than this...but talk about easy! 

No turning under your fabric...which I actually enjoy traditional applique...but this is easy and fun.

 On the raggy roses if you sew more than 1/4 of an inch away from the edge it ruffles like a flower petal after it has been washed and dried. Which is exactly what you want.  The pieces are layered from large on the bottom to small on top to form a rose of sorts.

You sew the roses on the square, then when you finish your squares you sew them all together!

 Below is the finished picture. I love how this lap quilt turned out.

 Below is a table runner from my Etsy shop. I love it too. Love the reds, and the spring colors in the fabric.

 Next I did raw applique on felt for some Christmas pillows on our bed. I hated putting these away I just loved how they turned out. I didn't use a pattern, just scribbled out a design on paper of how I wanted them to look.  Scissors and fabric make me happy!

 This is the first ragged edge applique quilt I made.  I think the pattern was French Raggy or Ragged roses. I gave the pattern away so I don't have it anymore...but the pattern picture shows a quilt in pastel shabby fabrics. It is amazing looking.

You can type in raggy rose applique in Google Images and beautiful quilt pictures pop up!

 Next is a Valentine pillow with a fabric rosette on it to finish it off.  Very sweet.

SO to show you how...it is so easy!

I wanted to make something easy and quick for this tutorial and landed on cherries!

Something small and round for making a cherry pattern piece-Carmex lip balm container!

I drew around it a couple of times to make my pieces.

 Cut the circles out, then decided how big my little background piece was...just a few inches wide.

About 10 x 12 piece of fabric. As you can see I sewed around the cherry pieces...slowly to have more control. No sewing over fingers please! I have done that and it hurts! So pay attention.

Also you want to use thread the color of your pattern piece you are sewing down.

Next I cut two small pieces about 3 inches long of green rick rack for the cherry stems.

When you work with rick rack it frays on the ends so trim it before you sew it to have a clean edge.  Also it can bend by arching it as much as you want.

 I got it into the shape I wanted and using light green thread I sewed it down onto the fabric just a bit over the cherry.

 Next I cut out a leaf...no pattern...just something that looked like a small leaf. It is easier to start bigger, so cut your leaf large then trim until you have the right size.

Sew it down like you did the cherries.  

Next I cut a piece of thin batting to go behind the stitched piece...I used it to give the piece substance because I wanted to sew some buttons on the piece.

Layer your stitched piece onto the batting and then a larger piece behind it.

 I sewed little red buttons in each corner and attached it to a larger piece of red cotton.  Next I added a ragged edge ruffle to the piece...

 Once that was attached I put the stitched piece right sides together with the back piece, I pinned the ruffle down so it wouldn't get in my way while I was sewing. Nothing more frustrating then sewing the ruffle where it is all wadded up because you stitched it 'wonky' and you have to go back and take out part of your stitching!

Next I added a ribbon to the top of the cherry stems to finish off the look.

Blessings,

Debbie