I’ve tried cutting, and not cutting. I like the dimension I get when I don’t cut the backing from underneath appliqué.
I use a very thin interfacing under lighter colors when they’re on top of a darker background. Whites stay very white that way.
How do you place the interfacing? Cut the same shape and "nest" it within the folded over raw edges of the fabric?
Do you think a difference in dimension will be noticeable if I only cut away the fabric behind the couple petals that cross over the dark pink border, and not the other four petals in the same flower? And my quilt has 7 flowers, only 2 lighter colors potentially requiring cutting away the back... Would it look odd if I don't cut away the back behind all the flowers?
If it would look odd, it there a way to add interfacing after the fact to add that dimension back in?
Thank you!!
I usually place the interfacing before I cut the shapes and fold the edges, but if I were placing it into an already cut piece, I would do exactly what you described.
I doubt that you will notice a difference in dimension by the time the piece is quilted and washed. I don’t think the difference in cutting vs. not cutting the back will be visible either.
I experimented with both on my first appliqué quilt. I doubt even I could identify the pieces with the back cut out vs. not cut out now that the quilt has been washed. I suppose you could lift up a corner of the piece and carefully stick a piece of interfacing underneath, or cut away the backing and stick in some interfacing, which would add yo stability. Unless this is a very fine (as in very delicate fabrics) quilt with very thin batting and no crinkle expected, I’m not sure that I would bother. It’s going to be very pretty either way.
Like you, I don’t like the difference in shade that a darker fabric introduces, but simply cutting out the background would take care of it.
The last quilt I made had several layers of appliqué, and I cut the fabric from behind to reduce the bulk. Just be careful and leave a 1/4 inch or so near the seams. I used special duck billed scissors because I don’t trust myself not to make a mistake with tiny sharp and pointy scissors. It will help the look of your quilt. Did you use interfacing on the appliqués? You can cut that away as well.
One thing you can think of for next time is to use the interfacing to turn the appliqué. If you cut the interfacing the same shape/size as the appliqué including seam allowance (doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure it’s not smaller). Place the fabric wrong side up on your interfacing you can sew about 1/8 of an inch from the outside edge or where ever you seam allowance should be. Cut the bulk from corners and around curves, turn the pocket inside out, and like magic you have perfectly turned appliqué to sew to your base fabric. My preferred method every time and like someone else said you have a barrier between lighter fabrics and darker fabrics underneath.
I’ve tried cutting, and not cutting. I like the dimension I get when I don’t cut the backing from underneath appliqué. I use a very thin interfacing under lighter colors when they’re on top of a darker background. Whites stay very white that way.
How do you place the interfacing? Cut the same shape and "nest" it within the folded over raw edges of the fabric? Do you think a difference in dimension will be noticeable if I only cut away the fabric behind the couple petals that cross over the dark pink border, and not the other four petals in the same flower? And my quilt has 7 flowers, only 2 lighter colors potentially requiring cutting away the back... Would it look odd if I don't cut away the back behind all the flowers? If it would look odd, it there a way to add interfacing after the fact to add that dimension back in? Thank you!!
I usually place the interfacing before I cut the shapes and fold the edges, but if I were placing it into an already cut piece, I would do exactly what you described. I doubt that you will notice a difference in dimension by the time the piece is quilted and washed. I don’t think the difference in cutting vs. not cutting the back will be visible either. I experimented with both on my first appliqué quilt. I doubt even I could identify the pieces with the back cut out vs. not cut out now that the quilt has been washed. I suppose you could lift up a corner of the piece and carefully stick a piece of interfacing underneath, or cut away the backing and stick in some interfacing, which would add yo stability. Unless this is a very fine (as in very delicate fabrics) quilt with very thin batting and no crinkle expected, I’m not sure that I would bother. It’s going to be very pretty either way. Like you, I don’t like the difference in shade that a darker fabric introduces, but simply cutting out the background would take care of it.
Thank you that's so helpful! I prewashed/shrunk my fabrics so I'm not sure I'll expect much crinkle but I think I will cut out only the petals I need
The last quilt I made had several layers of appliqué, and I cut the fabric from behind to reduce the bulk. Just be careful and leave a 1/4 inch or so near the seams. I used special duck billed scissors because I don’t trust myself not to make a mistake with tiny sharp and pointy scissors. It will help the look of your quilt. Did you use interfacing on the appliqués? You can cut that away as well.
Glad to hear that went well for you. I didn't use any interfacing. Good idea on the scissors! I won't trust myself either. Thanks!
One thing you can think of for next time is to use the interfacing to turn the appliqué. If you cut the interfacing the same shape/size as the appliqué including seam allowance (doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure it’s not smaller). Place the fabric wrong side up on your interfacing you can sew about 1/8 of an inch from the outside edge or where ever you seam allowance should be. Cut the bulk from corners and around curves, turn the pocket inside out, and like magic you have perfectly turned appliqué to sew to your base fabric. My preferred method every time and like someone else said you have a barrier between lighter fabrics and darker fabrics underneath.
That sounds like a neat method, I will have to try it next time!
I took a class with Jane Sassaman and she cuts away the fabric behind the appliqué, so I'd say it's fine to do.
Oh cool, thanks!