Applique Letters to your handmade gifts for a personal touch

The days are shorter and cooler that means the holiday and gift giving season is fast approaching. Time to make some handmade gifts. A nice way to personalize a gift is by appliqueing the recipients name, initials or as I have done just the first letter of their name.

Two easy ways this can be done are:-
Method One
Purchase ready made applique letters. Follow manufactures instructions to adhere letter to fabric (my letter is by Wrights)
Method Two
Trace alphabet letter in reverse onto the paper side of paper backed fusible web like Wonder under.
Cut out letter and fuse to wrong side of fabric.
Cut out letter from fabric.

Peel off paper and fuse to the right side of project fabric.

Sew around alphabet letter to secure to project.

Pull loose thread to wrong side of fabric.

 



Show and Tell

 I have been making small pouches (approximately 6 x8 inches) using a  free hand machine embroidery dog design this week.

 

Founation Paper Piecing

Foundation paper piecing always looked difficult and confusing to me until I tried it for myself this week using the Thread Spools Pouch project from Quilt Now issue 22.
My thoughts on Foundation paper piecing now are:-
1 this is a good project to use up small fabric scraps
2 very time consuming cutting all the tiny squares and rectangles
3 with the paper guide stitching accurate and straight seams is easy
4 NOT difficult or confusing.
My finished pouch measures 3 x 7 in. A perfect size to store my pens.
You will find more information on this technique here.
What new technique have you tried recently?

Pouches and pouches

My recent makes. The patch pocket was added as an excuse to use some pretty trim. Enjoy!

Wild and Wonderous Butterfly Pouch

 I love the colours of the fabric in the left corner. It's a fabric I found in the clearance section at Joann's last summer. I have used it to make PJ shorts, a cushion and now this small pouch (size 4 x 6 inches).