Bee Happy Quiltalong Step 4

This site contains affiliate links from which we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Welcome to Step 4 of the Bee Happy Quiltalong!

Today we’re going to get started with the applique for the Bee Happy Blocks! We’ll be cutting out and ironing on…. 🙂

I tested out the applique pattern I made up on this scrappy block:

They are not the same shape as the Go! Feathers (afflink), but I think they look pretty good, don’t you?

STEP 4 OF THE BEE HAPPY QUILTALONG

There are a few different options for the applique.

1. If you want to do the wings and body of the bee different like this block:

You will need:

40 wings

20 bodies

2. If you want the wings and bodies to all be the same, like the scrappy block at the top of this post, you will need 60 applique pieces

3. If you want to do it all scrappy you’ll also need 60 applique pieces like on this block:

I’m sure there are many other options, so I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!

For the rest of this post, I’ll be giving instructions on how to make the applique pieces with the Go! cutter and then with the template.

Using the Go! Feather Die

For the first option of using two different fabrics, cut strips that are 5 1/4″ wide:

Cut your fusible webbing into 5″ x 3 3/4″ rectangles and press them to the wrong side of the fabric using steam and leaving a little gap between the two:

Fold them over, fabric sides to each other and place on the feather die:

Don’t forget to put the cutting mat on before you run it through the Go! cutter!

The reason why I suggest putting the fabric sides facing each other, is because once I didn’t do that, and instead put them through with the paper facing each other and not attached, and this happened:

So folding it over with fabric against fabric makes it less likely to move and comes out nicely on the other side:

Using 2 1/2″ scrappy squares with the Go! Feather Die

If you are using 2 1/2′ square scraps like I am for my scrappy version, first cut the fusible webbing into 2 1/4″ squares and press them to the wrong side of your fabric squares using steam:

Place three squares at a time on the die like this:

Don’t forget the cutting mat:

And you will get this:

USING THE Petal Template

If you are confident with applique, download the template above, then click the button below to skip down to some raw edge applique tips!

Print out the applique template:

Trace the template onto your fusible webbing:

Cut around the petal, NOT on the line, then place on the wrong side of the square and press using steam:

Now cut ON the line:

And here you have it, not as much waste of fusible webbing as using the feather die:

If you are using strips of fabric, you can of course trace and press like this:

Raw Edge Applique Tip

When doing raw edge applique, it is good to avoid touching the side of the applique shape as much as possible. So when you are taking the paper off the applique, use some sharp scissors and SCORE the paper in the middle like this:

“Scoring” simply means cutting into the paper using your scissors like a knife, and not cutting through the fabric 🙂 As you do more applique you will get used to how much pressure to use.

Then peel the paper away from the fabric from the middle out:

Don’t stress or obsess!

When you are placing the petals on the block, don’t stress or obsess with how you are putting them down! Just eyeball it:

No one is going to notice when the quilt is ready that the petals in each block are not in the exact place.

Unless you are making this for a quilt show – then get the ruler out and go ahead and get obsessed 🙂

And that is it! Next week we’ll start sewing down the pieces…

Phew! If you made it through this far you have done well!! I just wanted to be sure that beginners or less confident “applique-ers” had a bit of extra help….

SHARING IS CARING!

• If you are on Facebook, join our group “At Home with Joy” to share progress pictures.
• Like our Facebook Page to be reminded of new posts
• Follow us on Instagram and use the hashtag #beehappyquiltalongwithjoy if you want to share your progress!
• And please share the Bee Happy Quiltalong on your favorite social media platform – I would love to brighten the days of as many people as we can in these crazy times…

See you back here on Saturday!

Linking up with Colour & Inspiration Tuesday