We're back for more applique fun!
Placing the pieces on the background fabric can test your patience, especially if there are lots of small pieces. There are tons of methods, this one works for large projects and dark backgrounds. You could use a light box for smaller projects, but I prefer to eyeball placement, and sometimes fiddle about with how I want it to look.
One other handy method for dealing with dark backgrounds is in this YouTube clip: Craft Mad Applique Technique
Step 1. Fold the background fabric in half, then in half again. Press the edges, gently with an iron, or use a roller. This will lightly mark the centre of the fabric.
Get your favourite marker and mark these lines, it'll be easier to see than the folds. I used a white chalk marker. The next steps were done on a design board as I used pins.
Step 2. Fold the pattern in the same manner. Refer to the centre of the pattern, I worked my way from the centre outwards.
Step 3. Get the corresponding piece, in this case number 50, and place it on the background.
Step 4. Use your favourite applique pins and glue to tack the piece in place. This isn't required for smaller projects, but with this large one we need to make sure everything stays in place while doing the final press.
Peel the backing paper off each piece before tacking down. Use a very small amount of glue, I used a few small dots. Then use a few pins to keep the piece in place until the glue dries.
I didn't tack each piece down as I went, I just did the centre piece then got the placement right for all the others before tacking them down.
For very small pieces it was helpful to use tweezers.
Ok, after what seemed like hours (it wasn't but felt like it!), all pieces are in place, tacked with a tiny amount of glue, and pinned while the glue dries.
Step 5. Take out all the pins and carefully press using no steam and the pressing mat. I've also used some woven fusible interfacing on the back, not compulsory but really stabilises the fabric for machine stitching.
Done! Now for some thread colour selection and groovy curvy stitching - yay!