Applique Shadow fix Tutorial

Yesterday while making a test block I ran into a little problem.  Shadowing.  Shadowing is when the background fabric shows through the applique piece.  There are some hard core quilters that would just cut away the background fabric after the applique stitched in place.  Sorry I'm not hardcore.  I'm about as soft and mushy as they come. They sell a soft fusible product just for this issue.  But I'm all about making the best of what I have.  And although the gray fabric will be used as a window, I just don't want the roses shining through the window.  

 So here's my fix.  Double pane windows!  No matter what shape you are making this technique will work.   Since I'm doing raw edge fusible applique I made 2 of the same shape leaving a little extra on the outside of the shape and windowing(cutting out the centers). Fuse them in place.

 It's hard to see in the picture below but I've cut the one on the right just a smidgen smaller on the outside.  The finished shape is the same size, but the extra outside edge is thinner.

 Remove the paper on the one that you trimmed smaller.  Leaving the paper on the other.

 Layer the 2 pieces together putting the one with the paper still attached on the bottom. Do your best to make sure the one on top is centered. 

 Press, fusing them together.

 Cut on the line to make your finished shape.  

 Here's my window

 No more peaking in my window, no shadows, no ghosts.  Its ready to be fused in place and stitched.  

Oh I used Heat and Bond Light Fusible.  Super cheap with a Joann's 50% off coupon!  Buy it by the roll.  

~Lea Anne~

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