Using templar for small applique

 First I want to thank all of you for your support and cheerleading me to stick with this project.  I've put everything else on hold to prep these blocks for hand stitching.  

The Distelfink(birds) head feathers  can be quite tricky to make so I thought I'd share with you how to get the smooth round tops. 

When working with such tiny pieces it helps to have a sturdy applique template.  Templar is a wonderful product that's heat resistant.  Well... to a point, I've melted it on the highest setting of my vintage iron.  So make sure you read the instructions.  The EZ no melt Mylar is my favorite.  It's as clear as glass and holds up well.  And another plus is it's the cheapest.  With a 50% off at Joann's its almost free!

It also comes in white.  Not a good choice for tracing applique.

At the bottom of my list is the one below.  

And here's why.  The larger applique piece below is made from this product above.  No matter how low I set my iron the Templar wants to distort.  However it's not melting, it just gets wavy.  It's thinner and costs more.  There's a couple good things about this product, #1 is you can print on it using your printer.   and #2 is filing off the pointy mishaps is easier with this product.

So the first thing we need to do is make a template by tracing and cutting.  One of the great things about this product that you can't do with freezer paper templates is if your cut piece has little pointy spots on the rounded edge it can be filed away with fingernail file or sandpaper.  I prefer a fingernail file or emery board.

 Trace the template to the fabric and cut your fabric leaving a little less than a quarter inch seam allowance.  No need to clip those rounded edges, just do a running stitch around the top half, leaving thread tails on both sides.  

 Using a paint brush to apply starch around the edge.  TIP:  I use Sta-flo starch concentrate diluted to about 50/50.

 Any pointy device or scissors will work to hold the template in place as you pull both thread tails.

 Keep a hold on those tails as you press the rounded top.

 Now press each side carefully, you could use your scissors or pointy device to hold it if you're not so brave.

 Carefully remove the Templar and give it one more press from the right side and then cut of the thread tails.  

Super easy and super smooth!  

~ Lea Anne ~

I'm running out of free patterns to link to at the bottom of my post.  If you have one you'd like to share send me a link and I'll share it!