‘Reverse Applique’ - day school with Morag Gray

 On yet another dismal day of interminable rain we cheered ourselves up using lovely fabrics to learn this technique from Morag. The first four pictures below are examples of Morag’s work, where she shows how to make the appliqué 3D and textured.

We were provided with a piece of velvet which we trimmed and edged to stop fraying. The idea is to layers contrasting fabrics on the front of the velvet and cut through them after stitching to reveal the velvet. The inspiration of Morag's pieces was Moroccan tiles. We cut a piece of paper to make our design shapes on, and then transferred the design to the back of the velvet. We pinned our contrasting fabrics onto the front, and machine stitched from the back along the lines of the design. (I finally discovered that using metallic thread in the bobbin, instead of on top, took all the grief out of using metallic and sparkly thread - thanks, Morag!)

Once we had attached the fabrics together we started to cut out some holes to fray and decorate. Most of us didn't get much farther, so I have only posted some of the works in progress below as nobody finished their pieces. I hope to add some finished work as when they are completed.

Thanks to Nancy for the lovely cakes!