Reverse applique quilt tutorial

Hello friends!

Because from time to time I receive messages like this from quilters: “These quilts are amazing, but what exactly is the reverse applique technique?,  I decided to share with you a

Reverse Applique Quilt Tutorial

I made my first little piece in July 2017 and the more I use and design, the more I love this FABULOUS technique.

Let’s summarize the technique in a few words, so you know from the start why I say it is fabulous. There are a few reasons:

1. You cut out ONE design and end  up with pieces for TWO quilt tops. How about receiving a whole set of applique pieces as a gift? You don’t pay anything for it,  you don’t work,  you don’t spend time (sometimes hours). It does not matter how complicated the design is!  CUT ONCE, ENJOY TWICE.
2. You don’t have to mark the design on fabric. How about making two FUSIBLE WEB applique quilts without marking anything? I think it’s pretty cool!
3. You don’t mark on fabric, you don’t have to wash the quilts to get rid of marking lines. I love this, too!

Let’s start this reverse applique quilt tutorial!

First, you transfer the design to fusible web. Much easier than to transfer to fabric, because fusible web is transparent. Then you fuse fusible web to the back of a fabric.

Then with a hobby knife, you cut out the design. I LOVE this step… it’s relaxing.

You keep the cutout pieces safely- you will use them later.

The fabric with entire design cut out.

View from the back.

You remove the paper backing and keep it intact- you will use it later.

By the way, my favorite fusible web brand is HeatNBond- it’s so easy to remove the paper backing from fabric.

Then you fuse a “backing” under your cutout fabric.
This technique is called REVERSE APPLIQUE  and this is only half of the wonder of this technique.


Now for the second part…

Place the paper backing on another fabric.

In the “hole” of the paper you place the pieces you cut out in the previous steps.

See? No marking!

Just a design on fabric! With so little effort!

Then you remove the paper and fuse the pieces. A second top in no time!

So you can imagine what you can do with different fabric combinations.

Different colors, different textures…

I made a double-sided tote with my cutout hearts.

Once the panels are quilted, it takes less than 30 minutes to assemble the bag.

There are so many gradation fabrics on the market  and they work great with this design.

I made a table runner and used the block design twice, but you could make pillows or wall hangings.

I don’t have enough words to say what FUN this experience is.

Details about the way I quilt these pieces- in another blog post!

If you want to make your own quilts, buy the pattern below.

And if you are new to my blog, I am glad to show you other designs I made, so you can see that the technique has potential!!

Happy quilting!