Community Quilt Project, Applique Block description and templates

Applique Daisy Block

Jessica Chin January 2, 2024

Applique has a long and rich history, dating back centuries and found in cultures around the world. While the exact origins are unknown, evidence of its use exists in ancient cultures, adorning not just quilts but clothing, saddle blankets, and even tents. By the 18th and 19th centuries, applique became a popular technique in quilting, particularly in Europe and America. Wealthier individuals commissioned quilts with elaborate, intricate applique designs, often featuring realistic motifs from nature or figures in detailed narratives. During the Depression era, applique took on a more practical function, with quilters incorporating appliqued scraps and patterns of children into their work. Today, applique remains a vibrant and diverse art form, used by quilters of all skill levels to create stunning and unique pieces.

Step 1: Cut your background square for the appliqué block at least 1 1/2 to 2 inches larger than the finished size. The larger square will give you the room to square up your block if needed. If the block is intricate it can actually shrink as you add all the appliqué pieces.  For this block the finished size will be 6,  make sure to cut the background from the cream fabric provided.

For the steps below you will want to choose your preferred method of applique; hand turned applique, fusible, smooth edge, raw edge etc.

Step 2: using your  template create the petals from the coordinating fabrics, 4 of each color. use the center circle from the coordinating template, choose one of the coordinating color fabrics.  If using a hand turned technique make sure to account for your seam allowance.

Step 3: using your preferred method, you’ll want to center your applique pattern on your background fabric.  I use the folding method to find the center of the background block and place my applique piece accordingly.

Step 4:  Applique as desired, when finished size down your block to 6".