Join Melissa Tippets as she guides you through this fun spring inspired project that combines applique, decorative thread and ruler work. This project is included as part of our Spring Elevate Box Club launching in spring 2025, and can also be found with video instruction on our University.
Jump Into Spring Appliqué Project
By Melissa Tippets
Spring is the perfect time for a fresh new quilting project! In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through making a beautiful Jump Into Spring appliqué quilt featuring vibrant flowers in decorative pots. This step-by-step guide includes techniques for preparing and appliquéing your pots, adding decorative stitching, and quilting beautiful floral designs.
Materials Needed
- Fat quarter for the background (I used Henry Glass Linen Closet fabric)
- Fabric for pots (terra cotta tones work well)
- Fabric scraps for flowers, leaves, and stems
- Tracing Paper (I used WhisperLite, but you can use preferred appliqué stabilizer)
- Fusible web (such as Sew Steady TempLee Fuse)
- Appliqué pressing mat (Sewmatic Teflon Pressing Mat recommended)
- Westalee Design Decorative Thread Ruler Foot and templates (Spin-e-Fex Feather 3-4, 12” Arc, Crosshair ruler)
- Heat-erasable fabric pen
- Sewing machine with decorative stitch options
- Light box or Sew Steady Table with Light Stick
Step 1: Prepare the Background
- Choose Your Fabric: Select a light-colored fat quarter for your quilt background to make the appliqué elements stand out.
- Trim & Press: Cut off the selvage and square up the fat quarter to approximately 17” x 17”.
- Set Aside: Once squared and pressed, set your background fabric aside.
Step 2: Create the Pots
You can choose between two appliqué techniques:
- Tracing Paper Method
- Raw Edge Appliqué with a Light Box
Option 1: Tracing Paper Appliqué
- Print the pot template (Pic 1).
- Cut a fabric piece slightly larger than the pot template.
- Cut Tracing Paper big enough to cover the pot.
- Trace the pot onto Tracing Paper using a heat-erasable pen.
- Layer the traced Tracing Paper over the fabric (right side up).
- Stitch along the traced line using a straight stitch.
- Trim ¼” away from the stitched line.
- Cut a small slit in the Tracing Paper (not the fabric!) and turn inside out.
- Press well to ensure edges are neatly tucked under.
Option 2: Raw Edge Appliqué
- Print the pot template.
- Cut a fabric piece slightly larger than the pot template.
- Use a light box or Sew Steady table to trace the pot onto the fabric.
- Cut out along the traced lines. You can leave the edges raw or finish with a blanket stitch.
Note: Do not add fusible yet!
Step 3: Decorative Stitching on the Pots
- Choose decorative stitches to add character to the pots.
- Use your 12” arc ruler to measure stitching lines ¼” or ½” apart.
- Stitch your designs before fusing the pots onto the background.
- Make 3 pots (2 large, 1 small).
Step 4: Fuse the Pots
- Use an appliqué pressing mat for clean fusing.
- Cut fusible web large enough to cover each pot.
- Iron fusible onto the back of each pot.
- Peel off the fusible backing.
- Arrange the pots on your background fabric (~1” from the edges).
- Press with a hot iron to fuse the pots in place.
Step 5: Fill the Pots with Flowers and Stems
- Apply fusible web to the flower fabrics.
- Cut flowers and arrange them on the background fabric. Do not fuse yet.
- Cut green fabric for leaves and stems (4” x 6” scraps work well).
- Apply fusible web to the stem/leaf fabric before cutting.
- Prepare your machine for ruler work using the Westalee Design ruler foot.
- Stitch stems using the Spin-e-Fex Feather template:
- Start at the top of the flower pot and stitch up one side.
- Travel ¼” with a spacing gauge and stitch back down.
- Stitch leaves using the Spin-e-Fex template:
- Stitch the first side, stop with the needle down, flip the template, and stitch back.
- Add vein details to the leaves.
- Cut out stems and leaves carefully.
- Press stems and leaves into place.
- Fuse flowers onto the stems.
Step 6: Quilting the Flowers
- Mark rotation lines using the Westalee Design Crosshair ruler.
- Use the 4” Spin-e-Fex Feather template to quilt 8 petals on large flowers.
- Use the 3” Spin-e-Fex Feather template for the smaller flower.
- Quilt contour lines to add texture.
Finishing Touches
- Once all pieces are fused and quilted, square up your quilt if needed.
- Add binding of your choice.
- Embellish with our Acrylic Flower Buttons.
- Enjoy your beautiful Jump Into Spring appliqué quilt!
Final Notes
This project is a great way to practice appliqué techniques while creating a vibrant spring-themed quilt. Whether you choose Tracing Paper for turned edges or raw edge appliqué, your flowers will pop beautifully against the background!
Happy quilting!
