Level: Intermediate

Kim loves using the MC6500P for her appliqué quilts. She is the author of Simple Blessings 14 Quilts To Grace Your Home from The Patchwork Place. Kim shares her expertise of appliqué in these colorful little mug mats that can be stitched in a jiffy using fabric scraps and remnants that are already on hand in your sewing room. Perfect for gift giving, a single mat can be tucked into a card as an unexpected surprise or you can stack several together and tie with a pretty bow.

Finished size is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".

Janome Supplies Required:

• Memory Craft 6500 Professional (or any Janome Sewing Machine with Zig-zag)
• 1/4 Seam foot O
• Custom Crafted Zig-Zag foot
• Blue Tip needle 75/11

Fabric and Notions Required (for one Mug Mat):

• One square 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" light plaid or print for background
• Scraps of assorted prints for appliqués
• One square 7" x 7" of backing fabric
• One square 7" x 7", of cotton quilt batting
• One strip 2 1/2" x 22" medium or dark print for binding
• .004 Monofilament thread for the needle
• All purpose sewing thread - neutral color for bobbin
• Iron and ironing board with a flat, non-puffy pad
• Freezer paper
• Inexpensive scissors for cutting paper
• Embroidery scissors
• Fabric glue stick
• No. 8 Perle cotton in a neutral color
• No. 5 Embroidery needle
• Seam sealant

Fabric Preparation:

1. Apply a thin line of seam sealant around the perimeter of the 4 1/4" background fabric square to prevent fraying during the appliqué process.
2. Fold the 4 1/4" background square in half diagonally, right sides together. Using a hot dry iron press a crease from corner to corner. Re-fold the square and press a second diagonal crease.

Appliqu_ Pattern Piece Preparation:

1. Use a pencil to trace the following appliqué patterns onto the paper side of the freezer paper:
   - 4 of pattern A
   - 1 each of patterns B, C, D, and E
2. Cut out the paper pattern pieces exactly on the drawn lines.
3. Apply a small amount of fabric glue stick to the paper side of each pattern piece.
4. Affix each piece to the wrong side of a fabric scrap with the waxy side facing up.
5. Cut out each appliqué, adding a scant 1/4" seam allowance around the paper shape.
   Note: It is not necessary to add a seam allowance to the bottom edge of pattern A where it is overlapped by another appliqué.
   
6. Clip the fabric seam allowance around all curves, stopping two or three threads away from the paper edge. Smaller curves, such as those contained in pattern E, should be clipped at approximately 1/4" intervals to enable the fabric to ease around the shapes. Do not clip the seam allowance at outer points.
   
7. Use the point of an iron on a hot, dry setting to press the seam allowance of each appliqué over onto the waxy side of the paper pattern piece. For pieces with outer points, such as pattern A, press the seam allowance approaching the point so that the fabric fold extends beyond the paper edge. Bring the folded fabric over onto the remaining side of the pattern point and continue pressing. Secure the folded fabric at the point with a small amount of fabric glue stick and touch it with the tip of the iron to fuse it in place.
   

Stitching the Appliqu_s:

1. Select the Zig-zag stitch on your Janome sewing machine. Adjust the stitch width and length to 1.
2. Place the pressure dial on 1. Reduce the needle thread tension settings to 1.
3. Snap on the Custom Crafted Zig-zag foot.
4. Thread the needle with monofilament thread and neutral colored all-purpose sewing thread in the bobbin.
   Hint: Match the color of your monofilament to the appliqués, not the background. As a general rule, clear monofilament will work best with light and pastel prints, while smoke-colored monofilament will accommodate medium and deep hues.
5. Using the appliqué diagram as a guide, lay out the prepared pattern A appliqué pieces on the background, centering them over the pressed creases and positioning them approximately 1/2" in from the raw background edge; pin in place.
   
6. Draw the threads to the back of the sewing machine and position the block so that the needle will drop into the appliqué two or three threads in from the edge; press the up/down needle button to lower the needle into the appliqué.
7. Stitch around the perimeter of the appliqué, beginning with a locking stitch, and pivoting the background fabric as needed to follow the curves. The inner "zig" stitch should land just inside the appliqué, and the outer "zag" stitch should pierce the background fabric exactly next to the appliqué. Stitch slightly beyond the starting position and end with a locking stitch.
   Note: Appliqués that are overlapped by other pieces do not require locking stitches, as their seams will be secured by the pieces layered over them.
   
8. Carefully cut away the background fabric underneath the appliqué about 1/4" in from the stitched edge.
9. Grasp the appliqué between the thumb and forefinger of one hand, and the seam allowance between the thumb and forefinger of the other. Give a gentle but firm tug and the paper edge will come free from the stitched seam. Loosen the paper where the fabric glue stick is adhering it to the fabric and pull it free from the appliqué.
10. Continue layering and stitching appliqués, working from the bottom layer to the top; remember to remove the paper pattern pieces between each layer. Briefly press the completed block from the back to ensure the seam allowances lay flat.

Complete the Mug Mat:

1. Thread the needle of the sewing machine with all-purpose sewing thread to match the Perle cotton.
2. Program the sewing machine to a "blanket" or "appliqué" stitch (pattern 33, mode 2 for the MC6500P). Sew around the center circle of the appliqué blossom, pivoting often to outline the small shape. Layer the appliquéd square with the cotton batting and backing fabric, centering it over the larger bottom pieces. Baste in place.
3. Use the Perle cotton and No. 5 embroidery needle to place a running stitch around the appliqué shapes to outline and emphasize them.
4. Trim away the bottom layers so that the edges are flush with the top square of fabric.
5. Attach the 1/4" Seam foot O to the sewing machine and use the 2" x 22" strip to bind the mug mat.