I use freezer paper, but I print the pattern out mirror image, cut it out being careful to cut just inside the lines and iron it onto the back of the background fabric. Cutting inside the lines makes sure I don't get bleedthrough onto the fabric and it accomodates that scant thing that happens in a fold. It's a little tedious, but I get real accuracy with it and the freezer paper stabilizes the fabric, so I can prep a lot of pieces ahead of time and not worry about them getting stretched out of shape and crinkled. I iron the seam allowance over the edge to the printed side of the paper with a mini-iron, using spray starch. I paint the starch onto the seam allowances only, being careful not to over saturate them, otherwise the paper gets too soggy to hold the crease.
On larger pieces, I cut the extra fabric out and take the paper out after the block is done. On smaller pieces, I take the paper out just before I applique them.
The thing I like most about this method is how it works on points. I get the fabric folded just where I need it to be on the point, so I don't have to manipulate it with the needle so much. I get nice sharp points. When there is too much fabric at the point, I sew up to the point and then open the piece and trim away some of the fabric from that seam that I've just sewn. That way I'm not working with a few threads to turn under ahead of the needle.
On inside corners I take a little stitch into the applique piece at the corner before sewing it down, like Margo suggests, to prevent freying.
I'm using this method on the vine part. Last night I spent about 2 hrs preping the piece. My kitty kept trying to help because the thing bounced around as I moved it and fascinated him, lol. It was a bit like handling tumbleweed with all the ends getting hung up on each other, but I got it done and pinned to the background fabric and it's flat, and right on to the pattern. That made me very happy:)
Tonight I will begin stitching. I think I will remove the paper in small sections as I go. This piece has tons of bias and removing the paper too soon would make a wonky, wobbly mess, lol. I've never done a wreath vine all in one piece like this before. It's always been bias strips. It's a challenge. But, I like that.
linny t
