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Quick Patch Appliqu� Pocket
By Pauline Richards, Total Embellishments

This quick pocket construction technique can be used for any patch pocket that has a large, central shape.  The design area needs to be drawn "pocket size"  (allowing room for your hand) and 1/4"  seam allowances added to the pocket piece edges.  The materials lists and instructions that follow are for the accompanying turtle pocket.  Enhance the turtle or other design with the easy machine stitched bugs.

Appliqu� Materials:

1/8 yard or scraps of solid fabric for head, legs, and tail
Thread for appliqu�, including black for eyes
1/8 yard of fusible transfer web
1/4 yard of tear-away stabilizer
1/4 yard of swirled or small print fabric for turtle shell
1/4 yard of fusible interfacing

Appliqu� Construction:

•  Trace the head, legs and tail onto the transfer web.

•  Fuse the web onto the wrong side of the solid fabric and cut out the design shapes.

• Remove the paper backing and position the appliqu� pieces onto the garment , fuse.

• Position the stabilizer under the design area; set the machine for satin stitching and stitch around the designs.

Pocket Construction:

•  Use the turtle's shell for making a pocket by adding a 1/4' seam allowance to the outer design edges.  Cut two pocket pieces from the shell fabric and one of interfacing.  Fuse the interfacing to the outer pocket piece.

•  If using a solid fabric, transfer the interior scallop stitching lines onto the outer pocket piece.  Do all the decorative stitching before making the pocket (figure 1).

• Right sides together, stitch the two pocket pieces together --do not leave open.  near the pocket lower edge, cut a 1" slit in the lining only.  Turn the pocket through the slit.  Cut a small piece of fusible interfacing and fuse the slit closed (figure 2).

• Position the shell overlapping the head, legs and tail appliqu� sections and edge-stitch in place (figure3).  Use brown and gold thread to create machine stitched bugs.  Make the bug's wings using the satin stitch, scallop or triangle stitch found on many machines.  Stitch one scallop, do a mirror image for the second or simply turn the fabric around.  Make the bug's body using a satin stitch tapered on each end or an elongated satin stitched oval found on many machines.

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