FAQ

The word applique comes from the French appliquer, “to put on.”  It is most commonly used in quilting as embellishment for quilts, but is becoming more popular in making home decor and apparel.  Often cutting applique is considered an arduous, time consuming process due to the intricacy of detailed designs and the level of detail was often limited to the cutting skill of the quilter.  However, laser cutting removes the time and skill required by providing perfectly cut pieces.

When we say pre-fused, we mean that your appliqué pieces have a special backing attached.  This backing allows for you to tack/lightly adhere each piece to your background to ensure it stays in place while putting together the full project.After considerable testing we have found that SoftFuse Premium works best with laser cut applique. SoftFuse provides good adhesion of the applique piece to the background fabric while still providing a supple feel that is less stiff than other fusibles we’ve tested. SoftFuse is soft enough that you can either hand or machine sew the applique. SoftFuse will not gum up your sewing machine.

Fusible is not permanent and edges of the applique may begin to peel if not sewn down or otherwise adhered to a surface.  The purpose of fusible is to tack the pieces in place while putting a project together.

Laser cut offers precise cutting of pieces in minimal time. 

Most projects require a background (fabric, canvas, wall), scissors for snipping small connections that keep pieces together during transport, an iron (any iron will do) for tacking and a way to adhere the fabric to the background more permanently once project is complete.

You can certainly sew your project by hand or by a machine.  The fusible does not affect the needles, making either option possible.  You can also avoid sewing by using other craft forms for final adhesion such as decoupage or clear paint on wood or canvas backgrounds. 

Quilt by Numbers (QBN)  is a collection of kits that provide a freezer paper template that is reverse cut allowing you to perfectly position each piece as it is shown on the cover of the kit.  Simply iron on the template to your background, place each piece in the corresponding cut out, tack the applique in place and peel the template off. It’s sew easy!

Because applique is pre-cut, we do not include a pattern.  However, we do include a placement guide or template and instructions how to use the kit. You have all the instructions you need to complete the project without having to buy a separate pattern.

Some of our kits do include background fabrics and others do not. Please check the product page for each kit for specific details about the contents of the kit.

Kits include applique pieces with fusible, background and binding fabrics when relevant, a step by step instruction guide, and placement guide. We also offer a template and color guide with our Quilt By Numbers Collections.

Thread, backing or batting, which can be required for sewing into a quilt or wall hanging. 

The fusible is not permanent, so you can peel the piece off carefully and adjust.  Tack it back down with heat.