This is the full you tube tutorial: How to applique | FREE Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners https://youtu.be/3tDOvugj2Ek?si=xhWok1DxvpLja6Nj
Cassie Cartmell – Faodail Creation
Table of Contents
How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners is a fun and beginner-friendly sewing project that can be used to decorate wall art, cushions, aprons, bags, quilts, clothing, and so much more. In this applique quilting tutorial for beginners, I’m going to show you how to applique a cute toadstool design using fabric, Steam-A-Seam, batting, and free-motion quilting.
I created this How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners pattern specifically so you can have fun experimenting with applique without needing an advanced sewing technique. This also makes it a great appliqué quilt tutorial for beginners who want to learn how to combine appliqué with quilting. The finished design can be used in many different ways, but I particularly love turning appliqué designs into fabric wall art.
As a Baby Lock Educator, I enjoy showing how you can take the sewing techniques you already know and turn them into creative projects that are both practical and decorative. You don’t need to be an expert quilter or have years of applique experience to make this project. It is a great way to practice working with small fabric pieces, layering materials, securing applique shapes, and adding free-motion quilting details.
For this project, I’m using a selection of fabric to create the different parts of the toadstool. You can choose traditional colours such as red and white, or completely change the colours to match your own sewing room, home decor, or project. One of the best things about applique is that there really isn’t a right or wrong colour combination. As a Baby Lock Educator, I love encouraging sewists to experiment and make each project their own.
The Steam-A-Seam helps hold the applique pieces in position before they are permanently secured. This makes the process much easier, especially if you are new to applique and want to concentrate on getting your pieces positioned correctly. Once the applique is in place, you can add stitching and quilting to give the design more definition and texture.
I also show you how I use batting and free-motion quilting to add dimension to the finished design. Free-motion quilting can seem intimidating when you are first starting out, but a small applique project like this is a great place to practice. You can experiment with simple lines, curves, or decorative stitching without committing to quilting an entire quilt.
As a Baby Lock Educator, I also enjoy demonstrating how your sewing machine can be used for more than simply constructing garments and quilts. Projects like this give you an opportunity to explore different sewing techniques and discover new ways to use your machine.
The finished toadstool applique can become a piece of fabric wall art, but that is only one possibility. You could use the same design on a cushion cover, tote bag, apron, quilt block, table runner, clothing, or another fabric project. You could even resize the pattern or combine several applique designs to create your own larger composition.
The free toadstool applique pattern is available in my Facebook group, where you can find other free sewing patterns, templates, tutorials, and project inspiration. This is a great project to try if you enjoy simple sewing projects and want to experiment with applique without having to purchase a complicated pattern.
Whether you are completely new to applique or simply looking for a quick and creative project, I hope this tutorial gives you some inspiration. As a Baby Lock Educator, I love sharing approachable sewing techniques that help you build confidence while having fun with your sewing machine.
So gather your favourite fabrics, some Steam-A-Seam, batting, and your sewing machine, and let’s get started creating this cute toadstool applique!
The free pattern is available in my Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/405258636506758 under Files. If you enjoy applique projects, you’ll also find other free applique patterns and tutorials in the group.
For this project, I’m making a 12-inch wall hanging, but you can adapt the toadstool applique to whatever project you would like.
How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Design
Before you begin your free toadstool applique, gather everything you need and prepare your fabrics. Having everything ready before you start will make the applique process much easier.
Materials for Your Free Toadstool Applique – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
For the wall art version shown in my tutorial, you will need:
Below I have listed all of my Amazon links, if you purchase from any of these links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you
This is my Amazon Store Front https://www.amazon.com/shop/faodailcreation
- The free toadstool applique pattern – https://www.facebook.com/groups/405258636506758
- Fabric for the toadstool applique
- Steam-A-Seam https://link.amazon/B0dIFWvb9
- A 12 x 12-inch canvas https://link.amazon/B06k4oHYv
- A 16 x 6-inch piece of backing fabric
- An 11 x 11-inch piece of quilter’s batting
- Iron https://link.amazon/B09yJcxFA
- Scissors https://link.amazon/B01Ek52nS
- Sewing machine
- Black embroidery thread https://link.amazon/B0enVSr41
- Black bobbin thread https://link.amazon/B0heOpHK5
- 90/14 Microtex needle https://link.amazon/B0bgVEaAO
- Open-toe foot for free-motion quilting
- Pins https://link.amazon/B07KBuC6L
- Lint roller, if needed https://link.amazon/B025D9bsX
You can change the materials depending on what you are making. If you’re putting your toadstool applique onto a cushion, apron, bag, quilt or another sewing project, you won’t need the canvas.
Choosing Fabric for Your Toadstool Applique – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
You can use whatever colours you like for your free toadstool applique. I chose a bright red fabric for the top of the toadstool and contrasting fabrics for the other sections.
Don’t worry if your fabric pieces aren’t absolutely perfect at this stage. The applique process is quite forgiving, and you can trim the pieces as you work.
How to Applique the Toadstool With Steam-A-Seam
I like using Steam-A-Seam for applique because it gives the fabric some stability and helps prevent the edges from fraying.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using your fusible adhesive and iron.
Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric for the Free Toadstool Applique – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Start by turning on your iron so it is ready when you need it.
Before beginning your free toadstool applique, press all of your fabric pieces. You want your fabric to be nice and flat before tracing and applying the fusible adhesive.
If your fabric has wrinkles or creases, they can make it more difficult to trace your pattern accurately.
Press each piece carefully and set your fabric aside.
Step 2: Trace the Toadstool Applique Pattern – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Take your free toadstool applique pattern and begin tracing the larger pieces first.
I started with the top of the toadstool. Trace around the basic shape, but don’t worry about making the tracing absolutely perfect. This simple technique tracing method is easy for beginners and will help you get comfortable working with applique templates.
Once you have traced the toadstool top, cut around the outside of your traced line. Don’t cut directly on the line at this stage. Leave a small amount of extra fabric around the shape.
Next, trace the stem of the toadstool.
When tracing the stem, allow the shape to extend slightly beyond the underside of the toadstool top. This gives you a little extra fabric that can tuck underneath the top section when you assemble the toadstool applique.
Finally, trace the circles and other smaller sections of the design. Using this technique tracing method will help you keep all of your applique pieces organized and ready to assemble.
If you are having difficulty seeing the pattern, place it near a window or use a light box. This can make tracing the smaller details much easier.
Step 3: Find the Centre of Your Applique Project – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Before applying your free toadstool applique, decide where you want the design to sit.
If you want to find the centre of your fabric, simply fold the fabric in half and then fold it in half again.
Pinch the corner where the folds meet and then open the fabric.
You should have a small crosshatch marking the centre of your fabric. This gives you a useful reference point when positioning your applique.
Remember that you don’t have to centre your design if you don’t want to. You can place the toadstool applique wherever you think it looks best.
Step 4: Apply Steam-A-Seam to Your Toadstool Applique Fabric – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Now it is time to prepare the individual pieces of your free toadstool applique.
Take your larger piece of red fabric for the toadstool top and place it behind the corresponding section of your pattern.
Cut a piece of Steam-A-Seam slightly larger than the traced shape. You only need a small amount of extra fabric around the outside.
If you accidentally get the adhesive on the wrong side, don’t panic.
Sometimes the glue can stick to the wrong side of the Steam-A-Seam. If that happens, gently press the glue onto your thumb, transfer it to the correct side, and carefully peel away the paper.
Place the adhesive onto the reverse side of your fabric.
Continue doing this with each section of the toadstool applique.
Once the adhesive is attached, press it using your iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Allow each piece to cool completely. This is important because the adhesive needs time to cool and bond properly with the fabric.
Preparing the Smaller Applique Pieces – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Continue preparing the smaller pieces of your free toadstool applique.
You may notice that one of the spotted sections is larger than the others. Pay particular attention to this piece when preparing your fabric.
The other spots can be cut from the same-sized pieces of fabric.
If you accidentally cut an extra piece, don’t worry! You can always use it as an additional spot on your toadstool.
Step 5: Cut Out Your Applique Pieces – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Once all of your fabric has been fused to the Steam-A-Seam, go back through each piece and carefully cut it out.
This time, cut directly on the applique line.
Take your time with the smaller pieces because clean edges will make positioning your free toadstool applique much easier.
You should now have all of your individual fabric pieces ready to assemble.
Step 6: Arrange the Toadstool Applique – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Now we can start putting the toadstool applique together.
Remove the paper backing from the bottom section and position it onto your background fabric.
Next, remove the paper from the toadstool top and place it above the stem.
Make sure there is a small amount of overlap between the pieces. This helps create a neat finished design.
Now it’s time to add the spots.
There really isn’t a right or wrong way to arrange the spots on your free toadstool applique. You can follow the pattern or move them around and create your own design.
I like adding the larger piece toward the bottom and then arranging the smaller pieces around it.
You can also add extra spots if you want to make your toadstool more decorative.
Have Fun With Your Toadstool Applique
This is one of my favourite things about applique. You don’t have to make every project exactly the same.
Once you understand how to applique, you can change the colours, shapes and placement to create something that is completely your own.
When you’re happy with the arrangement, press everything with your iron.
This will permanently adhere the applique pieces to your background fabric.
Step 7: Add Batting to Your Applique – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Before moving to the sewing machine, place your 11 x 11-inch piece of quilter’s batting onto the reverse side of your fabric.
The batting provides some stabilization for the next stage.
Pin everything securely so the layers don’t move while you are free-motion quilting.
This is particularly important because we are going to lower the feed dogs on the sewing machine.
Step 8: Free-Motion Quilt Around the Toadstool Applique – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Now we are ready to sew our free toadstool applique.
For my project, I used a Baby Lock Altair 2 sewing machine.
I used black embroidery thread in both the top of the machine and the bobbin. I also used a 90/14 Microtex needle and an open-toe foot for free-motion quilting.
Lower the feed dogs on your sewing machine.
On my Baby Lock Altair 2, this can be done using the one-touch button.
Lower the presser foot and needle, and hold onto the thread tails as you begin sewing.
I like using black thread because it gives the toadstool applique a fun, sketchy appearance.
How to Applique With Free-Motion Quilting – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
If you’ve never tried free-motion quilting before, this is a great project to practise with.
You aren’t trying to create a perfectly straight or precise line. Instead, simply follow the edges of your applique.
I like to sew around each line approximately three times.
Move the fabric as you sew to make it comfortable for your hands. You want to have good control of the fabric without trying to force it through the machine.
Don’t worry about making your lines perfectly identical.
The slightly imperfect, sketchy look is part of the charm.
Free-Motion Quilting Tips for Toadstool Applique
When you reach the end of one section, you don’t necessarily need to stop, cut your thread and start again.
You can continue moving around the design where appropriate.
For the individual circles, I recommend working around each circle separately.
Start by sewing the sections attached to the top of the toadstool applique, then work your way around the rest of the design.
If you’ve never done free-motion quilting before, this is a simple way to become more comfortable with moving your fabric while sewing.
Step 9: Turn Your Toadstool Applique Into Wall Art – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Once your free toadstool applique is completely quilted, you can turn it into wall art.
I love using applique designs this way because they become unique pieces of handmade home décor.
For my project, I attached the fabric to a 12 x 12-inch canvas.
I have another detailed tutorial showing how to attach fabric to a canvas, which is helpful if you want to create your own applique wall art.
You could also frame the finished piece instead of using a canvas.
A cute toadstool applique would look especially lovely in a child’s bedroom, playroom, sewing room or craft space.
Step 10: Enjoy Your Free Toadstool Applique – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
And that’s it!
You now know how to applique a cute toadstool design using fusible adhesive and free-motion quilting.
The great thing about this free toadstool applique is that you don’t have to use it only for wall art.
You could add the design to a cushion, apron, quilt, tote bag, table runner, clothing or another fabric project.
You can also change the colours and placement to make your toadstool completely unique.
Final Thoughts on How to Applique – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
I hope this free toadstool applique tutorial has inspired you to give applique a try.
If you are new to applique, don’t worry about making everything perfect. Start with simple shapes, practise applying the fusible adhesive and then experiment with stitching around your design.
Free-motion quilting can seem intimidating at first, but following the edges of an applique is a very approachable way to practise.
I particularly love the sketchy effect created by sewing around the design several times with black thread.
And remember, there really isn’t a right or wrong way to arrange the spots on your toadstool applique. Have fun with it and make the design your own.
You can find the free toadstool applique pattern in my Facebook group under Files. The group is completely free, and you’ll find more free applique patterns and sewing tutorials there.
If you enjoyed learning how to applique this toadstool design, leave me a comment and let me know whether you’ve tried applique before.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more sewing tutorials, applique projects, quilting ideas and beginner-friendly sewing techniques.
Happy sewing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Toadstool Applique – How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
Can beginners make this free toadstool applique?
Absolutely. This free toadstool applique is suitable for beginners because the individual shapes are simple and the free-motion quilting follows the edges of the design.
What can I use the toadstool applique on?
You can use the toadstool applique on cushions, aprons, quilts, bags, clothing, wall art and many other fabric projects.
Do I have to use Steam-A-Seam?
Steam-A-Seam is what I used for this project, but you can use another suitable fusible applique product if you prefer. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular product.
Do I need a special sewing machine for applique?
No. You can use a regular sewing machine for many applique techniques. For this particular project, I used free-motion quilting, so you need a machine that allows you to lower the feed dogs or otherwise set the machine up for free-motion sewing.
Where can I get the free toadstool applique pattern? How to Applique a Free Toadstool Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners
The free toadstool applique pattern is available in my Facebook group under the Files section. The group also includes other free applique projects and sewing resources.
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