Reverse Applique Napkin Rings

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Supplies are for six napkin rings
• 1/4yd quilt cotton fabric: main color
• 1/8yd quilt cotton fabric: contrast
• All-purpose thread to match main color
• All-purpose thread for contrast veins
• 4"x 30" batting
• 1/3yd HeatnBond Lite
• 1/4yd Tear-Away stabilizer
• 4"x 4" Template plastic
• Air erasable fabric marker
• Cardstock, 12"x 12"
• Glue stick
• Scotch tape
• Paper scissors
• Ruler
• Tacky Glue
• Fabri-Tac
• Basic sewing supplies
• Sewing machine with free motion foot
• Iron & pressing surface

DIRECTIONS:

NOTE: Large leaf is 3 ¼" long and the small leaf is 1 7/8" long

1. To make the ring cut the cardstock into twelve 1"x 12" strips. At one end of one strip form a loop 1 3/4" in diameter and tape in place. Using the glue stick put glue on the remainder of the strip and wrap it around the loop. Glue a second strip around the loop forming a sturdy ring. Use the tape to hold the cardstock in place as it dries. Repeat with the rest of the strips to form six rings.
2. To cover the rings with fabric cut six 2 1/2"x 6" strips of the main fabric. Wrap one fabric strip around one ring and tuck the long edges inside the ring gluing everything in place with the tacky glue. Allow to dry completely.
3. Make a plastic pattern of the two leaf parts out of the template plastic. Refer to the dimensions of the leaf pattern, enlarge or reduce as needed. Trace the larger leaf shape on the paper side of the HeatnBond allowing 1" or more around each leaf. Cut out the leaf at least 1/2" out from the leaf all around. Make six. Fuse the HeatnBond to the back of the main fabric and cut out around the outside of the HeatnBond area.
4. Trace the smaller leaf pattern on each HeatnBond leaf. Cut out the smaller leaf leaving a hole in the larger leaf. Peel the paper off the HeatnBond and fuse to the right side of the contrast fabric. Cut the leaves to the size of the main fabric pieces cutting off the excess contrast fabric around the edge.
5. Cut the stabilizer into six 4"x 4" pieces and place under each leaf pinning in place. Using the main fabric thread color thread and set the machine to the pin stitch which looks like a tiny blanket stitch. Adjust stitch length and width to the proportion desired practicing on a scrap of fabric. Sew around the edge of the small leaf hole where the contrast fabric shows through. The side to side portion of the stitch should fall on the main fabric and the straight stitch portion should fall on the contrast fabric at the edge of the main fabric. Sew around each small leaf shape. Remove the stabilizer.
6. To construct the leaves first cut the batting into six 4"x 4" pieces and the main fabric into six 4"x 4" pieces. On the back side of the stitched leaf place the larger leaf pattern and draw around it with pen or pencil. Be sure the small leaf location is where you want it. Layer one batting piece, one main fabric piece right side up and the stitched leaf right side down. Pin the layers together. Set the machine to a short straight stitch and sew all around the leaf shape that was drawn on the back of the stitched leaf piece. Repeat for all six leaves. Trim the seam allowance to a scant 1/4" and even closer near the tip of the leaf.
7. Carefully cut a slit in the batting and the main fabric back of the leaf avoiding cutting the stitched leaf. Turn the leaf inside out through the slit and work to get the edges neatly curved and the point poked out. Press.
8. Set the machine up with the contrast thread and with the free motion foot on the machine. Drop the feed teeth. With the marker draw veins on the leaf and follow the lines with free motion sewing.
9. Finish the napkin rings by gluing the leaf to the ring using the Fabri-Tac glue. Hold in place with straight pins until dry.