While traditional appliqué methods create raised areas and increased visual interest in a quilt design, stained glass appliqué raises this technique to the next level. In addition to layering fabric to create a sense of depth within a quilt, this method includes a bordering effect that mimics true stained glass work. Used in combination with gradated fabrics, such as batiks, the resulting effect can be striking.

While the basic appliqué technique for the main or "glass" pieces is similar to traditional appliqué using foundation or paper piecing, the "leading" or border can be done either with or without bias tape. Which method is best is dependant upon a quilter's skill and personal preference.

Bias Tape Stained Glass Appliqué (paper piecing)

For this technique, quilters will need :

quarter inch bias tape (Clover Quick Bias Tape works well for this purpose)
a smoky nylon or any thread that matches the bias tape
an appliqué pressing sheet
woven fusible interfacing
freezer paper
fabric
stained glass appliqué pattern
a hot iron

To assemble a stained glass appliqué block, the "glass" pieces are prepared first, followed by the "leading" and then the entire unit is anchored with machine stitching. Use the following steps to create your appliqué block with bias tape.

1. Trace the pattern onto the fusible side of the woven fusible interfacing using a thin permanent marker.

2. Trace the design onto the freezer paper. Using the traced lines for guidance, cut the pattern into pieces.

3. Carefully press the freezer paper's shiny side to the right side of your fabric.

4. Cut your block pieces from the fabric with roughly a sixteenth of an inch allowance, using the freezer paper as your guide.

5. Remove the freezer paper and place your fabric right side up on the fusible interfacing following the pattern. Fabric pieces should overlap slightly, leaving no gaps.

6. Press the fabric to the interfacing using a pressing sheet.

7. Apply the bias tape right side up to the block, following the pattern's sequence.
a. Position tape on the first line, trimming any excess on either end. b. Press the bias tape in place.
c. Place the next length of bias tape over the block, making sure to cover the raw end of the first piece before pressing into place.
d. Repeat for all remaining lines of "leading".
e. Raise a section of the first bias tape length and insert the end of the final length under it to cover its raw edge.

8. Layer the stained glass block over thin batting and the backing fabric, baste or pin in place.

9. Sew both sides of the bias with a straight stitch to finish the appliquéd block. Beginning in the center and working outwards reduces the amount of layer shifting.

Bias Tape Stained Glass Appliqué (foundation piecing)

Working up a bias tape stained glass appliqué block using foundation piecing is very similar to the steps outlined above. The only difference is that instead of tracing and cutting with freezer paper, fabric pieces are laid out onto a foundation fabric, such as muslin, and either basted or pinned in place before the bias tape is added.

Bias Tape Stained Glass Appliqué

After transferring the pattern onto fusible web interfacing, quilters preferring not to work with bias tape may instead use starched fabric pressed onto the interfacing to create the lines of "leading" for their blocks. Using the pattern markings on the interfacing as a guide, the fabric is then cut without including a turn-under allowance The "leading" is then fused to the "glass" fabrics eliminating the risk of unraveling raw edges.

When theses layers are assembled, the block may be quilted and appliquéd with a straight stitch as outlined above.

Related : More Quilting Techniques