How to Make Padded Applique' Wall Hangings

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Now sew 1" in from the edge and all the way around the square except for a 6"-long area left open at the center of the bottom edge. I find that if I use thin tracing paper or seam tape — or the paper, cut into strips, that comes between the folds of batting — along the seam line between the sewing machine needle and the batting, I don't have problems with the machine's pressure foot catching or tearing the stuffing.

Next, trim the bottom seam to 1/2" and all other seams to 1/4". Clip the corners, then carefully turn the hanging right side out through the 6" opening and push out the corners. Turn the 6"- long open area at the bottom under and close it up by hand with a simple slip stitch.

Finally, using the satin stitch setting on your machine, top-stitch through all thicknesses of the wall covering an inch in from the piece's outer edges. This helps hold the batting tightly in place when the piece is hanging. (For the "wood stove" design shown here, I also top-stitched through all thicknesses along the lines that define the "padded room".)

There you have it: your own uniquely original, colorful, and three-dimensional applique wall hanging to brighten up the old homestead. Who knows ... maybe — if you really enjoy this craft — Will want to make several wall coverings in the same theme, then sew 'em together to create one smashingly beautiful quilt. (And you thought you didn't have time to make quilts!)

HOW TO MAKE LOOPS ON THE BACK OF YOUR WALL HANGING

Cut out four strips of fabric, 3" long by 2" wide.

Fold long edges in towards the middle and zigzag down the center across raw edges.

Measure down 2-1/2" from top of the wall hanging's backing and 2-1/2" in from each side. Pin the bottom edge of each corner loop to the backing (right sides together). Space other loops out evenly across back, also 2-1/2" from the top, and pin.

Zigzag several times across bottom edge of loops, as shown.

Fold loop down and under. Adjust to size of dowel. Stitch across bottom fold several times.

Finished loop looks like this.

SOME SIMPLE EMBROIDERY STITCHES

BACKSTITCH: This — one of the easiest and most useful of embroidery stitches — can be used to outline shapes and embroider curved lines. It is worked from right to left, as follows: Bring the needle through to the front side of the cloth and make a small stitch backward (i.e., to the right) ... then bring the needle through again to the left of the first stitch and make another backstitch to the start of the first stitch, and so on.

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