A Pictorial Guide to Lining Applique Patches

This pictorial guide shows how to line appliqué patches using the back basting method.

Lining Large Pieces

Occasionally it is necessary to line an appliqué patch so that the seams will not show through. The wall hanging to the right is an example. In two of the blocks, a light pink appliqué frame is placed over a deep purple background. The light pink area needs to be lined.

Click here to learn more about this quilt.

It isn't always easy to know if a patch needs to be lined. The simplest way to determine this is to place a piece of white paper or a piece of white cotton fabric underneath a portion of the design. In our example, it is the dark background fabric that is showing through.

It is not always the background that is dark. You may be building a flower with many petals. Those petals may become lighter as you build layer upon layer. You may reach a point that a darker petal shows through a lighter petal. If so, test your fabric with the white paper or white cotton to determine if lining the patch will improve the appearance of your appliqué and hide the seams.

Step 1: Draw your design on the back side of your fabric. Be sure to draw it in reverse. (See Pictorial Guide to Back Basting)

Step 2: Cut a piece of 100% white cotton fabric that has been pre-shrunk slightly larger than the patch that will be lined. Place it on the right side of your applique block over the patch area which is to be lined.

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