Applique Made Easy with Slice and a Giveaway!!!

Okay, so it is no secret that I love applique.  I use it tons in my quilts, especially when it comes to adding names or words to cute baby and kiddo quilts!!  But I am not a huge fan of cutting applique out by hand. That is why I love my Slice!!!!  So, I am curious, have you heard of the Slice machine??  Well, today I will share a bit more about it, how it's used, and why I love it!!!  Then, thanks to the great folks at Slice, I will even give you a chance to win one of your own :)  So let's get to it :)

I have owned my Slice for about 4 years now and it just keeps getting better.  Slice allows you to cut applique in sizes of 2" up to 4" in 1/2" increments.  It takes out all of that horrible tracing and cutting and does the work for you.  You just select a design, size, and tell it to cut.  Simple!!   And there are so many design cards to choose from and all filled with wonderful designs.   I have over 20 design cards (I sort of collect them like stamps :) and each card always has a great alphabet (which I use the most) plus some super great images.  The card I will be using for this example is the Champion design card.

Oh, and I am so excited about this next part.  Slice has just recently come out with a super cool new type of design cards that allow you to cut little pieces of the applique and then bring it all together to create one big applique.  So fun!!  And the one I have is the Secret Garden design card from none other than our own Sandi Henderson.  Yup, it is made to go with her fabric line of the same name.  I can't wait to play with that one!!!  Watch for a project in the future :)

Here's a few projects with applique I have cut using my Slice :)  So ya, you can probably tell, I love this machine and use it a ton!!!

So, now let me show you how it works.

To start, you need to get your cutting surface tacky.  You can use the glue that comes with the slice machine but I find the Re-positionable Spray Adhesive to be much quicker and easier.  I just spray it on the surface, the same way I would if I were basting a quilt.  Now this cutting mat is the larger one used with the Hands-Free Kit, which I like because I can cut more applique without having to re-position fabric as much.  The starter kit comes with a 6" glass cutting mat.

Now while your mat is getting tacky, you can get the fabric ready.  Choose your fabric and cut it into a 12" square, (or a 5-6" if using the smaller mat)  Cut a sheet of Fusible Web to the same size as your fabric.

Press the fusible side of the web to the wrong side of the fabric.   Once it is cool, peel the paper side away from the fabric and discard.  You will see the fusible left on the wrong side of the fabric.

Now with the wrong side of the fabric down, place the fabric onto the sticky cutting mat.  Press the fabric firmly in place.  I love my brayer for this.  It just rolls everything in place and takes care of all the little bumps, and my palm doesn't get sore :)

And now the fun part.  With the design cartridge in the machine, just simply place the machine onto the mat.  Hold onto to either side of your machine and press the cut button.  Now just wait about 30 seconds and enjoy the wonderful world of Slice.  Oh, and if you have a Hands-Free-Kit, you don't even have to hold the sides, magnets do that for you :)

Once the cutting is complete, simply lift your applique out of the fabric.  The spatula makes this a little easier as you don't have to try and dig in their with your nails, it just slides right under the applique and lifts it out.   And you have it, one perfect applique, which just so happens to be the letter K :)  Now just rinse and repeat until you have all your desired applique.

Once you have all your applique, you are ready to move to the ironing board.   (Seriously, is that not the cutest applique!)  Lay the applique onto your project surface until you have it just right.  I like to use my quilting rulers to help me line up everything during this part.    

Once it is perfect, just give it a press.  The fusible web on the wrong side of the fabric will adhere it to the project surface.  Easy!!

Now just finish it up by secure stitching around all the raw edges of your applique.  I am partial to the blanket stitch but you can use a zig-zag, satin stitch, or raw edge.  Whatever your preference.

And before you know it, you have one adorable appliqued project and it was so easy and fun!!!  And if you come back tomorrow, I will show you what this little appliqued banner will be used for :)

So, That is how you use the Slice.  Really, it is so incredibly easy, and so, so, much fun!!!  You can read all about Slice and the extra little Slice goodies I showed today on the Slice Website :)  

Okay, so do you love the Slice machine???  Do you want one of your own??  Well, this could be your lucky day!!!  One reader will win their own Slice Starter Kit as well as a design card of their choice!!!  Yippee :)

So what do you have to do to enter . . .Easy!!

You have two chances to win, and please, leave a separate comment for each.  

1 - Leave a comment here of of what  Fabric Design Card  you would choose to go with your Starter Kit.  So many to choose from, have fun!!

2 - For a bonus entry, Like Slice on Facebook and the leave a comment here that you did so.  

And that's it.  Like I said, easy :)  The giveaway will close on Wednesday the 14th and I will announce a winner shortly after.  Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Quilting Day!!!