How to Combine Applique & Piecing

One of my favorite things about quilting is the freedom to combine different techniques and styles to make something totally new! 

One combination I really enjoy is a pieced background with a fun applique piece on top!

It's a great way to add a lot of interest and dimension to an applique quilt, it's also perfect for that pieced top you made in the past that you haven't been excited about enough to quilt! It will give it a whole new life!

Here are some ideas to get your wheels spinning...

Same applique piece, different pieced backgrounds!

This one I used the traditional Bear Claw block, oriented them left and right on alternating rows, so it looks kind of like the bear has been wandering back and forth and those are his prints! The alternating lighter blocks are made with various beige fabrics. SEE MORE HERE 

This pieced background is SO simple, just 2.5" strips, but having them go dark at the top to light at the bottom gave the look of a sunset and helps draw your eye down to the bear. SEE TUTORIAL HERE

And how fabulous is this quilt made be a student of mine, Deanna over at @TheDogWoodBlossom? Love the mountain background! 

You can find the bear applique pattern, HERE

If you'd like to try Scrappy Appliqué, we'd love for you to join us in Meander! Learn the technique and get your project done alongside quilters from all around the world! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE