Featuring: Snack Size Halloween Quilt Pattern from The Whimsical Workshop

Designed and made by Heidi Pridemore

Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner

In today’s blog post, I’m excited to share one of my favorite techniques for adding eye-catching 3-D elements to applique quilt designs. To bring this effect to life, I’ll be using Camelot Fabrics’ CouldFill Fleece S, which is the perfect material for creating dimension and texture. I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of crafting 3-D bat wings, which will be featured in the Snack Size Halloween quilt pattern from The Whimsical Workshop. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just starting out, this technique will add a fun, tactile twist to your projects!

Steps to create 3-D elements from any Applique pattern

1. Decide what shape or shapes you would like to make 3-dimensional. Add a ¼” seam allowance to the applique templates for those shapes.
2. You will need two pieces of fabric and one piece of CloudFill Fleece S that is large enough for the 3-D shapes. 
   
3. Place the CloudFill Fleece S, fusible dots side up, place one piece of fabric from Step 2 on top of the Fleece, wrong side down. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to press one piece of CloudFill Fleece to the wrong side of fabric. 
   
4. Cut out the paper template with the ¼” seam allowance. 
   
5. Place the second piece of fabric from Step 2 on top of the layered Fleece/Fabric piece, right sides together. Place the paper template on top and trace the shape onto the fabric sandwich. 
   
6. Cut out the traced shape from the fabric sandwich. 
   
7. If the shape is going to be tucked under a flat piece that will be fused to the background, place the flat piece on top of the 3-D elements and mark where they overlap. This will be the area you will leave open for turning when sewing the pieces together.
   
   If the 3-D piece will be attached and floating without a fusible element, you will need to decide where to the leave an opening for turning.
8. Sew around each shape, leaving the opening for turning. 
   
9. Clip any curved edges up to the sewn seam. 
   
10. Turn the shapes right side out. Use a dowel to pop out any edges. Press the shapes flat.
    
    NOTE: If your shape does not have a piece being fused over the opening, you will need to turn in the raw edges and whip stitch the opening close.
11. Position the pieces on the quilt top and pin in place 
    
12. Position the flat piece that will be fused over the 3-D elements and press this piece to the quilt top. 
    
13. Use a decorative stitch, such as a blanket or satin stitch, to stitch around the fused piece, catching the edges of the 3-D elements in the stitch. 
    
14. If you want to further anchor the 3-D element to the quilt top, use a walking foot and stitch through the shape into the quilt top. This is also how to attach any 3-D shapes that does not have a flat piece fused over the edge of the shape.

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to experiment with 3-D elements in your applique projects. By using Camelot Fabrics' CouldFill Fleece S, you can easily add depth and texture to your designs, just like we did with the bat wings for the Snack Size Halloween quilt. Don’t be afraid to get creative and apply this technique to other projects as well! If you give it a try, I’d love to see your creations—be sure to share them on social media and tag me and Camelot Fabrics. Happy quilting, and stay tuned for more fun tutorials coming your way!