Quiltsmart Printed Interfacing: Q: What is a ZigZapp? A: An EASY Applique! Project: Snow Peeps Table Runner (Kit Available)

Runner is 10" x 42" (length will vary).

After spending time with family and friends for the holidays, in cold and snowy Minnesota, I arrived back in Bend, Oregon to 50+ degree temperatures and sunshine! No "real" snow-people to be crafted here! But, I was still in the mood. So, I turned on a binge-worthy drama, grabbed a hot spiced drink and started sewing. This design is easy, quick, fun, and a great way to span the season - all the way to Valentine's Day! Bonus - you will get nice smooth curved edges when you use Quiltsmart Printed Interfacing and these methods! I get asked a lot to explain our ZigZapps - if you do this project, you will know that answer! Don't be afraid of applique, just zigzapp! We should be calling this method, "zigzapping"... easy and fun! Hmmm... maybe we will.

Snow Peeps Instructions
Materials Required:
1-2 panels Quiltsmart ZigZapps Circles
1 panel Quiltsmart Wave Border
6 (or more) 10" fabric squares
(3) 2.5" strips for binding
Wool Scraps for hat, scarves, nose, mittens, and any other creative accent. Embroidery floss, trim, etc for eyes, mouth, button, arms. I used "Quilt Highlights"- Organic Cotton Braid - I LOVE this stuff!!!!! - by YLI for the arms - I used the cotton dyeable, and "dyed" it by coloring it with pigma pens. Works great for vines, too.

KIT AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST - Snow Peeps Kit Kit includes Interfacing and Wool Pieces only. Colors and patterns will vary. Kit does not include the cotton fabric or twill braid. You can get both those at your local quilt shop. If you get a 10" square pack, you will have a variety of coordinating fabrics and will be able to make several runners (probably 6 or so).

Wave Background:
1) Follow instructions on interfacing with the following notes. Take a 10" square and place a wave border length along a raw edge. Stitch on the solid line, and continue by butting another square next to it. Stitch 3 squares.

2) Stitch 3 more squares on to another length of Wave Border.

Trim on the dashed line.

3)Trim each square on the dashed line.

Turn and smooth curves.

4) Turn and finger press.

Layer and fuse squares.

5) Layer one Wave Border edge over another square - use a pressing sheet - ours works great for this: Quiltsmart Pressing Sheet. Fuse. Zigzag. Trim away excess fabric, and use the excess fabric again with another strip of Wave Border. Continue sewing Wave Borders until you achieve the look and length you desire. I keep the ends straight, but you would not have to do that...they could be curved.

Continue to add squares. Fuse and zigzag.

Stitch on the desired solid line.

Circles:
1) Choose circle sizes as you desire for your snow people. Cut just beyond the dashed line of the circle size that you want (so, if you want to sew on the 3rd line from the inside (shown), cut just inside the 4th line. Instructions are also printed on the side of the interfacing panels. If the inner concentric printed interfacing lines show through a light fabric, cut them away before or after step 4.

Trim on the outside dashed line.

2) Place the Circles as you wish - be creative.... Snow Peeps can do lots of things - they can "move"! Fuse them together with an appliqué pressing sheet, or pin. Try them out on the background so you can see what they look like.

Turn and smooth edges.

Use a pointer-creaser to smooth the curve. Keep it between the fabric seam, not against the interfacing.

Try drawing your Snow Peeps first - have fun with it!

3) Fuse the circles on an appliqué pressing sheet when you have your desired positions. Zigzag stitch the snow people together in between the circles (2.0 mm width/2.0 mm length - adjust as you wish). I like to do this before I stitch them to the background. It is easier to go around the whole snow peep than each circle and hat, etc.

4) Embellish by adding arms, hat, scarf, buttons, face. Use embroidery, french knots, buttons, beads, or trim (rick rack is cute for arms), or draw face and buttons with a pigma pen. Use wool scraps (won't fray) for the hat, mittens, and scarves - zigzag the raw edges, or hand-stitch. I hand-stitched the flat wool scarves after I quilted. You can embellish before or after quilting, depending on your embellishment choice and what might make the most sense.

5) Fuse and Zigzag stitch the snow peeps to the Wave Background.

Continue to embellish as you wish. Mold the flat wool scarves around the snow people and stitch by hand or machine.
Add trims before or after quilting - whichever makes more sense. I add 3-d trims after quilting, flat ones before (like the arms), and in this case hats. But, I will also sometimes stitch the wool hats in place afterward.

Quilt and bind as you desire. I followed the lines of the waves - EASY!

A great KIDS or BEGINNER PROJECT!
Quiltsmart Circles are perfect to have on hand for centers of flowers, wheels, and much more!

Have fun with this! I'm sure your french knots will look better than mine! Send us your pics - we would love to see your creation!

Enjoy & Take Care, Mattie