How to Embroider a Multi-Piece Quilt Block

This tutorial shows you how to assemble a mult-piece quilt block out of multiple embroidery files. Some files will have applique and some will not. This tutorial works for any of these designs no matter the size or how many pieces make up your chosen block.

In the end you can use these blocks to make any project you can imagine from a pillow to a tote bag or even as part of a quilt.

When you download the design, you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files, and others are dieline files marked with the letters "DL". Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape and size. Open and print each dieline file using an embroidery software. If you do not have an embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines.

We also recommend Wilcom's Hatch Organizer software which comes in different levels depending on what you'd like to use the software for. Hatch Organizer works well to view your designs, print dielines and templates, change design colors, and create basic design layouts. (This is an affiliate link, learn more about affiliate links here)

To make the applique pieces, spray the wrong side of the paper dieline with temporary spray adhesive, and smooth it onto the right side of the fabric.

Cut out the dieline shape. Then remove the paper dieline.

Repeat these steps to cut out all the applique pieces in the entire design. If you need to sew any embroidery files multiple times to create the finished block, make sure to also cut out multiple applique pieces for each one.

To prepare the embroidery fabric, cut a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer and cotton fabric (or another similar weight fabric) bigger than your hoop. Spray the cutaway stabilizer with temporary spray adhesive and smooth it onto the wrong side of the cotton fabric piece.

Hoop the cotton and stabilizer together. Make sure everything is hooped tightly and that there are no wrinkles or puckers in the fabric. For multi-piece quilt blocks, you can play with hooping different fabrics for each block to create beautiful patterns.

Load the first embroidery file onto the machine, attach the hoop to the machine, and begin to embroider the design. Watch the color change sheet closely and embroider until you have finished sewing the first step with the word "dieline" in its name. This dieline (or outline) stitch marks the area where the applique piece will be placed.

Some designs will sew the dieline right away, and other designs will have details that sew before the dieline.

After the dieline has sewn, remove the hoop from the machine, but do not unhoop the fabric. Spray the wrong side of the first applique piece with temporary adhesive. Place the applique on the hooped fabric inside of the sewn dieline shape.

Then place the hoop back on the machine, and embroider the tackdown for the applique piece that was just placed. A tackdown holds the fabric piece in place for the remainder of the design.

If the design has multiple applique pieces, continue to embroider the design until you get to another step labeled "dieline". Then repeat the previous steps to embroider the dieline, place the fabric piece, and embroider the tackdown.

If the design only has one applique piece, simply continue to embroider the design.

Continue to follow the color change steps, embroider all details, and pause to place every applique piece as needed. The final thing to sew will be a box or border around the entire design.

Once the embroidery has finished, unhoop the embroidered design, and set it aside. Do not trim the fabric or stabilizer yet.

Repeat the previous steps to embroider all the designs in the chosen quilt block. Some quilt blocks will need files sewn multiple times to complete it. For example, our Bee Multi-Piece Quilt Block needed only one of the center sewn, four of the border pieces sewn, and four of the corner pieces sewn to complete one entire block.

To prepare the first design piece, iron one of the embroidered pieces with a pressing cloth on top. Try to remove any wrinkles, and make the sides as straight and flat as possible.

After pressing, measure 1/2in away from all four edges of the design and cut away the excess material. This will leave an even border of fabric around the edges of the embroidered design. This 1/2in border of fabric will be the seam allowance. Feel free to use whatever seam allowance measurement works best for you.

The easiest way to measure and cut the seam allowance around the design is by using a quilting ruler and rotary cutter. If preferred, you can also measure and draw the seam allowance around the outside of the panel, and simply cut on that line with a scissors instead.

Repeat the steps to press all of the embroidery pieces so they are straight and flat. Then cut them all out, leaving the seam allowance (1/2in for our example) border of fabric around all four edges of every piece.

After all the pieces in the block have been pressed and cut out, carefully arrange them on the work area to show which pieces go next to each other when the block is lined up. Looking at them like this while you assemble the scene will help you see which edges need to be sewn together. Keeping them arranged like this while you work will also help prevent them from being mixed up or sewn to the wrong pieces.

These multi-piece quilt blocks are easiest to assemble if you first sew each row and then sew the rows together. To begin assembly, take the top two left corner and the top border and lay them on top of each other with right sides together. Match up the edge of the fabric that will be sewn together. Then pin or clip the two pieces together along the side that needs to be sewn together.

The trick to perfectly lining up your pieces and seams with the edge of the embroidery is to pay close attention to the outer embroidered edge and border of the designs. When pinning any block pieces together (like we did in the previous step), take extra care when matching up the outer borders and corners of the two pieces as best you can on top of each other. The closer they are lined up, the better the pieces will be aligned once sewn.

When sewing, you want to always sew with the backside of the embroidery facing up so you can see that outer border while you sew. Then simply sew directly on top of that outer line and edge of the embroidered design. Sewing right on top of the stitched embroidery edge will look best and leave no gaps. Since we measured the seam allowance from this line as well, sewing along the embroidery edge also acts as a guide to sewing the correct seam allowance.

Place the pieces on the machine with the wrong side of the embroidery facing up, and sew the two pieces together with your chosen seam allowance as well as following the outer edge of the embroidered design. Make sure to sew directly on the outermost edge of the embroidery for best results.

After sewing the seam, press the seam over to one side. Use a pressing cloth when ironing to protect the stabilizer and fabric from the iron. For quilt blocks, we recommend pressing the seams to one side all in the same direction. This will help the corners look cleaner and line up better where pieces match up.

Repeat the previous steps to pin, sew, and press all the remaining pieces in that top row together. Make sure to keep pressing the seams in the same direction.

Then repeat to pin and sew together all the rows in your chosen multi-piece quilt block. For example, ours has three rows: a top row, center row, and bottom row. Each of our rows is made up of three embroidered pieces. Make sure to press the seams in the same direction.

Once the rows are complete, lay your top row on top of the one below it with right sides together. Match up the edge where you will be sewing carefully. Also make sure to match up any sewn seams that line up. Pin or clip them together.

Sew the rows together following the outer border line and your chosen seam allowance.

Then press the seam with a pressing cloth on top. Make sure to pick one direction to press the seam in and repeat it for all remaining rows when pressing.

Repeat the previous steps to line up, pin, sew, and press all the rows in your chosen block. Press each seam in the same direction.

To make the block even bigger for your chosen project, you can also add more borders and blocks around it.

Use your assembled multi-piece quilt blocks to create fun projects to decorate your home or give as gifts. We made ours into a lovely pillow, but these blocks can also be made into tote bags, quilts, clothing items, or anything else you can imagine.

Create gifts for friends and family or add to your decor!