You have the concept exactly correct.

Regular applique: cut out a shape, apply to the top of the base fabric.  The applique sits *on top* of the fabric.

Reverse applique: Place applique fabric UNDER the base fabric.  Cut a shape from the base fabric only (creating a hole); the applique fabric is now visible..  Turn under the edges of the shape.  The "applique" sits *behind* (under) the base fabric.

My opinion so far: it's an interesting technique.  I'm not sure if there is a specific situation where it would be preferred over standard applique.  It does give a different texture, since the applique sits under the base fabric.  Hmmm .. maybe if you were to mix the two techniques on the same piece, you might get a unique visual, with the different layers.

BUT, it's tedious (for me).  The small shapes (of this butterfly) are obnoxious to turn the edges under.  For standard applique, when I have small, obnoxious shapes, I use a water-soluable, fusible interfacing to cut the shape out of, to create a stand alone applique shape, which I then plop down onto the base fabric.   Also,  I think part of my dissatisfaction is the looser weave of my base fabric ... little snippets of the weave come unraveled.  I think a tighter weave in the base fabric would make the method easier.

I'm not entirely certain I'll attempt a second piece; I'm just not that in love with the process.

You were wondering where you would want to do reverse applique over regular. You many not be able to see the red ribbon at the bottom of this quilt but it says Albuquerque 1706 - 2006 on that ribbon. This was a group project with my guild back in 2006 and I was the one that did that red banner. I used reverse applique to do that word and the numbers.............there is no way this would have looked good if I would have tried to applique the blue letters and numbers on the banner. I just put the blue fabric under the red and wrote on the red fabric and cut away fabric as I worked on it. Then I appliqued the red ribbon with the letters and numbers to the quilt. I do not find either method of applique very different from each other and there are applications where reverse applique give way better results like in this case.

This is what I'm working on for all who asked for a photo. It's quilted (by check) and I am putting the binding on now. The binding will be dark blue. I hope all of those curves and inside miters go well. It is all batiks. I didn't think I would finish it in time for my brother and SIL's 50th Anniversary on June 20.

Mary

Mary, that is one awesome, breathtakingly beautiful, drop dead gorgeous quilt!

Can you tell that I like it?? 

I hope your brother and SIL are truly quilt worthy because the quilt is soooo total amazing.

Jo

Thanks for the amazing description. It sure looks nice on my bed. I started that quilt about seven  years ago and got bored with sewing all of those little pieces together. At the time I didn't realize the hard part was yet to come.

Seven years? 

And you are going to give this quilt away?

You sure must like those people!  LOL

Thank you Jo. They will appreciate it. My brother built his own house a and the workmanship is perfection. He also does woodworking on the side. He is retired now and is a contractor supervising building  Houses For Humanity. Lisa loves everything I make for her. She doesn't sew but has beautiful gardens and is active in garden clubs.

Mary

Mary, that is a simply superb quilt.  Double Wedding Ring is a labor of love, especially the way you've done it with all the individual wedges for the arcs (instead of simply cutting an arc of fabric).  Assembly is not for the faint of heart.   The scalloped edges are just fantastic.

This quilt is a masterpiece and from how you have described your brother and his wife, they will cherish this gift.

Wowsers. :)

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wow..gorgeous!!