The "A" (as in applique) word
#1
I see so many absolutely stunning quilts that many of you share with us and I assume, I know that's a terrible word, that they are all hand applique.
I have been quilting for over 25 years but have yet to do very much of it. I think I am a little intimidated by the whole idea of appliqueing anything but a very simple block. I'm wondering how many of you out there do the real thing and how many either machine applique or fuse. If you machine, do you use a buttonhole stitch or a satin stitch and if you fuse, what's the best fusible you use? What method works best for you? What tips can you give me? I need some help getting motivated and am hoping that your experience will light a fire under me. Thanks.
I have been quilting for over 25 years but have yet to do very much of it. I think I am a little intimidated by the whole idea of appliqueing anything but a very simple block. I'm wondering how many of you out there do the real thing and how many either machine applique or fuse. If you machine, do you use a buttonhole stitch or a satin stitch and if you fuse, what's the best fusible you use? What method works best for you? What tips can you give me? I need some help getting motivated and am hoping that your experience will light a fire under me. Thanks.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2,189
I am not a fan of applique. BUT I have done it both ways--machine and hand. I hate hand work, but love the look of hand applique better than machine. Some can get the corners looking great with a machine, mine look like a disaster.... I usually do button hole stitch by hand and satin on machine (because of the disaster with button hole) I ALWAYS use some form of fusing. The last hand applique I did I use Steam a Seam 2 and it was very thick for me and difficult to needle. When I use a cheap fuse from a bolt from Jo-anns I don't have that problem. You just need to try different things to see what you like and go from there. Good luck on your adventure!
#4
I fuse with Steam-a-Seam2 (or some other lighter brand, can't recall the name), and then buttonhole stitch around the edge on the smallest length/width settings that my machine will do to secure it down. It opens up a lot of possibilities! :)
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 3,291
I do a lot of applique. Even though I love the look of hand applique, I don't do it. I hate hand work. I do raw edge machine applique. I fuse with wonder-under and depending on what I'm doing, I will use the applique stitch on my machine, which looks like a botton hole stitch, or the zig zag stitch. I use the zig zag stitch for more details work, like when I'm appliquing Airedales.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
I do some hand work but only if I want to go for the "rustic" look. SOmehow, my curves get a little choppy.
For machine applique, I like steam-a-seam 2 and I secure with a blanket stitch. If the piece is large, I trim the interfacing so the center of the piece is not stiff. I hear that steam-a-seam light also cuts down on the stiffness.
For machine applique, I like steam-a-seam 2 and I secure with a blanket stitch. If the piece is large, I trim the interfacing so the center of the piece is not stiff. I hear that steam-a-seam light also cuts down on the stiffness.
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