ManiacQuilter2

I guess we ALL agree to applique before quilting. You will want to outline that cute owl. It would be so difficult to applique after quilting especially trying to keep your stitches off the back of the quilt.

Daffy Daphne

On the border of this quilt that was QAYG, I quilted the crosshatch lines first, then hand appliqued the vine, flowers and leaves just through the top and batting, so those stitches didn't show. The back did show quilting around the applique as well as the crosshatching. That may have looked a little odd, but I was happy with it. I could never have crosshatched the border after doing the applique.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]492996[/ATTACH]

Daffy

BizzieLizzie

I find that appliqueing before sandwiching and quilting much easier. I am in the process of adding appliqued butterflies to a finished quilt as requested by a friend and I am finding it a little more difficult than the appliqued top I made where I appliqued, sandwiched and quilted afterwards. It has to do with the number of layers you will need to sew through I think. Best wishes.

WTxRed

I think it all depends on what you like! And how you're going to quilt it, and finish your applique, and use it. Personally, I applique just the top before quilting on the projects I've done. That said, there are instances like Daffy addressed above that it's appropriate afterwards. I know Amy Butler came out with a huge applique quilt (Cameo Ornament Quilt) a year or so back where the whole top design was appliqued after quilting!

leeannamm

Thank you!

quiltstringz

I have seen many quilts that had applique on them and then they were quilted edge to edge so the quilting did go over the applique. It just depends on who is doing the quilting and what they feel comfortable doing. The ones that I have seen honestly the edge to edge (pantograph) quilting going through the applique really didn't take anything away from it.

QuiltnNan

i love the look, daffy. and the flowers are so pretty.

mariatherese

I just wanted to say I love it! (and I had the same question when I did my first applique)

Daffy Daphne

Thank you, Nan!

Daffy

MargeD

Your owl applique is gorgeous, but put appliques on first then quilt around the appliques separately and maybe do cross-hatching across the 9-patch blocks is simple, fast and looks good as well.