Appliquing stems
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,869
Appliquing stems
Help! I'm not sure if I need to applique these, or if I can use piping or just take a 1-inch strip of fabric folded in three to make the stems / vines.
Here's what I am doing ... I have the pattern, and it just says to applique them - haha ... not very helpful! Any ideas - besides hand-applique - I won't do that!
Here's what I am doing ... I have the pattern, and it just says to applique them - haha ... not very helpful! Any ideas - besides hand-applique - I won't do that!
#2
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
I think if you are working by machine only your best bet is to make bias stems. You sew a bias strip of fabric into a tube then you can use special bias bars, or heat resistant wire ties (which you can pick up in any auto parts store) in the width you want your stems to be to turn your seam to the back of the stem which will be against your background fabric. I would use elmers washable school glue to adhere them while you sew them down. You need to make them on the bias because stems usually have curves in them to make them more visually interesting.
Here is a tutorial but only one of many on the internet. https://lynetteandersondesigns.typep...y-entry-3.html
Here is a tutorial but only one of many on the internet. https://lynetteandersondesigns.typep...y-entry-3.html
Last edited by feline fanatic; 01-28-2020 at 01:16 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Rosemere, Quebec, Canada
Posts: 322
Thanks for that cjsews! I'd never heard of that technique before. Will certainly try it!
#6
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,869
I think if you are working by machine only your best bet is to make bias stems. You sew a bias strip of fabric into a tube then you can use special bias bars, or heat resistant wire ties (which you can pick up in any auto parts store) in the width you want your stems to be to turn your seam to the back of the stem which will be against your background fabric. I would use elmers washable school glue to adhere them while you sew them down. You need to make them on the bias because stems usually have curves in them to make them more visually interesting.
Here is a tutorial but only one of many on the internet. https://lynetteandersondesigns.typep...y-entry-3.html
Here is a tutorial but only one of many on the internet. https://lynetteandersondesigns.typep...y-entry-3.html
#7
After looking at the gorgeous quilt I would follow the instructions on creating the stems. Other methods my not give you the results you are seeking. I know it is a lot of work for just the stems but the finished quilt will be worth the efforts. I would however secure them with Elmer's School Glue before I started the applique.
#8
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,869
After looking at the gorgeous quilt I would follow the instructions on creating the stems. Other methods my not give you the results you are seeking. I know it is a lot of work for just the stems but the finished quilt will be worth the efforts. I would however secure them with Elmer's School Glue before I started the applique.
Thanks!
#9
they wont' move on you much of you do the main folded part on one side as suggested, then machine stitch holding that part out of the way, then stitch that down by hand. can slip stitch if necessary. Watch some videos. Lovely quilt!!
#10
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,585
Here's how I like to do bias stems. You can also sew the first half on by machine, then do the rest by hand. I've found it doesn't take that much longer to do by hand, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faJ2K4Ynsiw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faJ2K4Ynsiw