Prism99

It's the technique in her book, Piecelique, that uses the leave-in foundation for turned-under applique. I got all the stuff and am experimenting with it this afternoon. So far, I'm not liking it as much as Harriet Hargrave's freezer paper approach. The foundation isn't as firm as freezer paper, so it seems to be more difficult to cut a precise edge and also to turn a precise edge.

Just wondering if anyone else has used either technique? I've been happy with using freezer paper, but was hoping to avoid the step of removing it after the applique was sewn. Since I tend to be a perfectionist, I'm thinking I may have to just live with that step.

Margie

I havent tried it....but since it isnt as "stiff", maybe if you use a heavy spray starch on your fabric before you piece it it, it might help?
Just a thought.


Margie

Prism99

Thanks. The problem is with the foundation edge not being stiff enough to hold the edge while I turn the fabric allowance under. I did try spray starching but the foundation still did not stiffen it up sufficiently. The foundation is semi-water soluble, so I had to be extra careful handling it while it was wet with the starch too.

I am going to do the same pieces with my old method of freezer paper and and children's paste to see if the results are better. It may be I choose pieces that are too tiny to really get a good test result on.

sewbeeit42

Sharon Schamber has her own newsletter which I registered to receive. Right now she is offering free, through the month of February, a four part set of on-line lessons on the Sew as You Go Piece-Lique Leaf including the pattern. You still might be able to register at her site and watch the videos. She uses several sheets of freezer paper ironed together for the pattern and very little starch right on the edge, doing small sections at a time, ironing as she works. She claims that this this prevents the starch from soaking through and making the edges weak.

Prism99

Sewbee, thanks for posting! I registered for the newsletter awhile back but don't think I've gotten one yet.

I watched the four-part video on the leaf, and I think I'll try the double-freezer paper method tomorrow. I know I tried this years ago and burned my fingers using the iron; that's why I abandoned it as a method. I hadn't watched anyone else do it, though, so the video was helpful. Most of my pieces are quite small. On some of them I think I will try using a heat-safe plastic template, spray starch on the edge, and then wrap in foil before ironing. Less chance of burning my fingers that way.