You have to get under the applique not along the side for them to be invisible. I use alot the thread you are using but I also use machine embroidery thread. You choose one that is just a shade darker and it blends well. Good luck you will enjoy it very relaxing tome

I like to use silk thread, as the thread is very fine and really light weight. When I first started using the thread I found it difficult to handle as the thread has a tendency to slip out of the needle a lot. Here are a couple of hints for using silk thread:

You will need to buy some 'Thread Heaven'. It comes in a small cobalt blue box that I would guess is about 1" by 1" in size. This is a thread conditioner that you can use on all threads to help keep them from knotting/tangling while sewing. It works especially well on silk thread because it gives the thread a little more weight and keeps it from being so 'fly-away".

When you applique a piece you always use single thread, unless you are outlining the piece as in doing a blanket stitch for decoration work. However, for decoration I usually use pearl cotton for that.

When you thread your needle, never use a thread longer than your forearm. If the thread is too long it will just tangle and wear thin in some places and have a tendency to break. When you are rolling the thread off the spool, hold the end of the thread in your fingertips and cut the thread at your elbow.

After threading your needle with silk thread, bring the needle to about 2 inches from the end of the thread and tie a double knot at the end of the needle. Knotting your thread at the needle will hold the thread in place so that the thread won't slip off the needle. The silk knot will be fine enough that you won't even notice the knot going through the fabric. Trust me on this. Before I started knotting the needle, I can't tell you how many times I realized that I was sewing with an empty needle.

As for color, the silk thread is so fine I rarely match my thread to the project. Silk thread has a tendency of melting into the fabric and takes on the color of the piece you are sewing with. I usually buy: white, taupe, grey and black. Once in a while you will need to buy a particular color, but not very often. Just remember that when you make your stitches, your needle should be placed straight down, right next to the edge of the piece you are sewing or just a micrometer under the edge of the fold of where you are sewing. In either case, it will keep your stitches hidden.

Hope this bit of information helps.

I just started using YLI and love it - the other one I have used with good success is Bottom Line - you can Google them to find where you can get them. Enjoy !!!

You use quilting thread for hand quilting the layers together.

Oh, and PS: to my earlier message...

I like using "straw needles" for appliqueing. They are thin needles that will slip into the fabric layers a lot easier than a quilting needle. Jeanna Kimble puts out great ones, as she sews with these, too. You can buy them on line from her or Keepsake Quilting or in your lqs.

When I started using Bottom Line I also "cast on" the thread on the needle. It's a little tricky to do but I thread the needle and then basically make a slip knot by passing the needle through a loop at the end of the thread.

It's like a knot but... not. :P It will come out but you have to deliberately un-do it. So frustrating when it comes unthreaded.

For machine applique I use 50 or 60 weight all cotton. For hand applique I use silk or 60 weight cotton.

I have always used Mettler's Silk Finish Cotton in the 60wt and had great results.

I use Mettlers cotton thread with silk finish, works wonderful for hand and machine.

I have used the Mettler 60wt. and 50wt. The 60wt. is really fine and disappears nicely. I was always frustrated with not having the right colors (I was always taught to match the thread to the applique piece) and the thought of having to buy 30 spools of thread for one quilt, of which I might only use a yard or two of, well I couldn't afford it. When I discovered the Masterpiece donut with 36 bobbins of different colored 60wt. fine cotton thread, I was so excited. If all your applique is being done with just a few fabrics, then buying full size spools of thread may make sense, buy if you are doing lots of colors, the donut is wonderful. I have always used just one strand, I have never heard of using two, it would be hard to make 2 disappear and not show.

I have tried the YLI size 100 silk, Aurifil size 50 and 60, Coats Dual Duty, Bottom Line, YLI Invisible in clear and smoke and So Fine.

For me, the Bottom Line wins - a light and medium warm neutral and a light and medium cool neutral seem to work for almost all the fabrics I've been using in applique.

The thread is easy to handle and doesn't shred or tangle as easily as the silk or the finer cotton threads. It's easy to knot and tie.

It has no shine on the applique and it won't melt under the iron. It is completely invisible where I've sewn small enough stitches.

I already loved the stuff for quilting, so now I'm really hooked. :)

Bottom Line on bobbins - 12 colors per set:
http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/...ique/products/ I bought these sets to cover those situations where the neutrals aren't disappearing enough. (But, I now think if I had just added a dark warm and a dark cool neutral, I might never have had to use the colors that actually match the appliques.)

Bottom Line on bobbins - 35 colors in a Bobbin Saver ring:
http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/...bs-2/products/

Bottom Line on 1420yd spools:
http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/...bs-2/products/ - if you get silver, cream, taupe and grey, these four colors will disappear on most appliqued fabrics.

A very 1930's look is to use three strands of embroidery floss and do the blanket stitch. I grew up with Little Dutch Girl and Little Dutch Boy (most people call them Sunbonnet Sue and his brother, but our family didn't for some reason) and they were hand done with embroidery floss. Not sure how Grandmother did hers so they lasted through about a million washings and being on kid's beds---but it worked fine. I haven't had as much luck and use floss only on wall quilts but then, I don't like to applique.

I use embroidery thread

I took an applique class at quilt camp many,many moons ago. The instructor suggested Mettler Silk Finish. Love it. Thread Magic comes in a small blue cube and will help the thead slide smoothly through the fabric. I think it helps with the wear issues too.

I use YLI 100 wt. silk thread and match the color to the piece that is being needle turned tack stitch appliqued. If I can't match exactly the piece I go with a darker shade as close as possible, because if you use a lighter shade it reflects the light and is more noticeable. If I don't have the right color in YLI 100 wt. silk, I use 60 wt - 2 ply (same as I use when piecing blocks for my miniature quilts.) Some greens, blues, beiges, browns in fabric colors can be appliqued with neutral threads in the taupes, beiges, greys (as appropriate to the fabric color)as they seem to be able to blend into the piece being appliqued.

As with any technique, we all have our favorites. I needle turn applique and use YLI silk thread. My 2 "go to" colors are #242 and #235 as they blend with anything. You don't really "need" to get a lot of different colors as the thread is buried and practically invisible. It's just fun to pick up some different colors. Have fun, whatever you do:)

For hand applique, I use dmc machine embroidery thread in 50 weight. The 60 weight, as 7dwarfs mentioned, might be better because it's thinner. I like this thread for applique. I find that neutral color thread, most of the time works great...but I do have some colors and use those if they match.

I use silk thread from Connecting Threads. I use a single strand and a straw needle. The thread becomes practically invisible. I found the silk off white blends well with all prints.

I bought one of those carousels that hole a whole lot of different colored spools and I lust love it. It has every color you need. Before that I used the silk thread because it disappears into the appliqué. Jan

I love the YLI silk thread, too. Great colors, too, if you find a shop with a variety.

This is what I do also ... with YLI silk. I usually just use either a light gray or a dark gray depending on the fabric since the thread really doesn't show.

CherlyLynn.....the little guy in the picture is absolutely adorable!!!!

I've been working on my first needle turn hand applique project all weekend and I am using Sulky rayon. I really like it.

P/s...it's for a wallhanging. I would have likely chosen something more hearty for a usable piece.

I use silk or cotton thread to applique (I hand applique)and focus on matching the tread color. I love the feel I get appliquing with silk thread.

Glad to see this response because I've used embroidery floss many times and didn't know if that was a good idea or not. I like using it for the variety in color... Good tip about rinsing it.

I especially like the new Coats & Clark Fine--better than silk and it doesn't rot. You can use #450 C&C #50 weight (standard weight for sewing). It's a neutral gray color. I use this color for much of my machine piecing.

For needle turn applique, I always coat it with Thread Heaven, helps with eliminating slip knots.

Sandy

Embroidery floss has too loose a twist for sewing and can wear out more quickly that thread that is intended for machine or hand stitching.

Sandy

I use either cotton thread or Anchor embroidery thread which is cotton any way. There are many more colors in the embroidery thread and a lot easier to match to the fabric.