Melissa, I KNOW what you mean...put it on the 'backside' Terri only understands mucky talk lol!!!!!

:lol: :lol:

I do my appliqueing before I sandwich and quilt it.

Okay! Got it! I did a practive circle with batting, but Melissa--you're right--I do not want to turn the mass around for every turn of a tail. :D I should be able to start today....

My kids are both here! :D :D :D Rach and I made rolls for tomorrow's dinner...I made soup and fed Justin, now the dishes are done. Having kids home is hard work! :lol:

I agree Barnbum about the kids being lots of work but ssssooooo worth it. One of my two will be home for Christmas and I am already planning and looking forward to it. We talk on the phone all the time but I'm looking forward to them being here.

Okay--I know I am a visual learner... but how do you take the 'stabilizer' off once you've sewn on it! You gals aren't talking about the spray stuff--but a piece of fabric of some sort?? I'm confused. I don't need to know to work on this... but I'm still befuddled.

I applique a lot and generally use the blanket stitch before quiltitng and jsut do outline quilting around the piece once the sandwich is put together.
I 'm sure that you have discovered that everyone has a favorite method. I woudl say to experiment and see which one appeals to you the most before doing the cats.

There are different forms of stabilizer.

one is a tear away which is a paper that once you sew through it you pull it away. Another kind is cut away. Another is water soluble.

Sulkey is probably the major supplier of it although there are others out there.

I know I learn better with pictures. Hopefully this helps.

I always use a tear away of some sort. Typing paper works very well if you dont want to go buy the commercial stuff. I use it most of time even though I have a roll of the "real" stuff. But you dont want to just rip, hold your fingers over the line of stitching as you pull with the other hand.

I sewed two cats!!! It's not purrrfect, but where I went a bit off line looks like hair. :wink: I'm using my extension shelf and boy does that use neck muscles I don't use to haul water. :? I found a pair of green rubber gloves I bought to try to keep my hands dry in the winter, but they aren't warm enough--but they're perfect for moving fabric!! They are invaluable to me now!!

The only thing that I don't like is home many holes this puts in the fabric--I can see them when I hold it up--yikes. Seems I should use a dark batting, but I know it'll be fine once it's together.

I understand stabilizer for between an applique piece and the back, but not behind the back. If it's so thin it can be torn or wash away--how can it be helpful?

I'm such a newbie in some areas, many areas. :roll: