MarionsQuilts

I am looking at doing a very intense / intricate quilt with lots of quilting and lots of applique.

I have done two ways:

1 - applique the design to the top fabric and then do the quilting through all three layers
2 - put the three layers together and do the background quilting, and then the do applique on top

For those of you who have done extensive quilting / applique ... which method is the best? Or does it matter?

This isn't what I am doing, but this is the idea that I am tossing around in my head:

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/500673683564128720/

Thanks very much,

Marion

dunster

I would definitely do the applique first.

aashley333

I appliqued the 42 blocks to form the top, then quilted.

feline fanatic

Choice 1.
The only time I would opt for choice 2 is if it was a border and I wanted cross hatch as the backfill.

FMQ is much easier for me to quilt around and ditch the already applied applique. I can then make a good determination if the applique needs a bit of quilting inside of it.

quiltingshorttimer

totally agree with Feline Fanatic. I usually only do minimal quilting on applique as I figure that with all the time spent on applique, it deserves to shine! So only quilting is done to enhance and secure it.

Also, I'd suggest you use double bat--an 8/2 on the bottom with wool on top so that the applique really popped!

QuiltnNan

I would applique then quilt. if done the other way, the bumps from the quilting will show up behind the applique, i believe

ckcowl

Appliqué then quilt. It is much easier to appliqué the pieces to one layer, then the appliqué doesn’t distract from the quilting either.

MarionsQuilts

Well heck .. more work than I wanted LOL ... I wanted to be able to do it all at once (not saying that I can't ... ) but I don't want it to look funny either when it's done!

Thanks so much for the input ... I will do all the applique first! (It's not going to be a massive quilt, more like a wall hanging) ... so it shouldn't be too bad!