Rebecca VLQ

So, this week I've been working on my Amy Butler "Love" quilt (yes, that fabric I HAD to have a year ago!) and one part uses freezer paper and glue stick. You iron on the paper on the back, without seam allowances and then cut 1/4" away from the paper. The glue stick is used to stick the seam allowance to the back, and ultimately you remove "most of" the freezer paper by wetting and tearing. On that particular quilt, I can see why you wait to remove....HOWEVER...

What if you were doing something like...ohhhhh, I dunno...Hawaiian applique? What if, instead of cussing and poking your fingers and taking a year to do ONE block with the needle turn method....you did this:

Cut Hawaiian applique pattern out on freezer paper, without seam allowances
Ironed on the back side of your fabric of choice
Used glue stick to secure the seam allowance back
LET DRY
Removed freezer paper
Pinned down to foundation fabric
Sewed along the edge, either with a straight stitch or decorative stitch

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In my mind, this would work. You wouldn't have a raw edge, but it would be faster than needle turn. Thoughts? Is this a generally recognized as ok practice?

Why wouldn't you do it this way?

QuiltnNan

i have used this method before... i think i saw it on a quilt program that did a reverse applique circle

jlm5419

I see no reason you couldn't do it this way. I have used freezer paper and glue stick with great results on some of the Dear Jane blocks I've done so far.

Holice

Of course you can do it the way you describe. There are no rules (maybe by the Hawaiians) in how you turn the edges.
My thoughts are - thats a lot of freezer paper if you are doing a large quilt. Someone posted on the board they get large rolls of freezer paper rather than the smaller rolls.
You might also turn the edges under and baste before attaching to the quilt. Another thought I had in reading your post is to cut a strp of no melt plastic and use that as a guide for turning the edges while you press
But to get to the bottom point.....anyway you can conveniently and easily turn the edges is ok.

kathy

that's what i did on this quilt, it worked but not real well, she rushed me for 4 for Christmas and it was Thanksgiving weekend when she asked. i could have done a better job with more time.
any way some of those turns and dips were pretty tight and still wanted to go their own way as the sewing began even with the glue
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-81105-1.htm

AndiR

One method I've seen is to use starch instead of glue stick. You can use spray starch, spray some in the can lid, and use a small paintbrush to paint the starch on the seam allowance. Then iron it dry. Now pull out the freezer paper and the starched edge is nice and crisp and ready to be appliqued to the background.

When I do this method, I usually make a double layer of freezer paper. (Just iron the two layers together.) The single layer is a bit too thin to hold up to the wetness of the starch. I think this is the method that Sharon Schamber uses.

ckcowl

try it- if it works for you= then you found a new technique to use for future projects- if it doesn't work- well at least you gave it a shot- and you may come up with a different way to try while you are trying that one.

candi

I use the sizing or starch method as described as well, only I use heat resistant templates instead of freezer paper..pressing the starched seam allowances over the template cause them to harden making it easy to pull the template out and the piece is all turned under and ready to applique.
I am using this method to make my Affairs of The Heart Quilt with the group on this board, it is time consuming, but I am happy with the results.

Rebecca VLQ

Thanks, guys! This gives me hope! :D