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applique question

16 years ago

Alright ladies. I know questions about applique come up all the time, but here's my version. I have some little die cut hearts that I want to applique on white squares for a baby quilt. I started out by putting one heart on the adhesive side of a light weight fusible, sewing around the edge, and then turning inside out so the edges are turned. This seems like a lot of extra work since I still have to machine appplique it down even though it's fused. Can't I just pin or glue the heart onto fabric and machine applique leaving rough edges. Would this be suitable for a baby quilt? Or is it one of those my quilt, my rules types of situations?

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Comments (9)

geezerfolks_SharonG_FL
16 years ago
Fran, My view is that if you satin stitched, there wouldn't be any raw edges. There is a technique called Slapplique that I've used......slap it down and sew 1/4" from edge. I don't think this would work for a baby quilt though.

SharonG/FL
teresa_nc7
16 years ago
If I were doing this little quilt, I would fuse the hearts to Wonder Under or Steam a Seam, whatever, cut them out, fuse them onto the quilt top, then do machine buttonhole stitch (tiny) or a very small, short zigzag stitch to anchor them down and finish off the raw edge. Satin stitch is my least favorite stitch to finish a raw edge.

Teresa
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I'm in the process of learning to hand applique and I love it! It takes longer than zipping through with the machine, but it's much more relaxing (for me) to do in the evening sitting with DH and watching TV. I've been using a variety of techniques that have been mentioned here on the forum (including Back Basting that easystitches wrote about), and have found that I'll probably use them all (except for freezer paper....it keeps coming off and doesn't really seem to be that exact to me) at one point or another, depending on the pattern. To make this really portable, using the Back Basting technique, various parts of the pattern can be basted on at the same time and you're good to go! One thing I did yesterday, was to machine baste around the top of a half-circle (it was for a heart) and clipped it a few times.....it seemed to be easier to turn under and I was pleased with the outcome. My points are much better since I learned to fold the point down and then turn each side in but I'm still having trouble with the "V" in stars, but hopefully that will come. Whew! SharonG/FL Here is a link that might be useful: Back Basting Tutorial
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Annie--that is beautiful work for sure! You mentioned how well your machine's tension is--what kind of machine do you use? I haven't done a lot of machine quilting, but in my case, I've found that I've had better luck with a lighter weight thread than cotton, like icacord (not sure about the spelling) For my machine applique, I did end up using wonder-under, (or one of those brands) and had no problem with gumming up my needle. I would like to try the method you mentioned though, just for something different.
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I have not had a problem just fusing things like apples in place with out protection but it is recommended. I wouldn't use wax paper as the wax can get on your cloth. I have a pressing sheet of teflon that I use and also the bigger paper pieces from the back of fusable web after it is removed. (I have always save the larger pc.) Another thing that works well is parchement paper. I have never tried freezer wrap but I think it might not release well once it has been pressed onto the fused area. Hope this helps. Jayne
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Judy I don't have any special or secret tricks because I am also trying to master hand applique. Sharon, I like the tutorial you posted, I am definitely going to try it. I have been using the freezer paper on the back and it keeps coming off..but I haven't been basting. My biggest trouble spot is the inside corners...I always have a couple threads poking out where you cut at 45. The tutorials are very good but we still need the help from you experts on the trouble spots we run into. Jean
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redpenny
16 years ago
I agree with Teresa when I do my appliques I would fuse the hearts to Wonder Under or Steam a Seam, whatever or pellon light weight fuse is what I use, cut them out, fuse them onto the quilt top, then do machine buttonhole stitch. the buttonhole stitch is my favorite I don't like a zagzag or satin...
Red
nanajayne
16 years ago
I think the techique that you are refering to is used if you want the applique to look like hand applique. You use a small blind hem stitch with clear thread to machine stitch so it is difficult to see.
I like the fuse method that others have mentioned using the tiny button hole or blanket stitch. I think it would be very nice on a baby quilt.
Jayne
teresa_nc7
16 years ago
I understand the reason why you suggest the blind hem with clear thread, Jayne, but I do not like to use clear, monofilament thread on baby or bed quilts. I think it might be scratchy, so I save that for use on wall quilts. To each her own.
Teresa
fran1523
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone. I think I will skip the turning inside out process using the fusible and just use a little zig zag or button hole stitch to hold them down. I'm going to try Roxanne's glue baste it to see if I can avoid Wonder under altogether. I find satin stitch really difficult to do well.
mrseldoo
16 years ago
Fran,

I was just going to say that you might not want to skip the fusible. The fusible helps to bond the fabric so that the edges won't fray as badly. You will prob. need this if you are not turning the edges under first.

In addition, I think it would be very hard to applique the hearts down without the fusible since it can act as a kind of stabilizer.

Can't wait to see your quilt!
easystitches
16 years ago
I use Teresa's method too. One thing to keep the quilt from being stiff is to remove the center portion of your fusible, leaving say 1/2 - 3/4 inch at the outer edge of your motiff. I think the softest fusible is Steam a seam lite 2. Between the fusible & the small buttonhole stitch it won't fray. My other cheater tip is to use varigated thread, you can't see your boo boo's & you don't have to match thread. Jill
nanajayne
16 years ago
I agree with using fusable for applique. I have tried the techique of removing the center and didn't like the results, that is a personal prefrence, but I think if its being used on a quilt that stitching around the applique is important to adhere them. Teresa, when I mentioned the invisable thread I was refering to the way it could be done when using the fusable interfacing and the turning method, not something I was recomending. I think that you can us fine matching thread and a blind stich with equally good results. I agree it isn't very appealing for baby. quilts. Jayne

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