applique quilting

[Nancy R.]

Hi! I am new here, looking forward to the information and also seeing some beautiful, inspirational quilts! I have a question first though. I've made traditional quilts and paper pieced. I am drawn to realistic animal quilts. That process involves the ironing on of the pieces but I wonder if I need to stitch around each individual piece or don't sew it? Most of what I make are for gifts so I have to ensure the quilts can be washed since I'm not sure how the quilts will be used (decoration or acutally used). Thanks!

[Lois B.]

Have you looked at Rob Appell's quilts - Episode #812. I haven't done any of those quilts. There are other episodes that feature animals too. Check back through old shows you can buy access to those shows for something like $7.50/3 episode and buying old series provides a great resource. Good luck.

Forgot to say, welcome to the Forum. Check in here often there is usually lively discussion about something.

[Eileen K.]

Susie, I've found that fused applique does need some stitching to keep it adhered after washing. I have a quilt that has fall leaves appliqued on it; I've washed it every year before I put it away. I put stitching on as the veins of the leaves, with nothing around the edges. Over time, the points on the leaves have curled up. Since I have the whole thing quilted, I really can't go back and fix them. Since then, I've used the button hole or satin stitch.

[wendy w.]

Hi, I'd say definately stitch if it's going in the wash. For an animal type quilt I would do a straight stitch around each piece near to the edge though you could zigzag.

Make sure you show us what you make

[Rita C.]

Hi Susiequsie, welcome to the forum. There are lots of programmes on different methods of construction. Rob Appel does one version and David Taylor does another. It's just a matter of preference. But if you are doing raw edge fused applique then you will definitely need to stitch the pieces down.

[Nancy R.]

Yep, stitch the pieces down if it will be washed. If it's a wallhanging and won't be washed, then I would still do some stitching on each piece but it doesn't have to be around the edges. For a quilt to be washed, I would stitch around the edges in a style that compliments the quilt. For realistic animal applique, I'm with Wendy - stitch around the outside edge with a simple straight stitch. I often will save the stitching to do while quilting since I generally want to quilt around the edges of the applique anyway. That saves some time since then I'm only stitching once instead of twice. But it also puts the quilting slightly inside of the applique rather than slightly outside of it, so you'll have to decide if you like that. One word of warning with that straight stitch on the edge is that you need to be careful about how close to the edge you get. If you get too close, you'll cause fraying. So you want to get as close as possible without getting too close. That just takes a little practice and will be different depending on the type of fabric used for the applique.

Nancy

[Nancy R.]

Thank you all so much! I will get busy. I will post pics of my other quilts in a bit. Right now I am working on a Halloween applique (small) wall hanging/pillow, something that won't be washed. Other projects that I'm interested in will need the stitching I am guessing. I appreciate your help and I may ask more as I get stitching!!

[Nancy R.]

Hi SusieQsie, welcome to the forum! Ditto to what's been said and look forward to see photos of your quilts.

[Betty J.]

Hi Susie, Welcome to the forum! I do a lot of fused applique and have found that even a hot humid day can cause your appliques to tend to come off if they are not stitched down. You can achieve a lot of interesting looks with your stitching, and it depends on what you want. If I don't want the stitching to be particularly noticeable I will use 100 weight matching silk or monofilament thread and a very narrow zig zag or single blanket stitch. Outlining the appliques with a noticeable thread can also be beautiful. Look forward to seeing your quilts! Cheers.

[Betty J.]

Good question and welcome here Susie Q. Lots of good advice here.

[Lynn K.]

Hi and welcome!

My daughter is "Sue" and I've always called her "SusieQ" so I feel like I already know and like you! ha

Lynn