applique

[Becky K.]

I am making a table runner out of random strips and plan to applique four leaves on top. My question is should I completely quilt the runner and then do the applique or should the applique be applied first and then quilt around it?
Thanks
Melynda

[Margo C.]

Welcome to the forum, Melynda! Your project can probably be done either way, but would depend partly on the technique you are planning to use for your appliqué. If you are going to do hand applique, you will want to do that part before you quilt it. If you will be doing machine appliqué, it would probably be easier if you do that first. If you are going to fuse it, either way will work. Hope that helps!

[Hannelore N.]

May I suggest that you press open any pieced seams that end up under your appliqué pieces. Bulky seam can sometimes 'show' through the fabric of the appliqué.

[Hannelore N.]

Thanks to both of you who responded. I'll repress the seams and I will be using wonder under and machine applique.

[Susan B.]

Has anyone every tried this? I saw it on another forum & it looks interesting.

"Another method as shown on Martha Pullen is to use water soluble thread in the
bobbin, regular thread in needle. Sew 2 appliqué pieces together and leave an
opening for turning. After turning, steam press the pieces and the water soluble
thread will disappear. You can also do this with fabric and dryer sheet if you
just need one appliqué piece."

[Susan B.]

This way of doing applique is called Faced Applique. I think Eleanor Burns also has taught it at some point.

I have done it using fusible interfacing as the facing, rather than muslin or 'good' fabric. You have to lay the interfacing piece sticky side to the right side of the fabric when stitching it around. Don't use water soluble thread, just regular thread that matches the color of the applique. Cut the slit in the center of the interfacing side and turn. The sticky side should be out now. You might have to clip inny curves and also trim the seam allowance if the applique is small. Push all edges out flat, and finger press the edges. Lay in place and using steam and pressing cloth if your interfacing needs it, fuse it in place on the quilt. Then top stitch it around the edges with your choice of stitching.

[wendy w.]

Wouldn't quilting show through a leaf if the background is quilted first :? I can see it working with Michelle's technique.

[Susan B.]

Michelle, wouldn't the applique be stiff with fusible interfacing?

Wendi, I wonder. I'd love to see a Sue Nichols/Pat Holly quilt in person.

[Susan B.]

Not if you use the lightest featherweight stuff. It's about as thick as a used dryer sheet.

I will say though, that it is not my preferred way to applique. I tend to do fusible with Heat N Bond Lite and do the "Donut" method, where all the inner fusible is cut out before it is applied to the applique, leaving only a thin scant 1/4" rim of fusible to stick to the fabric along the edges of the shape. Then I do a buttonhole stitch and the applique is totally soft in the middle and you can't even tell there is fusible in there.

[Sherry B.]

I absolutely love Shades Soft Fuse when I do fusible applique. It is the only product I've found that isn't stiff like a board. I first purchased it in Houston. Now I order it from their web site in 3 yard rolls.

[Nancy R.]

I haven't heard of this before, but Susan's description of the Martha Pullen method is, I think, different than the faced applique. I think what she is saying is that you sew the two pieces together with water soluable thread because you want to pull them back apart after they are ironed into shape. So, if you use fabric for both sides, you would end up with two applique shapes that are mirror images of each other. Certainly another interesting method to try!

Nancy

[Nancy R.]

Oh Nancy, I think you are right! I read it wrong. What an interesting method.

[Susan B.]

Sherry, SoftFuse by Shades Textiles is the brand recommended in this year's BOM. It's not easy to find around here & some of us :roll: :roll: bought a ton of the kind previously recommended by Sue Nichols. So, you are ordering straight from the company?

I just thought this turning process looked kind of easy for those of us who have never done anything but raw-edged applique wanted to try a way that looks more traditional. I don't envision doing anything that someone says is "tedious" :lol: :lol:

[Sherry B.]

Yes, now I buy it direct online unless I am at a show and I find it there. I love doing needle turn applique and have learned so much from several different TQS shows. However, some projects just seem to call for fusible and it is really fun to do the double blanket stitch like Ricky demoed or even just a straight stitch.

[Susan B.]

Does anyone ever mix styles of applique in one quilt? I'm thinking that it would probably be better to stick with one, but I'm curious.