Favorite appliqué technique?

[Margo C.]

OK Bomettes! We now have a new forum topic for the 2011 BOM called Ruffled Roses! Let's get started by talking about our favorite appliqué techniques because that is what we will be doing for the first month.

In her directions, Sue covers her favorite method which is needle-turn. I truly love to do needle-turn, and always have a project at hand to work on, but for this BOM, I have done both my scrappy version and the Beloved Beauties version with turned edge machine appliqué, because I feel like it's more secure than my hand stitching, and my quilts are made to be loved and used up! I also like the fact that because I use STABLE STUFF as a foundation, the appliqués have more dimension than a fused project does.

What is your favorite technique and why?

[Jill B.]

The only applique I have done have been on cot quilts mostly and they are fused and then machine sewn.

I have not used "turned edge machine applique", can you recomend any on-line videos I could watch so I can start to practice this method, I would like to try this as it would be something new for me learn. I can always go back to fused/machine.

Thanks Margo this site is going to be a fantastic help to us all, especialy the beginners like myslef.

[Frances L.]

I do a kind of needle turn applique that I learned from Becky Goldsmith. I trace the piece on the front of the fabric and cut a seam allowance. When I am ready to applique it on, I finger press the seam allowance under along the line. Then as I am stitching the piece down, I use a toothpick to turn the edge under. I keep the toothpick in my mouth because a damp toothpick will catch the fabric better.
Frances

[Frances L.]

I have only just started to do applique. I learned from watching Becky Goldsmith when her show was free to watch. I have found stitching by hand to be very relaxing. I do plan to try Margo's method after the holidays. She has a great picture tutorial on her website album. It is this years BOM hugs and kisses. Great picture by picture instructions and even better you can always ask Margo questions if you're confused.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...76127612MrslzR

SueW
Upstate NY

[Robin G.]

I usually use needle-turn appliqué and I love doing it that way (especially with my new thimble!!), but I might try the Stable Stuff for this one. I'll have to think about that some.

[Margo C.]

Jilly, as mentioned by SueW, I did post a Webshots tutorial for the 2010 Hugs & Kisses BOM that uses my turned edge machine appliqué and you can view that now.
I will be posting a new tutorial for TQS star members who download Sue's directions demonstrating the technique on Ruffled Roses. I have lots of additional hints that will make things easier for you!
Yes, you will need to download a second set of instructions, but that gives you more bang for your buck, don't you think!! :wink:

Frances, I love Becky's techniques, and finger pressing the seam allowances under is a HUGE help with needle-turn! It's like the edges know where they are supposed to go, don't they! For a review of this technique, check out my first tutorial for our very first BOM, Bouquets for a New Day: http://good-times.webshots.com/album...GQwDk?start=12 This is the first tute. (The rest are numbered and are at the bottom of the Webshots link.)

Robin, one main difference between needle-turn and my machine technique is that the fabrics for needle-turn are pre-washed and soft to handle. I use LOTS of starch and glue, so my projects are really stiff and need to be laundered when they are done to remove the chemicals, but they come out just as soft as needle-turn. That is one of my objections to fused techniques is that they don't really get soft.

If someone has found a fusible that gets really soft, I would love to hear about it!

[Maureen A.]

I was fortunate to go the Houston this year for the first time and met Sue and Margo. I have several types of applique for machine and do needle turn by hand. What brand is Stable Stuff?
Maureen

[Margo C.]

Maureen, STABLE STUFF is available through Ricky's web site. It can be purchased in 8-1/2" x 11" sheets that can be run through the printer or by the yard, which is more economical if you don't need to use your printer.

yardage: http://www.rickytims.com/online-stor...category_id=26
printer size: http://www.rickytims.com/online-stor...category_id=26

I'm not sure but I think this is the same product that Sharon Schamber sells for her appliqué foundations. Ricky's price is a little better.
http://www.purpledaisiesllc.com/Regu...tion_p/184.htm

I really like the way it gives a little fullness to the appliquéd shapes, but is really soft after it's laundered.

[Kathryn S.]

Margo, I've done one quilt with needle turn applique, learned from Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins' DVD on applique. It was wonderful and
so much fun. I finished the top over 2 years ago and am still hand quilting it! So, in the interest of time, I might try the machine applique. Stable Stuff
is a nice stabilizer, and I like the edges turned under. Any chance that the tutorial could be posted earlier than January??? I would really love to practice
this technique before working on the BOM.
And I also want to add how much I appreciate you being our cheerleader, encourager, tutor, and all the other things that go into being the List Mom. Your lovely
presence here adds so much to my experience.
Thanks, Kathy

[Jules M.]

I took an appliqué class by Joanie Zeier Poole this summer (7/10) and love her method. I don't do handwork. Her appliqué is invisible machine appliqué with turned-under edges. Just perfect for me!

[Jules M.]

I also really like the Stable stuffy machine applique method and bought a yard the last time I ordered. It's nice to have all the pieces glued together before assembling and a little dimension to the applique.

[Jules M.]

I love machine applique because my fimgers won't allow me to do hand work any more. Too many years of using the needle by hand. Does any ome remember show 210 with Beth Ferriere(spelling). She does machine applique similar to what Margo is showing in her videos. Check it out and you can see what she uses . Nan

[Jules M.]

Like several others, I also needle turn the Piece O'Cake way. (I love to applique because of Becky Goldsmith.) It feels so natural, fast and easy. I've tried fused and machine sewn but have never liked the way it looks so flat in traditional applique. I know that I really don't like freezer paper and spray starch. That is a lot of time spend before you start to stitch...and I just want to stitch. I will take some time and watch all the suggested links and tuts. There could be another method out there for me.

[Margo C.]

Margo, I've done one quilt with needle turn applique, learned from Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins' DVD on applique. It was wonderful and
so much fun. I finished the top over 2 years ago and am still hand quilting it! So, in the interest of time, I might try the machine applique. Stable Stuff
is a nice stabilizer, and I like the edges turned under. Any chance that the tutorial could be posted earlier than January??? I would really love to practice
this technique before working on the BOM.
And I also want to add how much I appreciate you being our cheerleader, encourager, tutor, and all the other things that go into being the List Mom. Your lovely
presence here adds so much to my experience.
Thanks, Kathy

Thanks for the kind words, Kathy! I sort of think of myself as the Forum Housemother, but List Mom may sound more friendly! :wink:

No, I can't post the tutorial early, but you are welcome to review the one on Webshots that shows Hugs and Kisses. It's the same technique, just different shapes! Just take a simple shape and try the gluing technique and stitch it to some background fabric.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...76127612MrslzR

[Margo C.]

I love machine applique because my fimgers won't allow me to do hand work any more. Too many years of using the needle by hand. Does any ome remember show 210 with Beth Ferriere(spelling). She does machine applique similar to what Margo is showing in her videos. Check it out and you can see what she uses . Nan

Nan, thanks so much for reminding us about Beth's wonderful show! I use STABLE STUFF where she uses freezer paper, so it defines the shape of my pieces, but it does not have to be removed! It stays in the project and after it's laundered it leaves just a hint of stuffing/trapunto to the shape! Not "bloated" as Ricky says!

I also use a cuticle stick to refine the shapes, but I got an extra large one (from Sally Beauty Supply) for this because it's easier for me to hold.

Her method for using the light box to line up the overlapping pieces is how I assemble the appliquéd swags in Ruffled Roses!

I will tell you that preparing the shapes (gluing the edges) does take some time, and then the stitching goes very quickly. I don't use the vari-overlock stitch, but prefer to just use a small zig-zag stitch. It puts more stitches on the edges of the appliqué where they hold the shape on rather than in the background fabric where it doesn't do me any good! That great tip is from Libby Lehman.

And Alex's tip early in the show for stitching together the bottom of the postage stamp basket block is how I recommend stitching the bottoms of the 24 pieced baskets that make up a border in Ruffled Roses!

GREAT SHOW!!