Another appliqué question - edges not quite sealed?

[Constance G.]

The other advantage that batiks have for raw-edge appliqué is that the color penetrates the fabric on both sides. Parts of what makes the whiskers on woven fabrics noticeable is that the lighter color from the underside peeks thru. Laura Wasilowski recommends batiks for her fused raw appliqué quilts.

I have had only minor issues with edge fraying on this project, but have learned to handle the pieces very gingerly.

I took Sue Nickels' appliqué class last May, and had the chance to get up close and personal with her sample quilts, many of which were featured in her books. Despite the fact that they get schlepped all over the country, there was not a whisker to be seen!

[Jeannine K.]

I am having this issue as well and it seems to help to press the border every so often as the Soft Fuse does seem to lift quite a bit. I just finished a little wall hanging and all I had was some very old Heat and Bond lite, it seemed to work better, but I was using a lot of batiks so not sure If it's a fair comparison. I am going to test the Heat and bond with the next border. I am still working on the first border and my biggest problem is the self threading needles shredding the thread. I also don't really like the dark green color of the Mettler thread, it seems very dull looking but will carry on with it as I'm half done.

Are most of you burying your threads or just taking them to the back and tying off? This is really labor intensive so ive started just taking thm to the back and tying them and clipping rather than threading through the stitches.

I did a huge hand appliquéd quilt last summer and I must say I enjoyed the process a lot more than this!

Jeannine

[Constance G.]

I did bury the thread tails for the 4 appliqué blocks on the light turquoise fabric, but not on the dark turquoise borders. Just pulled those threads to the back, knotted, and clipped to about 1/4-1/2 inch tail. It didn't seem there would be a risk of the thread tails shadowing thru on the darker fabric.

[Andree B.]

I am having this issue as well and it seems to help to press the border every so often as the Soft Fuse does seem to lift quite a bit. I just finished a little wall hanging and all I had was some very old Heat and Bond lite, it seemed to work better, but I was using a lot of batiks so not sure If it's a fair comparison. I am going to test the Heat and bond with the next border. I am still working on the first border and my biggest problem is the self threading needles shredding the thread. I also don't really like the dark green color of the Mettler thread, it seems very dull looking but will carry on with it as I'm half done.

Are most of you burying your threads or just taking them to the back and tying off? This is really labor intensive so ive started just taking thm to the back and tying them and clipping rather than threading through the stitches.

I did a huge hand appliquéd quilt last summer and I must say I enjoyed the process a lot more than this!

Jeannine

Jeannine,

I took Sue Nickel's class as well, and I take the habit of burying my threads: if the background fabric is light, then the threads might show through. If your self-threading needle is shredding your thread, then try another brand or maybe another one in the packet - they are not always behaving the same.

Andrée

[Judith A.]

I wholeheartedly agree that the various applique methods each have their strengths and weaknesses. I try them all.

I enjoy trying new media, tools and learning different methods of artistic expression.
After trying new things, I embrace some and file others away in the back burner of my mind, for a variety of reasons. For instance, I love needle-turn applique, but I could not applique at all if I had to do it needle-turn - due to carpel tunnel damage.

SewDreamy, your quilt is wonderful.

Judy

[Rita C.]

Jeannine, have you tried the spiral eye needles? No shredding with those. I have done some tying off and and some burying of threads - what a pain. Right now I am letting the machine tie off the threads and I will use a fabric glue stick to hide any stray threads. I will be so glad when I have this applique finished. :roll:

[Jeannine K.]

Thank you Rita, will try to pick up the spiral eye needles tomorrow or a different brand of the self threading. Right now I have put both ends of a contrasting thread through a larger needle and then using the thread loop at the end to surround the threads and bury them. It takes a bit longer though. When I did the interior blocks I buried all the threads as the background is lighter and I had a good self threading needle which I can't find at the moment. Will be glad to finish this appliqué.

Andre, thanks for the appliqué tips, where did you take your Sue Nickels class? I would love to take one of her classes in the next few yrs, I live on the west coast in BC, so would have to plan ahead.

Jeannine

[Constance G.]

Jeannine, I know of two places Sue will be teaching next year. She will be teaching 3/25-3/30/14 at the Empty Spools Seminars at Asilomar in California. The website is http://emptyspoolsseminars.com/2014session4.html

She and her sister Pat Holly will be doing Holly Girls Quilt Retreats in northern Michigan throughout September 2014. You can get more details at http://www.Sue-Nickels.com

[Andree B.]

Thank you Rita, will try to pick up the spiral eye needles tomorrow or a different brand of the self threading. Right now I have put both ends of a contrasting thread through a larger needle and then using the thread loop at the end to surround the threads and bury them. It takes a bit longer though. When I did the interior blocks I buried all the threads as the background is lighter and I had a good self threading needle which I can't find at the moment. Will be glad to finish this appliqué.

Andre, thanks for the appliqué tips, where did you take your Sue Nickels class? I would love to take one of her classes in the next few yrs, I live on the west coast in BC, so would have to plan ahead.

Jeannine

I took her appliqué class at the Vermont Quilt Festival back in June. You can check on her website for her schedule:
http://www.sue-nickels.com/schedule.php


Andrée

[Jeannine K.]

I decided to clean out my sewing room and found my Clover self threading needles, they work really great, the Prym will go in the trash! Things are going much quicker now, amazing what a difference a well made tool makes...

Jeannine

[Jeannine K.]

Thank you Connie and Andree for the info on Sue Nickels, will have to see if I can arrange to get to one of these, perhaps Asilomar as I will be away in the fall.

Jeannine

[Andree B.]

Thank you Connie and Andree for the info on Sue Nickels, will have to see if I can arrange to get to one of these, perhaps Asilomar as I will be away in the fall.

Jeannine

I'm positive you will enjoy her class!

Andrée

[Sherry B.]

Heat n Bond has a new product called Feather Lite (at least it is new to me). I am looking forward to trying it out and see how it compares to Softfuse.

[Jeannine K.]

I will be looking to try this new Heat n Bond as I was really happy with the wall hanging I made a few days ago using some old Heat n Bond I had on hand. It did not lift at all. The soft fuse is very soft but I'm not happy with the way it lifts. Maybe I am fusing it incorrectly??

[Sherry B.]

I used Heat n Bond Lite for years but didn't like how it was so stiff, especially when trying to quilt. I love Softfuse and have never had a problem. But I haven't found anyone in our area who sells it and it is very expensive, especially when you add on the price of shipping. My sister used the Heat n Bond Featherlite on a recent project, so I am waiting to hear what she thinks.