What to do with raw edges on fused applique

[Norma H.]

I am going to have raw fused edges on my wall quilt. Should I stitch it down with matching thread? Laura Wasilowski probably leaves them alone, I think. Just wondered if there would be fraying. Also not sure what kind of stitch to use. I am thinking that doing a lot of stitching like Melinda Bula does might be good. But I originally wasn't planning to stitch anything with matching thread. Just intending to sew black thread to suggest feathers. It's a fused quilt of two parrots on a perch.

I'm sure there are many ways to approach this. Does anyone have any advice? Or other peoples quilts on here to view or in the TQS shows? Thanks in advance for any opinions. Jan

[Betty J.]

Jan,

There are several factors that go into deciding how to treat raw edged fusible appliques. Is the quilt going to be washed? It sounds like it is going to hang on the wall. Do you like the look of raw edges? I personally don't, even though I know that Laura does not finish her edges. What kind of fusible webbing did you use? Some of them hold better than others. How much quilting are you planning on doing? Sometimes the quilting is sufficient to hold everything down if it isn't going to be washed (like Laura's)

If it were me though, I would probably stitch the edges with a very narrow blanket stitch using monofillament thread or matching light weight thread such as Bottom Line or 100 wt silk. I would put my open toed embroidery foot on the machine and set the stitch all the way to the right. Narrow the stitch and shorten the stitch length. then (slowly) stitch it down running the right edge of the foot just along the edge so the outside stitch is on the quilt and the left zig over is on the applique. Make a practice piece and practice first to get the tension and stitch width and length right first and give you a practice run.

Sometimes it looks fabulous to stitch it with a contrasting thread., but I think it sounds like you might want the stitch not to show very much. Also, it sometimes looks nice to use a satin stitch zig zag thread. Depends on what you like.

Look forward to seeing the finished result.

[Betty J.]

I am in a doldrum. I need to do my son's quilt but after ripping it apart, I haven't felt like tackling it again. Thanks, BJ I may practice on this to get myself moving again. Jan

[wendy w.]

If mine is for washing I do a Betty Jo says and either zigzag or blanket stitch in fancy thread or invisible.

If it's for a wallhanging where blanket stitch may look out of place then I might do a straight line just inside the edge with matching thread using free motion.

A variable V shape in a fancy thread looks really good and modern see learn/classrooms/[/url]

[wendy w.]

Wow, Wendy. How'd you do that link? ''''That video looked great when she finished the piece. It added so much to it. Thanks!

[wendy w.]

It's easy

you copy the URL above the page

go to the post a reply click URL in the bar it will come up like this with the space removed [ url][/url]

after URL in the first bracket put = then paste your copied bit. [ url=paste here][/url]

Then between the two sets of brackets choose font colour and underline and write a few words.

[ url=paste here][color=#800080 ][u ]write stuff here[/u][/color][/url]

Remember I've added extra spaces so it shows

Ta Dah

[Hannelore N.]

If you get any fraying when doing applique depends on the thread count of the fabric. The higher the thread count the less fraying. For example, batiks tend to fray a lot less than some commercially printed cottons. I would always secure all edges with blanket stitch or zigzag if the piece will be washed.

[Hannelore N.]

Hi, Lorchen! It's batik and not going to be washed but some kind of stitching probably should be done. I'll do a practice piece and post it. Thanks. And Wendy that is clever. Jan