Machine Applique (IMA)

[Lynn K.]

The quilt I'm working on now has 24" pieced blocks in a variation of Drunkard's Path. There's a large white area in which I'll be doing a bit of embroidery for stems, and appliqueing flowers and leaves using the blanket stitch, and I plan to put a sheet of tearaway paper behind the whole block while working on that part. How do you keep it in place, by pinning or basting it?

Pat in Rockport, TX who's still learning after 46 years of quilting

[Lynn K.]

Good Question, Pat. I wondered that myself. I think I would try pinning it. But if its lightweight, would is slip?

[Lynn K.]

Just a little update on my progress... ( I'll be done with this quilt top before I figure out my stitch technique.... Either that or I'll toss out my machine & get a new one! )

I'm using Bottom Line in the bobbin and monofilimant in the top. . Even still, I have some loops from the bobbin showing on top. I'm sewing with the top tension about 2.5. After seeing one of the posts above, maybe I should lower it even more.

ONTO another topic...... At a recent quilt show, I saw a beautifully machine appliqued quilt with the stems top stitched, rather than using a IMA technique. I thought it looked great. So, on one of my blocks, I top stitched the stems. It looks good. I hate to mix techniques within a quilt. But I'm considering this my "test" project anyway.

[Lynn K.]

The quilt I'm working on now has 24" pieced blocks in a variation of Drunkard's Path. There's a large white area in which I'll be doing a bit of embroidery for stems, and appliqueing flowers and leaves using the blanket stitch, and I plan to put a sheet of tearaway paper behind the whole block while working on that part. How do you keep it in place, by pinning or basting it?

Pat in Rockport, TX who's still learning after 46 years of quilting

I use an Elmer's (washable) glue stick.

[Lynn K.]

What a good idea, I'll try the glue stick.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[Lynn K.]

Yes, yes, on the glue stick! I adopted this from the Sharon Schamber methodology. She is a master and her web site has the best video librarary!!! And SOME of them are free!

On another note, PKNord, I rec'd my needle sharpener from Clotilde over the weekend and haven't tried it yet. I have to find a magnifying lens good enough to enable me to see the needle size first on all of my old needles! I expect this little baby to save me some bucks! Of course there are always the ones I break and bend that are gone forever, but still.................

Lynn

[Lynn K.]

Good for you, Lynn, I really love mine. And I'm really enjoying being a member on Sharon Schamber's web site, I'm learning so many good things there.

Pat in Rockport, TX