learning to applique

[debra a.]

Hi, I have decided to start on the block of the month project but have never done applique before. I can't decide if the best approach is to try a different style of applique each month to see what I like best or if I should use a style thru several months at least to get a better handle on it. Any suggestions?

Also do you have any suggestions on which type of applique is easiest to start with as a beginner?

Thanks

Lisa

[debra a.]

Hey Lisa! I wish we were closer, we could learn together! I really want to try appliqué, but I'm so intimidated by all of the different techniques. It's all very confusing!

There was a class on hand appliqué this week at the quilt shop, but of course I couldn't take it because of work.

[Frances L.]

Hi, I took one class on needle turn applique and really had a hard time so I didn't practice very much. Then I took the "Piece of Cake" way and really liked it. It's basically the same as needle turn, but you use a toothpick to turn the fabric. It is so much easier for me.
Frances

[Lynn K.]

Yeah for Piece o Cake. They were my first class also and made it so much easier. I went to Cracker Barrell and bought a whole package of their toothpicks!

I don't find much difference between other "HAND" methods really, just finer points, which I think we mostly discover on our own.

Now I'm learning Machine Applique.........the Sharon Schamber method.
Lynn

PS: Good luck with whatever you choose. It will be a learning curve...like it is for all of us.

[Lynn K.]

I am a novice at applique as well and wouldn't you know they entire quilt that I am working on right now is Applique. I was hoping to have it done by mother's day but that is not happening. I am very frustrated but I am sticking with it. I am hoping that when I am done I will love it. (yea right) But thank you for letting me know that it isn't just me having issues. It makes me feel so much better. I know that probably doesn't help you much but just know that there is this lady in western New York growing very frustrated with a crib size squared quilt. Let me know how you are doing on yours from time to time and I will update you on mine that way we can offer eachother encouragement and angermanagment as well. :wink: Good luck I am going to go work on a different quilt for now though. I want to go to church in the morning and I have been very lose to losing my christian virtues too many times tonight. Rachel

[Annette R.]

Rachel, I understand your frustration with applique and I am also determined to learn how to do machine applique better. That is why I started the BOM's and am not sure I am meeting my goals yet. But I am determined. (My next applique project is going to be a quilt with nine Hawaiian applique squares set on point with a quadrant of a Hawaiian square in each of the setting corners. -- I think I have lost my mind but if I can do that one well I may feel I can move on to a rhapsody which I really want to do)

So maybe us appplique newbies need a support group so we can share our pain before we do lose our Christian virtues LOL

Keep on trying I know you will get better with practice

Sharing your pain, Ann

[Judy M.]

I wish you all were close to where I live so I could teach you needleturn applique. It saves you so many steps, unlike the other methods. I use a flower head pin instead of a toothpick to turn under my seam allowances. The Perfect Circles by Karen Kay buckley are the absolute best way to make circles. If you see someone in your quilt guild that does really nice needle turn applique, ask if they would show you how. A friend of mine taught me and I've never used glue and I rarely baste (I learned to hate basting in Home Ec class!) Judy in Torrance

[Judy M.]

Thanks for the input. I am ordering the Piece of cake book. There is a block of the month at a website that I LOOOOOVE and it is all applique and looks like small blocks. I am going to order it because I love it so much but am going to wait until I feel more comfortable with applique before I try it.

So is this how y'all get more and more projects lined up? It's addictive and I havn't even finished my first project yet (probably should have picked something smaller to start with.)

Christi and Rachel it is too bad we are not closer but we can support each other here (it would be a lot easier for Christi and I to get together than Rachel)

Lisa

[Judy M.]

I have quite a bit of applique experience, so here are some of my tips:

Use freezer paper to trace your shapes from the pattern with a pen or pencil. Leave a little more than 1/4" extra when you cut them out. Press them to the right sides of your fabric and cut out with a 1/4" seam allowance. Do not go much bigger or smaller than 1/4" or you'll have trouble.

Get a folder or baggie or something to keep all your pieces. Cut your background piece about 1" larger than necessary all the way around. Fold in 4th's and press little registration marks at the center and on each side. Use a blue wash-out marker or chalk to also mark the registration lines.

Get upholstery vinyl at your sewing store. Cut a square the same as your background and trace the entire block's design in a bold permanent marker. Use another color to mark the registration marks. I always find a remnant for 50% off.

Get yourself a pressing board or a kids lap board and place the background with the plastic on top. You can also sit at a table. Some people also trace the entire block design onto the background. I don't find this necessary. It can cause you to worry too much about lining up with the exact lines.

Get yourself some small applique pins. I use the smallest, sequin pins, but they are too small for a beginner. Look for the ones that are about 1/2" - 3/4" long.

Analyze the block or read the directions to decide what piece goes on first. Often, it's the stems or vase with the top edge left open to insert the stems. Place the piece under the plastic overlay with the freezer paper still on and line up the lines to position it. Carefully set the plastic aside and carefully remove the freezer paper without moving the piece. Put the plastic overlay back on to check the placement. You'll see seam allowance all the way around outside the marker line.

Place your pins 3/8" back from the edges. This will allow you to begin turning under the edge before removing the pin. Use a pin every 1/2" or so around the piece.

I often fold under and crease the edge before I stitch it. The act of actually "needle turning" works great, especially on curves. You sweep the needle under the edge making sure there are no folds or tucks.

Knot your thread and come up from behind the background. I hold the edge of the applique piece with my left thumb, bunching the whole block up in my palm. Take tiny stitches 1/8" apart, coming up from the back and through the applique piece right at the edge just catching a few threads. Then go down right next to that into the background. A little tug to tighten the stitch and it nearly disappears. On the back, you'll see little diagonal stitches. Remove the pins as you need to.

Just practice and relax! Try different techniques and find the ones that work for you. It helps to look at the pictures in a book that explains it. Good luck!

Nancy in NY

[Judy M.]

Nancy thank you so much I wish I had talked to you before I started my Mom's quilt. It is all Applique and I deffinately cut it way too close. So I was thinking about maybe doing simple embroidering around the edges of the roses. For the next one though I will deffinately use your techinique and go buy another book. Of course I will sneak it in so DH won't see it. He says I have met my quota until winter. If he only knew 8) . I now have a subscription to all those lovely magazines :wink: :idea: Anyway if you have any suggestions about how I should stitch the roses down on my Mom's quilt I would love the in put. I tried a few different stitches on the machine last night but decided to wait until today to do it do to fatigue. Rachel

[Judy M.]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for the applique instruction. I am going to practice the stiches on some general shapes for practice before I try it for real.'

Lisa

[Jeannine K.]

The best advice I have is to buy this book: "The New Applique Sampler: Learn to Applique, the Piece O' Cake Way" by Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins. The tips they have and their method is the best I have used for hand, needle turn applique. Their best tip is to finger press the turn line. Hope this helps. As well, the Perfect Circle templates are wonderful.

[Alex A.]

Also, Becky Goldsmith was recently on and she demonstrated her "pinching" the edge of the applique - it was an eye opener to me!

[Margo C.]

The original 2008 Bomettes who followed my Webshots tutes will remember that tip! It makes a huge difference!

[Eileen K.]

I've also bought the POC dvd: "Learn to Applique the Piece O'Cake Way". I like that I can keep going over the same thing until I get it.