Rob Appell Bengal Tiger Quilt

[Jill B.]

I am looking for anyone who has made one of Rob Appell's animal quilts or would have any suggestions as I have just bought the kit for the Bengal Tiger, I noted on the TQS show segment when he said he only sews a straight seam to attach the pieces to the foundation fabric, I am concerned about leaving the raw edge, although I know mine will be a wall hanging I would rather sew them down more firmly and thought to use the Ricky Tim’s way of double blanket stitch (which I use all the time) or perhaps just the single blanket stitch, I would love some advice, thoughts, ideas and help with this.

[Paula D.]

Email Rob!

[Jill B.]

oh yes I could do that but I just wanted to see what others on the forum had done in a similar situation perhaps

[Nancy R.]

I haven't done any of Rob Appell's designs, but I've done several fusible applique wallhangings. For the ones I've done, I've stitched around the edge of each applique with a free-motion straight stitch just inside the applique. I think this is what Rob does, but don't remember. Anyway, I've really liked how that looks, especially for very detailed applique. It puts the emphasis on the applique pieces rather than on the stitches around the applique. You do have to be careful to not get too close to the edge of each piece as that can cause some fraying. It seems like buttonhole stitch around the edges of a Rob Appell applique could look a little out of place. But that's really a matter of taste and you should go with what you think looks best. Maybe do a little wallhanging and try the other stitching method and just see how you like it.

Nancy