Thread: Advice about my first raw edge applique

I've never done any applique so detailed, but I would echo thimblebug's comments (fabulous eagle, BTW), and assemble it in sections on an applique sheet. Also helpful, but not necessary, is one of those small clover craft irons. As you place the pieces you can use it to just tack them into place

Originally Posted by Tartan

What Thimblebug is working on is a Teflon applique sheet. This allows you to remove the fusible backing, place it where you want it (pattern underneath the Teflon) and press in place. Once you have a section fused together, you can peel it off the teflon and move it to your background fabric. Follow your instructions on the order of the pieces to lay down first.
Awesome eagle Thimblebug!

I do a lot of these because they are fun for me. I usually enlarge them so I can stitch down each piece. If doing the raw edge, it helps me to use Fray Block first to help control the fraying at least a bit and using tightly woven batiks helps too. The overlay is great for placement of the pieces on top of other pieces. Since my quilts are satin stitched then washed, I often use a dot of glue to hold pieces during assembly. Toni's patterns have generous "tuck under" edges so there should be no spaces between pieces since they overlap not abut. I think I still have some info on my blog here on the board that might be helpful. Have fun, it is similar to putting a puzzle together but more rewarding with the end result.

If you don't have a teflon sheet and can't afford one, you can use parchment paper (NOT wax paper), found in any grocery store.

p.s. I'm assuming it's a wall hanging, so you won't have to worry about washing and fraying...?

I've seen quilts where they have stitched them with a really short stitch on the edge of the applique after they have been ironed in place.

I have "This Otter Be Fun" by McKenna Ryan and am loathe to proceed for fear I'll mess it up. Maybe looking at these pictures will give me the courage to go ahead and finish.

Basketman ... I'm not sure about the exact pattern you are working on, but when I did a raw edge appliqué landscape design, I did not butt my pieces up to each other. I overlapped them slightly (1/8" or less). I then stitched along the edges, as close to the edge as I could get (I did it free motion as they were not straight lines). I used clear poly thread for this step. I did not use a fusible however, I only used a glue stick to keep a set of pieces in place until I could get them stitched down.

If you look close at the picture below, you can see where I stitched with clear poly thread. After the piece was complete, I quilted over (or as near as over) the clear poly with my quilting thread.

The method I used was from a book and video by Nancy Ziemans & Natalie Sewel.