KathyH

I am starting a new block of the month quilt at my LQS. Some of the blocks will be appliqued. My plan is to make a lap quilt for my daughter and I know it will need to be washed more frequently. What applique method is best for frequent laundering? TIA Kathy

Prism99

Fusible applique is probably the most likely to fray from many washings, so I'd avoid that. The exception would be if you do a lot of machine quilting that crosses over the edges. If you like a frayed look, you can do raw edge applique without a fusible and just machine stitch near the edges.

Most likely what you want, though, is a turned-under-edge form of applique.

Probably the most stable form of turned-under applique is machine straight stitching on the edges of the applique (one-sixteenth of an inch or less from the edge); however, very few people do this.

Hand applique would be fine. You would want to lock stitches periodically (knot or double-stitch in place) so that if a thread breaks, only an inch or two of applique edge needs to be repaired.

I like to use machine applique a la Harriet Hargrave or Sharon Schamber techniques. Invisible thread holds just as well as cotton thread for this technique, I think. Just stitch in place a few times at beginning and end to secure. If you are a perfectionist, you can pull threads to the back and knot before cutting. I wouldn't do this for a quilt that's going to get used a lot; it would be less time-consuming to simply hand mend any spot that might come loose later (unlikely, but it could happen).

My two cents, anyway.....

Mary