CurliQ

I've only done applique with the needle turn technique and I'm ready to try it on the machine. After fusing them down, do you zigzag stitch or straight stitch?

Tartan

It depends on the look you want and the use of the quilt. A small matching satin stitch will hold up better than an open zig zag, buttonhole or straight stitch inside the edge. I like a matching thread buttonhole stitch but the edges of the fabric will fray up a bit with repeated washing. Some people prefer a small invisible thread zig zag so they don't have to change thread colours.

Pam B

Depending upon what it is I am appliquéing, I either use a satin stitch, blanket stitch, or another decorative stitch. Satin stitch is basically a zig zag only the stitch length is very close.

calla

When my fabric is batik I usually use a straight stitch with a small needle as the fabric doesn't fray. But with cotton I use a buttonhole stitch.........

Bree123

Are doing a raw-edge applique? If so, I'd go with a satin stitch, or else my experience has been that you need to treat the edges with Fray Check or little bits will come unraveled. If you are turning the edges under before you fuse it to your fabric, either one would look nice. Zig-Zag would be fun for a crazy quilt or maybe a really fun child's quilt. A straight stitch seems to me like it would be a cleaner, more elegant look.

leatheflea

Hope these two links will help you with raw edge fusible applique. I've used this method several times and it works great.

http://ivoryspring.wordpress.com/201...ible-applique/

http://ivoryspring.wordpress.com/201...applique-tips/

Knitette

When I first started to machine appliqué, I used a zig-zag. However, I found I liked the effect of blanket stitch better. I only use straight stitch for very narrow pieces, such as stems, when other stitches would be too 'bulky'.

I don't use satin stitch as it's too dense for me and makes the piece quite stiff.

CurliQ

Thanks so much, everyone. I'm realizing I probably picked the wrong project for my first time....lots of circles.

ckcowl

I generally use a blanket stitch to sew my fused applique, I am not a fan of heavy satin stitching and have found the edges tend to fray some with a straight stitch. Zigzag is (OK), but I have better even stitching with the blanket, especially with a lot of circles, curves.

Scissor Queen

I never use a satin stitch. I just don't care for the way it looks. I use either a straight stitch or a blanket stitch. I use invisible thread some and I also use matching threads and contrasting threads. On some projects I like to use a blanket stitch with black thread for a real folk art look.