Your blocks are beautiful. I love the orchids.

I do, too. Stuff to do while "watching" tv or waiting in the doctor's office. I just finished the last block in my second applique top and until I get the right fabrics for the next one, I'm somewhat at a loss for what to do with my hands. I can't just sit and watch tv.

The first hand applique I did was not very good, but I made 18 pairs of 12" Sunbonnet Sue and Suspender Sam for a swap. I used Eleanor Burns' method with fusible interfacing and that made sense to me and it worked out pretty well.

A couple of years later, I started the needle-turn project and the first few blocks I did with that were NOT very pretty, but they got a lot better as I went along.

The first one I made with the starch method of preparation was not pretty, either, but by the time I got to the last block, it was acceptable.

I think the stitches on the best ones are closer than the ones that aren't so good. They're also tucked back under the edge of the piece when you go back into the background. You can't see where the thread is going down into the background on the best pieces. Also on the nicest looking pieces, the needle catches fewer threads of the appliqued piece than the pieces which don't look as nice.

I think that it also helps to use a fine thread that melts into the applique piece. I get away with neutrals most of the time - light, medium or dark and either warm (tan) or cool (grey).

I use Bottom Line - which I realize is somewhat heretical because it's polyester, but it's great to work with and it's almost invisible. I've tried a bunch of different threads, but I really love Bottom Line for hand applique. I was hoping that the new Connecting Threads Pro would be comparable, but it's really awful for hand work. Despite beeswax and Thread Heaven, it tangles and knots and shreds - problems I don't have with Bottom Line. The Pro thread is absolutely perfect in the machine, though, so I have the feeling it has to do with the twist or finish on the thread.

Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you. Use tools and materials that don't get in your way and then it's just a matter of practice. :) Keep it up - since you already love hand work, I'll bet applique becomes an obsession for you in short order. ;)

I love to applique. I've done both hand and machine. My favorite is by hand. I was taught to do the back basting and I've tried others but this works best for me. I'm lucky that one of the teachers at our LQS has us meet every other week to work on our current project and she's also getting ready to plan the next one. I think it'll be the Baltimore Album blocks; they are so pretty. I like to sew on my machine but I also like to relax watching TV and do the hand applique and it also is great to take to the docs waiting room.

Has anyone noticed that those of use who applique always say we do it in the doctor's office? Are we the sickest of the bunch or what? LOL!

Maybe one of you pros can help me with a "trick." I hand applique with a fine silk thread, but it's difficult to keep in the needle, especially as the thread gets shorter. I keep having to rethread the needle, very frustrating. At one time I knew a trick that tied a knot at the base of the needle to prevent that. The thread could no longer slide through the eye, but the knot was small enough that it didn't interfere with the sewing. Anyone know the technique for this? Thanks.

Heheeeeee!!! Well, I tried taking my applique with me to water aerobics, but it didn't work out as well. :D



I'm starting to think that everything is on YouTube, these days. ;) Here's your knot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYsKET2E1LQ

I'm starting to think that everything is on YouTube, these days. Here's your knot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYsKET2E1LQ

Thank you pollyparrot! That's the trick. I knew it was simple but I could not remember what it was.

Your applique is beautiful! Great work :thumbup:

Hey everone! I sat here this past week end and read all of your notes and looked at all the pictures. I also went to "One piece at a time " quilt site she does a BOM that is free I say lets all do it with her this next year. She shows you how to get around the small circles and points. She also has a club on yahoo. I down loaded her blocks from this past year. Now I only need to find the fabric I want to use, which I think I want to do with batiks. Check it out and let me know what you all think.
Suz: I really like all the input you give and I find everything you write to be very helpful to me. Almost as good as having you here.

I have enjoyed this thread so much! :thumbup: Thanks!