Help !!!! I have been quilting for about 3 years--prior to that I never even sewed a button on a shirt. However, I seem to be having a hard time with the appliqueing process -- my fabric always seems to pucker. I am using a zigzag stitch with my machine -- and can't seem to get the technique down. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Lisa

I attach my appliques with heat n bond lite. There are lots of other adhesives you can use. Some wash away, some don't. The heat n bond holds it in place nicely so that it doesn't move while I am doing the machine applique around the piece.

Barb C

Put paper on back of fabric and peel away after. I use the plain white computer paper. I sticks my design on fabric using kids glue sticks.. before sewing

When I do machine appliqué I always use a stabilizer or I get tunneling with my satin stitching. Sometimes I use a commercial product, other times I use newsprint or computer paper (which is harder to remove).

I use a kids washable glue stick. Whats nice is after I place it I can reposition it if I set it down wrong, and there cheap 2 for a $1.00.
Never had a problem with it moving while sewing.

I haven't done machine applique yet, but I'm glad to have some pointers for when I try!

tearaway stabilizer isn't really expensive and if you use it under your foundation piece it should not pucker, when you're done it tears off pretty easy.

I also use Heat and Bond lite for small items which solved my puckering problem. When appliquing large objects, which I don't want to stick to the quilt, I have found that a blanket stitch works better than the zigzag stitch.
Marylou :)

I don't have blanket stitch on my machine, so that is not an option... but I do know that you can still use Heat and Bond.. just use less of it. For larger items I draw off the item and then I repeat it about 1/2" or so inside the object. This is on the Heat and Bond. I end up with the adhesive being just around the edge of the applique, not behind the entire thing. Does that make sense? I hope so!

Barb C.

Yes, it does make sense and I have done that too! Thanks, Marylou