first time appliquer
 

I have only pieced quilts in the past, but after piecing a scrap quilt went on my own and added an applique border to the scrap quilt. I did not want to hand applique because I was ready to start a new project, and so went ahead and used a fusible product that I found in town "Heat and Bond" - but the only type they had was the ultra, and since a sewing/craft store is over 3 hours away from me, I bought what I found in town here. It looks great, but is too hard to hand embroider a blanket stitch around and not even sure if I can stitch it on my machine. Does anybody have any ideas or suggestions on what I should do at this point? Can I just leave it without stitching around the edges if I make sure to just use as a decorative quilt? Thanks for any suggestions -

That should be a no-sew type. I think the packaging has red on it. If it's decorative you should be okay. You can always try sewing a blanket stitch with your machine and see how it goes? I always get the pink (it's lighter and made to be sewn down). I have gotten red before and I did sew it down, it didn't give my machine any trouble. Please, let us know what you decide and how it goes.

I have used this fusible before because it was the only one I could find at Walmart. I did sew a blanket stitch with my machine but it gummed up my needle and then your thread breaks and you have to stop, clean the needle and re-thread. So every so often I would stop asnd clean the needle off with alcohol. Made the sewing go slower, but I got it done. Just takes some time.

Heat & Bond was not designed for applique. It is meant for general crafting. The adhesive is far too stiff and gummy for needle work, either hand or machine!

I always use Wonder Under by Pellon. It doesn't add stiffness to fabric and does not gum up needles. It is sold on the bolt in the interfacing section of stores. Wal Mart used to sell it, not sure if they still do. I buy mine at the LQS where I work.

As Irishgal described, you probably *can* sew through it if you want to. I don't know how durable it is without sewing so can't advise there. But, if you wanted to sew it, I'd try a jeans or leather needle, strong thread, and either a wide zigzag or longish straight stitch @ 1/8" inside the edge of each applique. Practice piece first :) . Good luck!

Thank you for all the input - I have to tell you having moved away from large metropolitan area to a very small town has been exciting and challenging all at the same time. I didn't realize how nice it was to have a Walmart, Joanne's Fabric Store, Michaels and several specialty quilt shops all within 15 minutes of home. Now with a trip to any of the above being at least 3 hours away, I find that I have at times rushed ahead with whatever I could find at the little general store here in our town. Many times it has worked - sometimes, like this time, I'm not so thrilled and wish I would have been a bit more patient and either put it aside until my next big trip to town, or ordered on-line. That being said, I think I will make up a practice piece and try sewing on my machine. And if that doesn't work out - well it will be very quickly quilted (and probably pretty lightly quilted too) and hung for decorative purposes only. And hand washed very carefully and infrequently probably! Hopefully I will have learned to ask FIRST before I rush ahead and make do.