Who uses freezer paper for applique? I've been using heat n bond but people keep telling me they use butcher's/freezer paper. If you use it, does it work as well?

This is an interesting topic, as I am getting ready to do my first applique quilt!

when you use freezer paper you take it out so your piece is not stiff, the heat bond is there and stiff forever.

When I use freezer paper for applique, I cut the freezer paper the shape it is supposed to be, then iron it onto the back of my fabric (just takes a second or two, no more to press it on). Cut the fabric about 1/4" away from the freezer paper. Then I take some spray starch and spray it into a small container to get it into a liquid state (the measuring thing from cold medicine or a camera film container is a great size). Dip a Q-Tip into the liquid starch and saturate the seam allowance of the fabric, then press it over the edge of the freezer paper with the iron. When you're done, you can remove the freezer paper and attach your applique to its backing. The starch will wash out and there's nothing left to make it stiff.

Clear as mud? :D

P.S. They now make freezer paper sheets that go in your printer, so you can print your designs on them. Pretty cool!

I have always used regular freezer paper, reynolds makes one and mine is bespak, they make products for canning and freezing. I have used plain old freezer paper since I started applique in the 80s. It is a lot cheaper. If I need it to go in the printer, I cut it to 8 1/2 x 11, works great.

If you use the freezer paper off the roll, I find it usually sort of curls. So, how do you have it flat enough to go into your printer so it works?

With freezer paper you stabilize your fabric to draw the design on, but is removed, so that stability is gone. Is useful for needle turn applique, but nothing more. Some people use it for machine applique, but when you are done you have to make a small cut on the back of your work to remove it. I am not sure I would want to do that.

Fusible web is used to permanently attach the applique piece to the background. It can be then machine stitched around the edges to prevent it from fraying in the future. You could do needle turn, but have to make sure you left enough around the edges to turn it, or just do a hand whipped blanket stitch without turning the fabric under. Certainly, two totally different uses.

ok so I have 2 hugh rolls of freezer paper - don't ask long story - any way I was going to iron it to the front of the fabric, trace cut applique then turn applique over spray with adhesive spray, stick to fabric, remove freezer paper, then stitch applique ideas on this?

I kind of go back and fourth. Depends on what I'm doing. :thumbup:

I have never had luck using the freezer paper and I now have a whole roll. I use HeatnBond Lite most of the time.

I think the only way this will work is if you use a satin stitch on the edges. I would do two rows of satin stitch, the first one narrower and the second one wider to cover the first one. That way there shouldn't be any threads fraying around the edges. The advantage of using fusible for raw edge applique is that the fusible tends to prevent fraying of the edge -- at least for awhile; the disadvantage of using fusible is that it stiffens the fabric.

I learned how to do freezer paper applique from Harriet Hargrave's book:
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mach.../dp/157120136X

I prefer it to fusible applique because the edges are turned under (as in hand applique) and the fabric is not stiffened (fusible stiffens the applique).

It's not a big deal to remove the freezer paper, at least the way I do it. I wait until the quilt top is finished, then turn it over and cut away the fabric behind the applique, leaving 1/4-inch seam allowance. This is easy to do because the thread shows you the edge of the applique, and the freezer paper keeps your scissors away from accidentally cutting the top fabric.

I use Elmer's school paste -- the old-fashioned paste that smells like peppermint -- instead of glue stick or starch. I rub it on the fabric edge with my finger and then turn the fabric edge.

To apply the freezer paper backed applique to the background fabric, I use HH's method that makes an almost invisible machine stitch that resembles hand applique.

another nice thing about using freezer paper is you do not have to reverse patterns like you have to for fusable, you can trace your appliques as they are then iron to the right side of fabric and your appliques are correct...makes it nice to not have to copy everything twice. you cut out your piece leaving a 'seam-allowance'- turn under allowance. it is easier to stitch...no stiffness from the fusable. it is just a matter of choice, some people always use fusable, some never, some depends on the project...that's how it is for me, i use fusable for projects with lots of pieces where i can pre-construct the piece before adding it to the block, or quilt. i use freezer paper if i'm going to do any hand-applique work or for simple designs without a lot of pieces.
my sewing room would probably close if i ran out of freezer paper. i use it every day for something.
you can reuse a piece of freezer paper over and over (some people say up to 15 times...i've never really counted) so that is a benifit over fusable with its once and it's done. if you are making multiple same pieces of a shape you don't have to use more fusable, one piece of freezer paper does it. cost wise its a great deal compared to fusable; and you can iron it to fabric to run through your printer.

When I first tried using freezer paper, I used it on the wrong side and ironed the seam allowance around it. That didn't turn out real well and I didn't like it at all.

Now I'm using it on top and needle turning the seam allowance under. That is so much better. The freezer paper is only there as a guide for how far to turn under the seam allowance.

Another method I've tried, and the jury is still out on this method,is to sew the piece to be appliqued to tracing fabric. Slit the back of the tracing fabric so that you can turn it right side out. Iron the piece making sure that the tracing fabric does not show. Applique as usual.

In case you don't know -- Tracing fabric is found by the interfacing in Joann's and has a grid on it for tracing multi-sized clothing patterns. It's lightweight, never stiff, has no glue whatsoever (because it isn't an iron-on).

I don't have a problem at all with the freezer paper. I just use a dab of temporary fabric glue to tack it in place where I want it. That helps hold it in place until I satin stitch applique it. I have used the "heat and bond" and I guess I over do it with the iron because it doesn't stick well for me. Then I saw on Fon's & Porter show one time about the fabric glue. Now I save money using the freezer paper too! :)

wow, interesting thread, thanks!

I don't have trouble with freezer paper and sometimes I use it on top and sometimes underneath, just depends. I don't like the glues so I just pin it with applique pins. I do sometimes use the fabric fold pen if I am doing needle turn.

These rings were done with freezer paper underneath and just pinned in place and hand appliqued.

I do take the freezer paper out either before I take my last stitches or cut the back. I prefer not to cut the back.

The fabric fold pen helps turn the edge under.

Why go through all of this trouble with freezer paper. All I do is take a mechancial pencil and trace the shape on the fabric. Then I cut out the shape with an 1/8" seam. Pin shape on fabric and bring your needle up anywhere but a point and turn the seam allowance under and the line will be your guide. Then just stitch down. Pencil mark will wash out. :-D

Easy peasy!!!! :thumbup:

Have you tried the iron resistant plastic such as
"Perfect Shape" or "Templar". I have found this very good.
You cut shapes then your fabric with seam allowance and dab starch on edges of the fabric and iron over the plastic. Makes really good clean shapes. I have also use a product called "Stable Magic" which is like a stiff pellon.
Same method of turning the edges over but use glue instead of starch. I find I get good clean edges with this product as well. I always put bumps in the freezer paper but many like it.

Not so easy if you are doing hand applique. LOL

I have read thru this thread and learned alot, thanks everyone for all of your comments

Really its not that hard!!! Once you do it this way you'll wonder why you've done it the other ways. Please don't be afraid. Just the tip of the needle guides the material. Really, honestly, its not hard. Try it on some simple shapes on scrap fabric. The hardest is the points and once you do them and see how to do it you'll go OHHH! :thumbup:

I know there are different ways of doing everything and not everything works for everyone. I guess for me its the easiest and most productive way. I feel people get intimidated by it and wish they wouldn't.

That's all. Sorry if I've offended anyone!! :-D

I actually have done some machine applique. My preference is hand work. I like the process. I'm one of those crazy people that likes sewing on binding too. LOL

you use the freezer paper to adhere the fabric , you then fold over the seam allowance of the fabricto press it flat--you them remove the freezer paper and your applique is ready for HAND SEWING. Fusible webis where you press the fusible to the reverse side of the fabric--cut out your design and then you remove the paper. You will then press your cut out design onto your fabric and either hand stitch or machine around the design. You can also just leave it be if it is not going to be handled much. hope this helps, Anne

Here are a couple of sites that'll show you what I'm talking about.

http://appliquetoday.blogspot.com/20...-tutorial.html

http://appliquetoday.blogspot.com/20...-tutorial.html

Well, I am so glad I read this. Applique is SO confusing to me, as everyone does it differently....my friend kept telling meto put the freezer paper on top, books said bottom. I just have to get brave and try it all to see what worksforme!
Sewcrafty, you didnt offend anyone....hey, another way of doing something...I will sure try it!

I recently read that freezer paper shrinks so you should spray with water & iron to shrink it & then apply to fabric. Haven't tested out this theory yet tho

I am not the worlds greatest appliquer, but I use freezer paper always. I trace pattern onto paper, put on fabric, then iron edges down to paper, when I am about to close the gap sewing, I reach in and pull the freezer paper out with tweezers. then smooth down the hole and finish, I have never slit back ooo that would bother me. But as I said what do I know, I am a bad quilter all around, and those points in applique send me for a tail spin. lol

I do it exactly the same way, works for me.

I have always used regular freezer paper, reynolds makes one and mine is bespak, they make products for canning and freezing. I have used plain old freezer paper since I started applique in the 80s. It is a lot cheaper. If I need it to go in the printer, I cut it to 8 1/2 x 11, works great.[/quote]

I'd like additional info on putting the regular freezer paper through the printer. Is it ironed on to anything before you feed it through?

For me personally, I don't have one favorite method that I always use. I switch it up depending upon the type of applique and the size of the pieces. Sometimes I use Freezer paper on top, sometimes for larger pieces, i may put it on the back side.
I find needle-turn very easy, but I have taught it and i know for some folks it is not easy. The best tools (proper applique needels and fine threads, good vision [ie: proper glasses or magnifiers] are quite essential IMO.
I use the fusibles when I am working with machine applique generally, with a satin stitch or decorative stitch to finish the edges. I like to use something that is not too stiff if i am going to use a fusible, like steam a seam lite.
Each project needs its own approach, IMO.

Sometimes I use freezer paper, sometimes fusible web. It is just according to what type of applique I am doing. If it is hand, I usually use freezer.

I've only done one appliqued quilt top so far (needle turn). Used freezer paper and had no problems. I'll enclose a photo so you can see that there are a lot of small pieces. I did this a long time ago, but I remember that I pressed all the edges of each item around the freezer paper template and then removed the paper BEFORE stitching the piece to the quilt, so I did not have to cut into the back of the quilt top to remove pieces of freezer paper.

You haven't said anything offensive. I'll have to try your method next time I'm in the needle-turn applique mode.

I use FREEZER PAPER > draw the "reverse" pattern on paper side > cut out on the line > iron to wrong side of fabric > cut out fabric with approx. 1/4 inch seam allowance > pin to background > applique with same thread color as applique piece, BUT before finished that part, leave about 1/2 inch, pull the freezer paper out with tweezers (a part of my notions) and finish the applique.

I don't use any other way!!!! Good luck!

weezie, your quilt top is beautiful. did you design it yourself?

Thanks, Lisa. It was in McCall's Quilting April 2002 issue. It's called "Embracing Sharon" done for Sharon ?? whose son had cancer.

I now have a friend in another state who is dying of cancer; when I first heard the diagnosis, I thought, "I'll sandwich and quilt my little applique lap quilt top and send it to her for when she gets out of the hospital and goes home." Initially, the guesstimate was that she had a year to live, but it's been only weeks since they found the cancer and her time left is now down to a matter of days or hours, I think; her powerful pain meds. have "taken her away" already. So, sadly, I never completed the quilt. I had forgotten until now that the original quilt was designed and made for a cancer victim.

So ... not a happy quilt.

oh, I am so sorry. That is terribly sad. But don't stop working on the quilt! Do it in her honor and pass it to someone in her family or keep it for yourself to remind you of the good times you had. it's too beautiful not to finish it!

I love using freezer paper for appliques and it works very well. First I trace my appliques on the paper,then I pressed it on my fabric. I have even went ahead and stitch over it and tore away the excess paper.It may sound impossible, but it works very well. Norma

Any experiences with MistyFuse? It is supposed to be very light and drapable, no stiffness.