I'm torn everytime I see a quilt pattern I like and discover the applique is only fused on. I don't trust these to stand up to the wear and tear of use. I know people blanket stitch the edges but it just doen't appeal to me.
Is anyone else reluctant to use this method in anything other than a wall hanging?

If you do find such a pattern, consider adding seam allowance and needle turning. I've made a couple of Christmas quilt tops (that I hope to get finished soon! and I just figured they wouldn't need an awful lot of washing.

I like only needle-turn by hand or satin stitching by machine around the edges. I don't like the raw edge/blanket stitch look either. As Marymm said, you could add seam allowances to patterns you like.

you can apply the applique any way you choose, just remember to add some to turn if it isn't included in the pattern, it doesn't take a full 1/4"

I feel the same way and either modify to put it on with interfacing or needle turn. The other ones stay wall hangings.

the only time I have used fusible applique is on a wall hanging all my quilts (I do mainly applique) are all needleturn just allow enough for turning under and use the pattern you've got

I too am having this problem. When my girls were little I did a lot of appliques on their clothing. I didn't like how hard the applique was after it was fused. So if I ever do any appliques quilts I will needle turn and some how find a way of keeping it in place without the fusing it because there is NO place in my quilts for a stiff applique. Im a newbie and to me quilts are for cuddling and snuggling...I have yet to make anything I want to display on the wall!

I like fusing only for certain applications. Most of the time I prefer to do machine applique using the freezer paper method. (Learned this from Harriet Hargrave's book.)

I use the Eleanor Burns method. Fusible interfacing stitched around the piece, turned inside out and stitched down. It gives a finished edge to the piece. You can see more about it at her Quilt in a Day website.

I personally don't care for raw edge applique but for those who do, more power to you! I have done needle turn but since I prefer a more instant gratification, I use satin stitch most of the time.

any applique project can be accomplished using any applique method you like. if you like needle turn then you simply add a seam allowance around your appliques when you cut them out...i use freezer paper instead of fusable, and hand applique all the time. i also do alot of fusable applique (i just love applique of all kinds!) i do not always use a blanket stitch around my appliques, only if it's wools or some sort of primative style that needs blanket stitch. sometimes i use an invisible hem stitch, sometimes a straight stitch right along the edges sometimes i wait until i load the quilt up to quilt it and stitch the appliques down with the quilting. don't limit yourself because you don't like the method one person uses, use the method you want...it's your project!

I don't think I would trust an applique to stay on with just fusing. It would have to have some kind of stitching, for me, it would be raw edge.

My personal preference is no fusible, don't like the stiffness at all. I pin the object in place and either machine stitch with a satin or fancy stitch that I want or needle-turn which is my preferred method.

Just remember its your quilt and you can use whatever kind of stitch that you want. I have many different stitches on my machine and have used a few of them.

Good Luck!

I use fusible on the main part of a large piece then turn under with needle. Sometimes if I use a light fusible, I simply do a buttonhole stitch around. I always do this by hand. I've tried machine stitching around but I don't like the look.

there are alot of softer fuses out there now that eliminates the "hard" look...I took a class where she cut the middle out of larger pieces so only the outer edges were fused and that eliminated the hard look also.

Since I like to make my sewing life as simple as possible, my favorite applique method is "in the hoop" - quick and easy, and the pieces are super secure. I wish more designers would offer this option.

I also use the Eleanor Burns method. This is when I want instant gratification. When I want to relax, I do needle turn applique.

What is "in the hoop"?

in the hoop is done with the machines that have embroidery capabilities there are (programs?patterns) that can be appliqued by hooping the fabric and setting up certain embroideries that allow you to add applique pieces as you go...pretty cool stuff!

[quote=ckcowl]in the hoop is done with the machines that have embroidery capabilities there are (programs?patterns) that can be appliqued by hooping the fabric and setting up certain embroideries that allow you to add applique pieces as you go...pretty cool stuff!

[/quote

Thank you!

I use the fusible,,however I do an applique stitch evey piece on after fusing...I use the light fusible...

i hvae done both fusible and turned under applique and like them both. i used narrow stripes of the fusible so that the applique didn't get hard and stitched them with several different stitches--- running, chain,satin. which one i use depends on how complicated the peice is .the more the amount of peices i would use turn under.

I use the light fusible and trim out the middle. Stitch around the edge with a button hole stitch, or satin or just zig zag depending on the look I'm after.

When I do my butterfly quilt, it will have turned under edges. Even a wall hanging I'm working on will have turned under edges.

I couldn't get the hang of needle turn and I thought that was the only way to do applique when I first started quilting. (18 months ago). So, I avoided applique at all costs. Then, I took a class on machine applique and it's the only method I can do. I use a narrow zig-zag and invisible thread. The piece is first drawn on freezer paper and then ironed onto the back of the fabric and cut with a 1/4" allowance to turn under for a sharp edge and starched and pressed. Then it is glued into place and stitched.

Just a question on this, could'nt you use basting spray to hold the piece in place and then either handstitch or machine stitch around it? I have used the fusible but like others have said it ends up being stiff so though I have not tried the basting spray just wondered what your thoughts on it would be.