I want to start appliqueing and have been reading so much on it. I'm on a tight budget and was wondering what I truely needed to get started. I'm sure most of you all have the bugs all worked out of it and can tell me the easiest way. I seen a lot done with the funky chicken swap and I am very interested in it. So what are all the supplie I need to purchase?

A great question! Am looking forward to some answers here.

I use Wonder Under, fabric, pattern. Wonder Under is around $1.25/yard.

I've found freezer paper and a nice thin applique needle are great. If you can swing it, a neutral silk thread makes the stitches almost disappear. This is for hand applique. I'm just learning how to do this, too.

I'm taking a class next month on machine applique. Have heard wonder under is great.

What type of applique are you interested in? I do mostly needleturn and very little is needed for that. That's probably I like it sooo much.

Supplies: Applique needles (I use John James), fabric, thread, paper (to make template to trace around), and pencil.

I machine applique and use Wunder Under ( Make sure it is the lite and sewable ) , thread , pattern ( which I use Google, coloring pages to get lots of them )

A huge supply of patience!!

there are a number of different (types) of applique and the different techniques require different tools/supplies. the easiest (least expensive) would be needle turn hand applique, which you simply need back ground fabric, applique fabrics, some sort of paper (freezer is often used but newsprint works) for making templates, needle and thread.
fusable applique you need some sort of fusable material. machine applique can use any number of different time saving tools. some easy to make yourself, some pricey, some in-expensive

For my favorite method of hand applique I use thin cardboard (old cereal box weight), Cheep brush like the ones you get with childrens watercolor sets, Starch, an iron, and a needle and thread. Cut the cardboard into the exact shapes I need, cut the fabric a little bigger ( aprox 1/4 inch). Spray a little starch into a small container. Use the brush to heavily starch just the edges of the fabric, lay the cardboard on the fabric, and carefully turn the edges of fabric over the cardboard a little at a time and iron dry. Pull out the cardboard and stitch into place. Curved edges turn smoothly because they are wet when you start to turn and press, points are crisp and there is nothing adding thickness when you begin to sew.

I'm assuming hand applique too...I use metler size 60 thread but have found that I can buy fine thread at pieceocake.com (will check to make sure thats right) and buy bobbins filled with fine applique thread in packs of 10 in all colors...they fit on one of those round bobbin holders so you always have the right color... :thumbup:

I like using freezer paper for my templates. I then use starch and an iron to make my shapes. I use neutral silk #100 thread to hand applique. I have three spools: a light tan, dark tan, and a medium green. I only use the heat resistant template plastic for templates that I am using over and over. If I'm doing machine applique, I use Sulky monofilament (not nylon) thread.

If you need some tutorials on the starch method, check out Erin Russek's blog: http://erinrussek.typepad.com/one-pi...lique-lessons/

LeAnne

Thank you for this great hint! I like my pieces prepared and have only done the simplest of shapes. This explanation will help me broaden my horizons!!

If you do needle turn, then you need a needle, thread, scissors for fabric (and for paper), marking tool for the fabric, either template (plastic or cardboard) or freezer paper and a clear vinyl sheet to draw on the design for placement. Those are what I would consider the basics and not all of them are absolutely necessary.

If you don't have a lot of money to spend on thread, then I would go with a few neutrals that blend in. I believe that most applique-ers use thread to match the background (or try to as close as they get) but I have seen appliques done in any thread color under the rainbow.

WOW! It's scary reading all this. I almost ask myself what in the world am I thinking. I guess I just need to jump right in and try it and not be timid by it. I'll get some basic supplies and go from there. I like both the hand and machine appliques. Does hand applique make you hand cramp up a lot? Thank you everyone for sharing this with me.

Where do you all buy your supplies at? I only have a Wal-mart here and will need to drive and hour or so away to get supplies.

I do needleturn appliques and use silk thread and straw applique needles........you can't see the stitches :D

Sometimes that's the best way. I would recommend to start on a small project that doesn't have too many innies and outies. Smooth curves and straight lines might be the best way to start.

I have recently been diagnosed with carpal tunnel and found that too much handwork affects my hands. BUT as long as I space the sessions, I am good to go. My husband made me a small lap board that I put on top of a regular pillow in my lap.

Yea me too! I've been having problems with the cramping and have Tendentious in my elbows. After a while they ache so bad I have to stop for a week or more. :cry:

If you are doing "raw edge" applique and have to cut tight areas like flower leaves, I use a small pair of cuticle scissors to cut with. You can get close in those little nooks, just learn which way to use the curve of the scissors. Hope this helps, and I got the ones I use at Walmart in the nail section by cosmetics.

i never thought of that before . But it would even work with the hard to reach place when i make diecuts for scrapbooking. Thanks for the idea.

NEW BOLT SEW IN INTERFACING FABRIC~125YDS~EMBROIDERY~7"

plus 7.o5 for shipping. Is this good and do I need this?