"the very best tip[from Lucian Newman fogive the spelling]-==pin from underneath the work so no pin ends to catch the thread where you are working "
Simple. Why couldn't I think of that. Thank you.
"Do not clip outside curves for needle-turn applique. Not clipping avoids both points and fraying.

When clipping inside curves, don't clip until you absolutely have to, when your next stitch requires it. This cuts down on fraying, too."
Simple again. Thank you.

"You know, I had read somewhere a while back about running the needle tip through a glue stick before sweeping the inner point, but I never have a glue stick (and never remember when I'm at the store). I do have a little Elmer's liquid though, I'll have to try it! "
I will try this too! I am not a fan of glue and starch. I am too heavy handed then can't get my needle through.
So many wonderful ideas to try. I love needle turn applique and will surely be thankful for reading this thread.

This, by far, is my biggest challenge, also, PenniF. Here's a link that I've actually printed out and have next to my machine, because I don't do it enough to remember. Hope this helps.

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...-tips_ss9.html

I took two classes on needleturn applique, one taught by Donna of Heartworks,LLC and a class taught by Karen K. Buckley. Both excellent classes. Lessons I learned - starch your fabric, use school glue with toothpick for V angles, Thread Heaven to prevent tangles and use silk thread. I also prefer KKB applique scissors and Tulip needles.

I am a big fan of back basting for appliqué You mark the pattern on the back of the background fabric. Then pin a piece of fabric roughly the size (with some extra) of the item you will appliqué on the front and baste from the back using an obvious color of thread and a big needle so it makes good sized holes. Turn back to the front side, remove the pin(s) and trim excess fabric away leaving bought 1/4" or less to turn under. Now you can get out your favorite appliqué needle and thread. Take out a couple of the basting stitches, turn under using the holes in the fabric and background as your guide and stitch it down. The basting keeps everything in place with no pins in the way. Keep taking out a stitch or two and sewing down until you reach the end. This is very portable because you need no templates, starch or other tools.

I also use fray check on the clipped areas. Comes in a little bottle and works great but best after the point has been sewn rather than before. If there are tiny whiskers sticking out, just drop a bit of this on the spot and sweep them under with your needle. Stays in place without a problem.

Do try to borrow or buy Pat Campbell's book on applique. She is a top-notch teacher--the best one I've ever had. Her pictures and explanations are great.

I'm so glad to read this -- I just finished stitching a piece that had a ton of sharp interior curves, and I'm thinking about taking the whole thing off and starting over! I know I have some fray check upstairs... Thanks!

How do you subscribe to a particular square?

I love to do hand applique. I make a finished size pattern out of freezer paper and iron it onto the wrong side. I then baste it rather than use the glue. I find that I can do inward and outward curves better that way. I do clip the inward points. I can then press it, and even use starch if I wish for a crisp edge. I also like to pin from the back side. As I applique, I take out my basting thread and remove the freezer paper before I finish the last stitches. With it pressed, the line of the applique is there when I take out the last of the freezer paper. I use, I think it is FRAY BLOCK, on points and anywhere I think I need a little help against fraying. It is the June Taylor one in the gray packaging and on the back of the package it tells to heat the tube under water and then to shake it before using. It goes on clear and dries clear, and doesn't have a shiny appearance when dry. It doesn't show at all that you used something, unlike some of the other fray stuff. I also use the straw needles.

Does anyone sew with water soluble thread and light inner facing to right side of applique pieces and turning inside out, pressing with lots of steam, and popping the inner facing off.. leaves lovely clean turned under edges. Martha Pullin taught this trick many years ago on PBS series.

I do a lot of raw edge applique using the buttonhole stitch & embroidery thread. Fray Check R my best friend. The kind I use dries clear and soft. After stitching I 'paint' fray check around every cut edge and it doesn't show & doesn't wash out.