Your Favorite Applique Tips
 

Hi all! I'd really love to hear what tips you all have to share about applique -- of any kind. For instance, I'm awful at interior points (like the "cleavage" of a heart) and I'm hoping to see someone's pet trick for that. But meanwhile, here are some of mine -- even if they seem obvious, they weren't to me when I started!

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.

And just like in life, when you come to a curve, concentrate only on your next stitch. The stitches an inch away will get their turn!

Excellent tips! My best tip always helps me.....do not just jump right in. Take the time and really look things over, read instructions and tips on patterns and play with fabric choices.

My tip is to buy the best needles you can afford. Either straw needles or superfine applique needles. What an amazing difference it makes in being able to make those stitches just disappear. MJ

No joke, I've wasted a lot of time fixing mistakes. I just LOVE ripping out stitches! Said no quilter ever :)

Welcome from Maryland! Very true. What are your favorites?

Fo needleturn applique I love silk thread and superfine needles. I use 2 layers of freezer paper as a template ironed on to my piece. I then use some liquid starch applied with a paintbrush and a mini iron to press my seam allowances down. I then remove the freezer paper and stitch it down http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvnqtxBeBj8
For the pesky little inner points, I use just the tiniest little bit of elmers glue just to hold those few centre threads. Don't use too much as you wont be able to stitch though it.

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!

Use a wax on the thread it slides much better,
Check your thread colour carefully so it disappears into the material.
I like to star h the fabric before cutting it puts a barrier on fabric especially if you are marking the fabric for placement.
Helpful to place applique pieces onto the fabric using a Pruitt stick to hold while you sew

Oh, I love the starching before cutting tip - a great way to make sure the markings for placement come off much easier!

Thank you JulieR for mentioning those interior angle Vs...and for letting me know that i am not alone.....i just cannot seem to get them to turn out right...and actually avoid any applique that has them because i feel like they "ruin" all my hard work. Really hoping someone can give the definitive "hint" on that!!

i use glue to hold my pieces now but for those who do not like to use glue 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