Prism99

For something like that, I starch the background fabric very heavily before cutting. This is how I do it (fast and easy).

Mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo laundry starch and water. (Sta-Flo is sold in a blue quart bottle in the laundry section of most grocery stores.) Lay the fabric out on my kitchen island and "paint" the starch onto the fabric using a large wall painting brush. I saturate the fabric, then toss it in the dryer. Finally, I iron it with steam. This leaves the background fabric about as stiff as cardstock and very stable; there is no need to use a stabilizer under it.

I also starch the applique fabric, although not as heavily.

I prefer using the very tiny, short applique pins to secure the applique to the background. You need at least 3 pins to prevent shifting, but these can be an inch or so away from the edge.

Starching the background fabric heavily prevents "tunneling" of the satin stitch and eliminates the need for a stabilizer underneath. I normally don't use spray starch because I have a lot of trouble controllling over-spray, plus I tend to have my iron too hot and have both gunked up my iron and scorched the spray starch. None of that happens when I use the Sta-Flo method above.

Lisa T

I do a lot of machine applique, and I think the biggest thing that helps with the puckering is a stabilizer. I am super-cheap so I use magazine pages. They tear off fairly easily and you are recycling, too! Amma is right about making the stitches nice and close, too. Usually my magazine pages will fall off without me even having to pull on them.

I always cut my squares bigger and then trim them. It has saved me many times!

I have not used starch, but it does sound like a good idea.

Also, if I am laying a large applique on the quilt top, I will put some quilt basting spray on the back of the applique rather than pinning it. It is repositionable, but keeps it flat and stationary.

Lisa T

Another thing- your butterflies look like some in a quilt I made about 4 years ago for my niece. Are they from a book called "Happy Quilts"? It's an older book I got at a thrift store. They are going to be cute!!

Here is a link to the thread with pics of my quilt.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-16959-1.htm

Jerrie

sometime it could be the tention when you applique too tight

Olivia's Grammy

I use church bulletins when I machine applique. It's heavier that regular paper, but not as heavy as construction. I volunteer in our church office so our Pastor lets me have the extra unprinted ones.

Olivia's Grammy

I make my blocks larger and then cut down to size.

moreland

Put a piece of tracing paper or tear-away under your fabric before you begin machine stitching, then tear it away. Our resident specialist reminded us of this "trick" at our meeting this month!

Beverly Polito

Jill you need to use a stabilizer under your fabric. You can use anything from a commerical stabilizer to tissue paper. This will help the pucking in your design. I have taught several classes in machine applique and have found that tissuer paper, double it and carefully remove it from the stitching. Also do a practice piece using several different stitches available on your machine. Mark the practice piece with the stitch lines that you like to use this as future guideline to you. I usually use a blanket stitch and have had great results with it. You can shorten or lengthen the stitch as desired. Hope this helps.

thequilteddove

I tried this last night... WORKS FABULOUSLY. Best ever!

quiltmom04

If you use heat and bond (or other fusible) cut out the center so you only have about 1/4 - 1/2 inch around the edges. It will keep it from getting too stiff. Also, it looks like you need to use a stabilizer under the stitching. you can use embroidery stabilizer, or I sometimes use freezer paper, or bakers parchment if the design is larger. Freezeer paper can be "fused" to the back and then removed. Parchment you'll have to pin to the background. I think that will help your stitching tremendously!