Knitette

I've just finished fusing this wall hanging onto the backing and want to know if I should sandwich first with batting and backing and sew through all the layers or whether I should attach the picture, then quilt.

In the past I've sewn through all layers and sewn then quilted but I'm not sure of the advantages or disadvantages of each method.

Is one way better than the other?
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quilts4charity

I always stitch around applique before quilting on my quilts that will be used and washed a lot, but if it's a wallhanging I think it would be okay not to do that. Beautiful block BTW.

sandyms

If you sandwich all the layers, then machine applique, you'll wind up appliqueing and quilting at the same time. Beautiful wallhanging.

QuiltnNan

just wanted to say that your pic is wonderful

Dragonomine

That's really beautiful work! The colors are fabulous too!

michelleoc

I normally stitch around everything before I sandwich and quilt. Your block is beautiful!

Barb_MO

Since it is a wall hanging, I would appilque around all the women then sandwich and quil, not do any applique on the details of the clothing, etc. Might do some detail quilting on the dresses. It is an outstanding piece and would like to see it finished.

Tartan

I usually do the outline stitching on the quilt top before quilting especially if I have a lot of thread changes. Since your piece is just a wallhanging it would depend on what you are going to it. Are you going to outline stitch the figures or put quilting inside them? If you are going to kind of thread paint all the details, I think I would do it while quilting. If you are just going to do the main outline on the applique I think I would do it with invisible thread so that you wouldn't see the colour changes over all the different colours along the edge. Beautiful block by the way!

Annaquilts

This-
sandwich first with batting and backing and sew through all the layers -

I feel the applique goes on nicer and it is easier to sew.


I would also use invisible thread.
Very nice!

ghostrider

Decide how you want the surface to look. If you want the figures to have raised surfaces, sandwich first. If you want them to remain relatively flat, stitch first. Personally, I'd sandwich first since I'd want the figures to be clearly in the forefront of the piece.