I couldn't find a basket pattern I really liked so I made this one up. Everything was going fine I stitched around the outside edge and it was looking great, but then I needed to stitch the basket weave down. I was amazed at how great it was looking as I stitched down over the handle...

While I was working I was thinking, ot oh! It's going to look better if I stitch around the roses too. It will really help them pop! But then as I started doing that... The fabric started to crinkle. Not puker, more like poof...

My trouble is two fold. If I pull out the stitching you see around the blue roses on the right (I haven't done the left side yet.) That's half a morning's work gone... :cry: But If I leave it I have no idea how to keep it from puckering when I sew it....

Can anyone help me? Even if it's just to say it looks okay and I should keep going... I'd appericate it. This is a gift so the reciever will always have flowers.

Elizabeth,
Don't panic--with applique, you expect that to happen. Your piece is very large and that's probably why it's so noticeable.

Are you using any kind of stabilizer behind your fabric?? On large pieces, I usually will iron on a product like Wonder-Under or Heat N Bond LITE. Some people swear by unused coffee filters too...

Normally, I cut my blocks about 2 inches larger than the finished size so that I can square them up once I have finished them. After assembling them and quilting them, I have not had any more problems.

HTH,

I've used unused coffee filters with success for applique. They're cheap, and when the stores are closed or at a distance, and you can't wait, they work just fine.

I use news print.......you can use newspaper as long as it's at least 2 weeks old so that the print doesn't come off onto your fabric. Use behind your background. It's really easy to tear off.

That's a good idea. I bet newsprint tears away easier than the coffee filters, as it's thinner.

I can't tell from the pictures - are you going through a batting and batting as well as fastening the applique?

Try adding some trapunto. Just a thought.

It looks great though.

No suggestions Bev, but everyone else has great ideas!!! Thanks from me.

Sorry I can't help on the hand applique part kiddo, BUT I think its beautiful :D

No it's just going onto the white muslin. No batting or backing yet.

I didn't use stabilizer, but I did pin the heck out of it everytime I worked on it (my fingers tell that story!). Since the entire thing is stitched down all around I think I'm just going to continue it the way it is. When I quilt it I'll just tack it a bit inside the roses and by the basket that way it will look like it's supposed to be puffy.

Thanks ladies, there's a first time for everything and that's what this was for me.