Laying Out Large Applique Design for Domestic Machine Applique
 

Hi All,

This one is for all of you applique lovers......I do turned edge applique, using a foundation that stays in and turning edges over, securing with glue, then I sew the pieces with my domestic machine using a tiny zig zag stitch...It's a great technique, learned it from one of the best, Sharon Schamber......Anyhow, I'd like to get your input.....Smaller projects are no problem, but when you have a large design, this one is 32" x 32", do you secure the entire design, then sew it down, or do you place a few pieces, sew them down and then add pieces til the design is complete.....I've never done a medallion this large and I could use some help! Looking forward to hearing from you......Thanks!

I did a very large tree appliqué for my daughter's wedding quilt. I added the pieces in sections and sewed each one in place then went back and added others. I use washable school glue to keep everything in place.

Large or small I add one piece at a time.

I usually put everything down then start stitching but I'm using fusible to hold it.There are times when I stitch sections then put them together. For example I will stitch directly to the stabilizer then tear it away and stitch down to the background. It all depends on the project.

I make units & work on just one unit at a time. If you're using fusible, it gets harder to sew through the longer it sits on the fabric so I try to fuse my applique as close to the time I plan to stitch them as reasonably possible.