Well, I've never done it, but here's the method I wanted to try:
http://www.generations-quilt-pattern...-applique.html
Unfortunately, I couldn't find RinsAway anywhere, the 2 JoAnn's around here don't carry it in any form (bolt or package).
I did a little test with my machine, and I think the most "invisible" stitch on mine IS a tiny zigzag (didn't like the blind hem on mine) and I'll do it with monofilament (black thread in bobbin). Planning not to wash the background fabric (did wash applique fabrics) so when washed the black will shrink a tiny bit and pull the stitches slightly, making them even more invisible. Instead of the RinsAway I'm going to use a lighweight paper backed fusible (as above, can run it through the printer so I don't have to trace!), fuse to fabric, cut out with a 1/8-1/4" turn-under, wet turn-under with liquid starch and fold/manipulate under until I'm satisifed and then press to dry, carefully remove paper from fusible (trying to distort the turn-under as little as possible, and fuse entire applique to background (there's plenty of fusible inside the turn-under allowance once turned), then do the stitching.
I did a small test piece and although I may need to create stiffer templates to manipulate the turn-under around, I think I'll be okay this way if I'm careful.
I really liked the idea of the RinsAway to avoid the stiffness of the fusible. I wanted a turned under edge because I didn't want to satin stitch all of it (too many color changes!) to avoid fraying and I wanted it to look more like hand applique. The lightweight fusible doesn't make it that stiff, so I'll live with it.
There is a freezer paper method to do this too, but then you have to cut through the background behind the applique to get the freezer paper out, and I didn't really want to that, either (doesn't the fabric fray along the cut eventually?).
Anyhow, it's all theoretical right now and until I get to actually doing it in the next few days it's the plan. ;) Plans (mine at least - lol) are always subject to change.
Glad to see others intrested in this!!
Yes, if/when there is enough of the border pattern avaiable, I think it's a great plan to start ahead on that because that seems like the most work of the whole quilt! Lots of work in this one, but worth it!
I'll try to get a pic of my fabrics up in the next day or 2, too.
How's everyone else doing?