Originally Posted by
Sierra
For an extra 3D effect you could put your figures on to the same type of binding. You'd have to widen the size of you applique stitch, but it would add to the bang of the entire quilt. There are a lot of choices of bonded batting out there, but for this I'd use a flat style. It will be stiff, but when you wash it all that stiffness comes out and leaves a nice soft quilt.
WOW, I see that I said "binding" when I meant batting!!! And I mean the flatter kind, not great fluffy stuff. So sorry about that goof!
Oh someone else came in and asked a question.... Some batting is light and fluffy and some is more flat, and some if very flat. There is iron-on that has adhesive on one side, and some has adhesive on both sides. Both are activated by ironing (you have to read the instructions for any kind you use). All that I've used say that to use it w/o steam until you are sure you have it the way you want it. If you make an error setting it on the backing, just iron it enough to warm it and gently lift it up, take care of the problem and reiron it down. When it is the way you want it, use steam and it is down forever and ready to be appliqued on.
If you use a moderate loft (puffiness) and iron it on the back of your applique piece (ironing on the applique, not on the backing!) before you put it on the backing, you will be adding a third dimension to your quilt. This flattens the loft (heighth) of the applique, but when you wash the quilt the glue aspect disappears and your applique will be soft and just a little puffy. It can give a modest 3-D effect.
The flat batting might be made for doing crafts and appliques because it holds things tightly together and adds very little to the "loft" of the applique. I'm sorry I'm not giving you brand names. I don't have original wrappings anymore. I know for fluffier I have used June Taylor, but the flatter... I don't have any wraping... I got it a long time ago. Someone at Joann's or your LQS may be able to tell you. Iron-on batting has improved a lot in recent years so what you get may be better than anything I've used.