Originally Posted by
Ada Shiela
Generally I don't do a lot of applique because I can't sit for too long, leaning forward over the machine to concentrate on stitch placement is hard on my back and hips but I appreciate your suggestion of cutting a circle out from the back, that way too much fabric would not be wasted as circles can be re-used. I have just bought a Sit & Stand desk from Officeworks so that I can vary between standing for embroidery and sitting for sewing, it sits on top of a normal desk or bench top and has variable heights. Not set up yet but hopefully will make my sewing more comfortable. Thanks for your advice.
I've seen those desks advertised. Hope it works out well for you. I don't have problems sitting to piece but when I machine quilt I have to do it in bits and spurts or my shoulders kill me. I'm guilty of pushing myself and then I really feel it that night and the next day! Getting older is not fun!
As for wasting fabric, yes, you can salvage part of it, but I don't usually worry about it. If you don't cut it away you are using it anyway when you leave it in the quilt. But yes, there have been times I have put the cutoffs in my scrap bin and used them for strip piecing like in Spiderweb blocks. I hope you will try it. It makes the blocks look so much prettier when quilted.