Iceblossom

I'm making some banners and there has got to be an easier way for me next time!

So, I know letters in signs need to be at least 2" and thick to be seen. My printer only prints up to about 100 pt fonts. I did a search on "large fonts for posters" and found a type face that was close to what I wanted, printed out my letters and went to the copier at the local office supply store and enlarged twice.

So first off -- Are there easier quilter resources for alphabets that I didn't find?

When cutting them, my natural inclination is to cut the outline of the letter first and then go in for the centers/details, but I found it easier to cut out the middle of the letters first, is that just me?

Also, maybe it's my scissors but I found I got much better results being closer to the hinge than using the tips, is it time to invest in a better pair of tiny scissors??

So any help/tips y'all who do this sort of thing regularly can give me, I will file away and use for future projects!

cindi

I use Microsoft Word for my appliqué letters and numbers most of the time. There are dozens of sites where you can download just about any font for free, too. I also cut my letter centers out first (much easier to control the fabric and prevent stretching. Sounds like you need a new pair of scissors, for sure. You want scissors with seriously sharp tips to cu edges cleanly. I love Kai 4.5” serrated scissors, they grab the fabric to keep it from slipping https://kaiscissors.com/kai-3120-4-1...work-scissors/. And these Kai embroidery scissors, which also have a super-sharp tip https://kaiscissors.com/kai-5135-5-1...dery-scissors/. I wouldn’t be without either, and I do a darn good amount of applique.

I don’t know what fusible you use for your appliqué, but I use Mistyfuse exclusively now since finding this awesome tutorial:
https://suebleiweiss.blog/2017/03/19...ward-applique/. Saves steps and I always get perfect applique. Plus, it has such a soft hand you can’t even tell Mistyfuse is on the fabric.

juliasb

I too use Microsoft Word for fonts I need of a larger size. What is nice is I can print very large fonts and it will just come out on two pieces of paper that I can line up and tape before cutting with my extra 1/4". I use a light weight fusible and then do a cut and turn before securing with the iron and placing my lettering where I want to sew it down. As far as scissors go I have a nice sharp small pair of applique scissors that work great. I can't tell you where I purchased them and it has been many years ago. I am thinking I got them from a Pergamano source in the Netherlands. They are as sharp as can be and I am very careful with them and put them right back in their box as soon as I finish with them.

Iceblossom

I'm using Open Office and a laser-jet printer, looks like using real Word might be a good thing to raise my font sizes higher than what I can currently do.

My embroidery type scissors are fake Stork type (definitely not Gingher) and rarely used but I keep hearing great things about Kai scissors and maybe will pick up some next time I get a chance.

By the way, I found some great stuff at the office store -- making posters has sure changed from my school days! I picked up a pack of big reflective letters (non-washable, or at least I assume), that I can use for other things or as traceable letters.

Iceblossom

Oh silly me! I just had a thought and went into Open Office and instead of choosing an available font size (96), I just typed in 200 and it worked. Don't know if it will work on all fonts or some.

Argh, I did document production for so many years and should have thought of that. I remember when the fully scalable font concept came out. I was thinking about WordArt, don't know if that is still part of official Word or not, but it was another way to make letters for stencils.

Peckish

Your title says applique - are you at all interested in paper-pieced letters? I found a beautiful paper-pieced script alphabet here (click on "alphabets").

If you're finding it easier to cut close to the hinge of your scissors, it's possible they need to be sharpened. Unless, of course, you want to treat yourself to a new pair, in which case I say yes! You absolutely need new ones!

Rhonda K

I use the 4 inch and 6 inch scissors found here for applique or trimming small areas.

http://www.karenkaybuckley.com/store.php?cat=5/ They are sharp.

Agree with the previous comments about mistyfuse for applique. It is thin and works well.

quiltingshorttimer

I bought a set of letter stencils at the hardware store that are used for sign painting. I use them to trace the letter I want on fabric fused to an fusible adhesive, then use my little 4" very sharp scissors to cut and fuse.

I can get a 2.5" letter from my Silhouette cutting machine easily for that size too. You might check around and see if you know anyone with an Accuquilt machine that has the letter/numbers die--think they are 3".

LAF2019

When I needed letters (about 4" tall), I just did a google search for "printable letters", and found a bunch of results. You may have luck with those results, especially if you are looking for a style that Word does not carry.

teacherbailey

I use the letter sets that teachers use on bulletin boards. They come in several sizes and probably at least 10 fonts, all different “feels”. They’re easy to trace and use. Hope this helps!