charlottequilts

Hi, everyone -

I am "just good enough" at appliqué, and this is only my third baby quilt, so I could really use some advice.

I will be doing straight stitch appliqué, pressing the edges under with starch. Some of the pieces will be quite large, like 8-10" circles.

Would you cut out the background fabric under the larger pieces? I've done it before but only on quilts that will be gently cared for. In this case, I am hoping my quilt will be the scrunched and drooled-on favorite.

I do not think the background will show through, since the appliqués will be much more saturated, but I could be wrong.

thanks,
charlotte

cindi

I rarely cut out the background unless it will show through the applique. I feel not cutting it out gives the applique a little more “poof”.

Tartan

For a much used baby quilt, I would not cut away the background. If some of the top stitching eventually comes loose, a Mom can restitch the appliqué without a big hole behind it.

juliasb

Like others here have said I would only top stitch around the design and not cut it away from the background fabric. You should get more poof! this way.

carolynjo

I would not cut the background away, either. I can see problems down the road if you do.

Jordan

I would suggest not to cut out the background fabric. It would give it a little more stability if you left in the background fabric

charlottequilts

Thanks so much to all of you for weighing in.

I have read about the "cutting out" so often, I just figured that's what everyone did. You've probably saved the quilt for me. <3

charlotte

ThreadHead

When I do applique I use a light weight sticky back tricot. Iron it down and It's easier to sew. I don't cut out the back either.