Help please! hand applique bias strips for "vines" or stems"
05-30-2009, 06:10 AM
#11
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Originally Posted by mic-pa
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Originally Posted by mic-pa
when I hand applique stems etc. I cut them on the bias and and with right sides together I sew them down the side. Then I have strips of plastic made just for stems etc. (found at most quilt shops) insert them in the tube I have made and iron them with the seam in the center so as to have it hidden on the underside as I hand sew the stem down. Once ironed of coarse you pull the strip of plastic out. I hope you understand what I am trying to say. Maybe someone on here has a tutorial they can show you. Marge
05-30-2009, 06:24 AM
#12
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I also sew my bias strips wrong side together, then insert the "strip" (mine happens to be metal) and press seam to center. If you sew the bias strips right side together, you would have to turn it inside out, which would be difficult if the strips were very narrow. Thats just what works for me.
Phyllis
Phyllis
05-30-2009, 06:39 AM
#13
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Wow! Thanks everybody! think I have made my decision. Off to lqs for the flat metal or plastic strips. seems like the easiest way to handle. Also, I have beenironing, then basting my butcher paper to fabric pieces. Watched a tute using liquid starch, artist paint brush and mini iron.. How simple and FAST is THAT????? no more basting and sore finger for me. Now. just have to wtch that hot little iron and fingers. Thanks again. y'all are G-R-E-A-T :lol: :lol: :lol:
05-30-2009, 07:23 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by mic-pa
when I hand applique stems etc. I cut them on the bias and and with right sides together I sew them down the side. Then I have strips of plastic made just for stems etc. (found at most quilt shops) insert them in the tube I have made and iron them with the seam in the center so as to have it hidden on the underside as I hand sew the stem down. Once ironed of coarse you pull the strip of plastic out. I hope you understand what I am trying to say. Maybe someone on here has a tutorial they can show you. Marge
05-30-2009, 09:33 AM
#16
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Originally Posted by bearisgray
Originally Posted by mic-pa
Originally Posted by bearisgray
Originally Posted by mic-pa
when I hand applique stems etc. I cut them on the bias and and with right sides together I sew them down the side. Then I have strips of plastic made just for stems etc. (found at most quilt shops) insert them in the tube I have made and iron them with the seam in the center so as to have it hidden on the underside as I hand sew the stem down. Once ironed of coarse you pull the strip of plastic out. I hope you understand what I am trying to say. Maybe someone on here has a tutorial they can show you. Marge
05-30-2009, 10:46 AM
#17
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Originally Posted by bearisgray
Wouldn't you sew WRONG sides together ?
05-30-2009, 08:27 PM
#18
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:shock: Well, I guess I learned something. Because I did sew rightside together, & turned them. Then used the bias bars to press flat with seam in the middle. Also even though they were bias strips I had to dampen them to get a smooth curve but I was shapeing them into the pink ribbon (cancer awareness) symbol, and they just wouldn't curve smoothly & be flat withour dampening & then pressing in shape. But I got it done. Turned out great too. Then I appliqued them down. Still got enought to add to another full quilt, :lol:
06-04-2009, 07:58 AM
#19
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Location: Central PA
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I cut my bias a lot wider than required for the finished stem. I use those white plastic strips that are used to bundle items together and have a slot at the end to tighten. Clip off that sloted end, the other end is slightly pointed. (Sorry, I don't know the techincal name but know they are lot cheaper than the bias bars. They also cool quicker than the metal.)
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, use your cording or zipper foot and stitch along the edge of the white strip - really crowd the strip and slip the strip along the entire length of bias as you stitch. Before removing the strip, trim very closely to the sewn line. Owing to the crowding of the strip, wiggle the seam to the underside with the plastic strip still inside, sliding it along until the entire strip is pressed; and finally remove. You may also use a spritz of sizing to dampen before pressing, I do as it give a crisp edge. -- This even works with long, long strips for stems that may have to be seamed together.
PS: I prefer sizing, as spray starch leaves a white residue.
Suzanne
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, use your cording or zipper foot and stitch along the edge of the white strip - really crowd the strip and slip the strip along the entire length of bias as you stitch. Before removing the strip, trim very closely to the sewn line. Owing to the crowding of the strip, wiggle the seam to the underside with the plastic strip still inside, sliding it along until the entire strip is pressed; and finally remove. You may also use a spritz of sizing to dampen before pressing, I do as it give a crisp edge. -- This even works with long, long strips for stems that may have to be seamed together.
PS: I prefer sizing, as spray starch leaves a white residue.
Suzanne
06-04-2009, 12:29 PM
#20
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 955
Thanks! all good information I'm gathering. I did buy the BIAS STRIPS and they seem to work well. I just need to use ziper foot to get REALLY close to edge of bar. Thanks for tip on sizing vs starch. The quilt wil be washed and dried before giving it away so does it really matter which I use???
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