joyplace

I received a Applique Book from a dear friend for Christmas..........I know zero about the supplies I will need. I do not care to do the needle turn for a starter. Maybe later . Thinking I will try the sewing machine applique first. ..........What kind of fusible web should I buy and where. Also any helpful hints for this will be so much appreciated.

joyplace

Whigrose

Congrats on the great gift from a thoughtful friend. I am a huge machine appliquer. I only use Heat n' Bond lite. I buy the rolls when it goes on sale.

As to the method, I use the 'donut method'. That is, trace your pattern piece onto the fusible then cut away all but 1/4" starting from the inside (center) to the edge all the way around. It will give you a much more subtle piece than if you fused the entire piece of fusible material to the fabric.

Good luck and have fun.

joyplace

Thanks for this information..........Most helpful. I reposted this information in the Main Forum........I am thinking I should have posted there first. My mistake.................

Steady Stiching

Everyone has their own favorite fusible. I would look for anything that says LIGHT. The heavier products will gum up your needle and cause you fits. Also, I keep a tiny jar of scrap fabrics with alcohol on them to wipe my needle down when sewing with this product.
I prefer Heat and Bond light, some prefer Steam a seam light. I don't care for the double paper of the steam a seam, but steam a seam has a tacky back that aids in the pieces not moving around. Might want to buy a bit of both and play with it and see what you like best.

BonniFeltz

I have used both Heat and Bond light and Steam a seam light. I too prefer Heat and Bond light but for every one who says that you'll find somebody who likes steam a seam light better. Try to get them on sale and buy a little of each to see which you prefer.

lynmh

I use wonder under 805 I think is the #. Its the one Laura Wasalouski SP??? uses. Does not gum up needle at all.

Oh and I am a needle turn freak lol. I love it !!

TanyaL

I love wonder under also. Here's a hint I REALLY love. Embroider your fabric first before you cut out your applique pieces. This will give the appearance of very expensive fabric for just the cost of time and thread and avoid having so many pieces out of boring solid colors.

Janis

If you would like to do hand applique, I find that cutting my applique pattern out of freezer paper to the finished size works for me. I have to reverse the design the way I do it, and then trace the design on the dull side of the freezer paper. Then cut out the design and iron onto the wrong side of the fabric. Cut it out with a 1/4 inch seam allowance around the freezer paper. Then hand press the seam allowance onto the FP. I then hand baste the seam allowance down on the applique.through the freezer paper. You can then press it all with an iron. When sewing the applique to the backing, you can take out the basting thread as you go along, or wait until almost done, and take the basting thread and the freezer paper out, and then finish the applique. This way works well if you have curves and want them to lay flat. I'm not that good at needle turn and this way works for me. I hope this helps. Oh yes, I also pin the applique to where I am going to sew it from the back of the project. That way the pins don't get in the way as much. I don't like using the tiny applique pins.

Grace creates

HI, I came across a new method for machine applique recently. I cut out the shape on paper and place it on a square of fabric . The appliques square fabric is right side up. I place this on the block right side up and sew a straight stitch around the paper, sandwiching the applique shape to the block. Then I cut away the excess fabric all the way around the applique shape. Last I do a blanket stitch or whatever stitch you like around the applique. I made a Bible cover and trapuntoed the applique dove. It came out really nice. Don't have a camera to send a pic. Hope my directions made a little sense. Grace

Janis

Grace, I think to have the two pieces of fabric sewn together and then cutting the top one away would be hard. How about using freezer paper and tracing the right side of the pattern on the paper side of the freezer paper and iron it onto the applique fabric. Cut the applique out, remove the freezer paper or just fold it back off the edges of the applique and then use a little water soluble glue on the back of the applique or pins in the center to hold just the applique to the square and then do your applique stitch on the applique. This might work a little better. I'd b e afraid of not getting the applique cut out well that way you are doing it.