I see so many absolutely stunning quilts that many of you share with us and I assume, I know that's a terrible word, that they are all hand applique.

I have been quilting for over 25 years but have yet to do very much of it. I think I am a little intimidated by the whole idea of appliqueing anything but a very simple block. I'm wondering how many of you out there do the real thing and how many either machine applique or fuse. If you machine, do you use a buttonhole stitch or a satin stitch and if you fuse, what's the best fusible you use? What method works best for you? What tips can you give me? I need some help getting motivated and am hoping that your experience will light a fire under me. Thanks.

I machine applique with Heat n Bond . My machine has an applique stitch that I adjust a little , to make it smaller .

I just recently started applique also :wink: AND love it :lol:

I am not a fan of applique. BUT I have done it both ways--machine and hand. I hate hand work, but love the look of hand applique better than machine. Some can get the corners looking great with a machine, mine look like a disaster.... I usually do button hole stitch by hand and satin on machine (because of the disaster with button hole) I ALWAYS use some form of fusing. The last hand applique I did I use Steam a Seam 2 and it was very thick for me and difficult to needle. When I use a cheap fuse from a bolt from Jo-anns I don't have that problem. You just need to try different things to see what you like and go from there. Good luck on your adventure!

I fuse with Steam-a-Seam2 (or some other lighter brand, can't recall the name), and then buttonhole stitch around the edge on the smallest length/width settings that my machine will do to secure it down. It opens up a lot of possibilities! :)

I've done the "regular" way always, and have just recently tried machine applique and freezer paper. I hate both, LOL!

I love the regular needle turn applique. I could sit and do it for hours.

I have used fusible and then machine appliqued around it. It is definitely not my favorite thing to do, but I just played with all of the different stitches on my machine. I really like the feather stitch.

I do a lot of applique. Even though I love the look of hand applique, I don't do it. I hate hand work. I do raw edge machine applique. I fuse with wonder-under and depending on what I'm doing, I will use the applique stitch on my machine, which looks like a botton hole stitch, or the zig zag stitch. I use the zig zag stitch for more details work, like when I'm appliquing Airedales.

I only hand applique. It is so relaxing and it is also good to grab and go when you are going to be waiting around.

Hand applique can be relaxing. I've only done a little bit of machine applique. I guess I 'm not comfortable doing it in case I have to rip out. I hate ripping out.

I do some hand work but only if I want to go for the "rustic" look. SOmehow, my curves get a little choppy.

For machine applique, I like steam-a-seam 2 and I secure with a blanket stitch. If the piece is large, I trim the interfacing so the center of the piece is not stiff. I hear that steam-a-seam light also cuts down on the stiffness.

I've done needle turn for Hawaiian applique' but haven't tried any other type (yet).

I love to do applique work. My favorite method is invisible machine applique using the freezer paper method. Harriet Hargrave's book is *excellent* for explaining the different methods of machine applique. I have an older version, but here is a link to the latest edition of her book:
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mach...dp/157120136X/

The one thing I do differently is I use Elmer's school paste (comes in a jar, smells like peppermint) and my finger to turn the edges over the freezer paper. I find this much faster than Harriet's glue stick method.

Me too, me too, me too. Except I don't do Airedales.

The only way I do any applique is with wonder under and machine stitching. I'll do raw edge with invisible thread on some things and with a blanket stitch on other things if I want a more rustic or folk art style look.

have to agree with you it is my most favourite way of creating a quilt top

I took a class on a technique that combines needle turn and fuseable. I just love it, but don't know what the actual name is. Check out Lorraine's Garden in the picture section. I did the whole thing with this technique. Look at the points!!! It sure simplifies everything.

Having just recently begun a new applique quilt I decided to try fusing on the first block.

I wasn't too keen and have now gone back to needle turn on my second block. Content and relaxed.

Joanne

I tried hand applique and didn't like it. I do applique on my machine.

I do just the opposite here. I tried machine applique and didn't like it. I do applique by hand.

After extensive research, I have discovered that applique is actually impossible. People who disagree are just faking it! :lol: :lol: :lol:

:lol: :lol:


Me, well I'm trying all sorts of things at the moment, and still don't know where I'm going with it. But I just love applique.

I mostly fuse. I use Heat n Bond, also Steam a Seam. I have done needle turn, but not a lot. I almost always do a satin stitch around the edges.

I have tried several ways, I really like freezer paper. This is what I do. cut out freezer paper just as you want finished applique to be, then cut fabric 1/4 inch larger all around, place fabric right side down, center freezer paper on fabric shiny side up, fold over the 1/4 inch and press with a dry iron, all the way round. after cool remove freezer paper. and lay in bits of fusable thread, and heat with the tip of your iron, Now your applique bit is ready to put onto your back ground, either by machine or by hand, I also put a few bits of fusable thread to hold applique bit to the background.
Hope that is understandable. :-)

Interesting. I hadn't heard all of this before, just part of it.

I love to needle turn when I am watching tv or sitting in a doctor's office. However most of the time, I machine applique. I use Steam A Seam 2 but in order to cut down on the stiffness, after tracing the shape onto the Steam A Seam 2, I cut the center out of the center of the Steam A Seam 2 so there is only a minimal amount of the bonding agent left. I personally prefer a satin stitch and have never cared for raw edge unless it is for a wall hanging only.

I suggest you try all the methods out on the same piece (maybe applique a heart on a square) and give yourself a valid comparison.

Good luck and hope you find a method you enjoy.

I love to hand applique but I am at the point where I am ready to try machine applique just to finish a project sooner! Not sure I will like the look as much though.

I use wonder- under and hand applique. Love doing it. The fall I am going to try neddle turn applique

I just couldn't feel comfortable using my machine to applique...I really love sitting in the evenings and doing handwork. Not a fan of fusible...I find it makes the fabric a little stiff.

I hand applique. I draw my pattern on the non iron side of iron on fusible interfacing. I then place it with the iron on side to the right side of the fabric and sew around the drawn line. I cut out both layers with a 1/4 " seam allowance, and clip my curves and cut off the excess at the points. I then cut a slit in the fusible, and turn the piece right side out. I then set it with the iron where I want to sew it onto my background, and then hand applique it down.

i do lots of applique...by hand, by machine, by english paper piecing, by fusing...how ever the project needs to be done. I just love applique..never thought about not being a 'true appliquer' if i don't hand applique everything...hmmmmm to me applique is applique, the technique does not matter. when i do fusable applique i usually use heat n bond lite or wonder under (just depends on which lqs i stop at which one is carried.) for machine applique it depends on the project, some i use a buttonhole stitch, sometimes a straight stitch, sometimes an invisible hem stitch. for hand applique i use a buttonhome stitch, or an invisible stitch, or a straight stitch. for fusable i still use stitching....what ever stitch i want to use on the project i am working on.
there is no reason to be intimidated by applique it is a fun technique that opens up all kinds of possibilities and you have so many choices of technique. try stained glass applique, it is very forgiving and the creations are terrific even when you are new to the technique.

I recently did a machine applique. I think that I am going to go back to hand applique as I was not pleased with the way that it turned out.

I have always enjoyed doing applique by hand only. Whenever I tried to do it on the machine I was less than happy with the results. I was watching a demo at a quilt show and the demonstrator stated you must have the open toe foot for machine applique. I bought one immediately and must admit I was hooked. You can see what you are doing and the results were amazing. Good luck!

I use Stable Magic inside my applique. Its stiff, you cut out the piece, (actual size) attach it to the back of fabric with some glue stick (the washable kind) Cut out, adding a bit less than 1/4" for seams around the piece. Clip any inside curves almost to the Stable Magic. Use glue stick and turn the seam over onto the Stable Magic. Leave any side of a piece that will be covered by another piece un-turned. When all the pieces have been turned. I lay the pattern on a light box, then starting on the piece which lays fartherst back, use a tiny drop of Liquid Stitch on the unturned piece, then put the piece that is on top into the Liquid Stitch, press with iron to set. This makes everything stay together. Last is to use a tiny zig zag stitch with thread that matches the applique. Stitch all the seams down. Last put the applique in place on your background (again with glue stick) and stitch around the whole outside of the design. I use invisible thread for this step so I don't have to change colors when another piece is stitched over. Hope that's clear.

I have used both the glue stick and freezer paper method and love to do hand work. I have taken classes in Paducah to learn new methods to do applique work and found each teacher has something to offer. Furthermore, I can do this and join my husband in the living room in the evenings.
Carol J.

I use soft fuse and it works like a dream. The trick is to use a small ziz-zag with thread that matches the fabric and it is vitruall invisible. i also like hand applique it just takes longer.

Hi Joanie, you asked about applique. I can tell you this IT IS ADDICTING! One year ago, I did my fist piece and since then have made three beautiful quilts and got my two oldest daughters hooked! What looks impossible is not. Use good thread and a tweezer to help with the tiny pieces. Try something simple first. I stick the piecs on , a few at a time, the baste a bit and away you go. I like to use a very thin short quilting needle, daughters like longer ones, I guess it's a personal thing. Love it1 :D :D :D

I love to applique and I use my machine. I have tried hand applique and didn't enjoy it. I love to do hand stitching but that is not one I like to do. I fuse first and have used many stitches. I like to try new things. Almost all the baby quilts I make have applique on them. I love to do wall hangings too with applique.

You can use a glue stick also. Just don't put it where you will be stitching. It will wash out the first time you wash it.

It is one of my favorite ways to fake a pretty quilt and I love it. lol

I've done that to. With that method you can hide your stitched. That is fun too.

You are so right and I love applique too.