I have done some of the Mckenna Ryan raw edge blocks.....but that is where I left them. they are assembled but...no actual stitching down the edges yet. How have you all done them? I am thinking I can try the BSR on my bernina for going around the raw edges and then assemble the blocks together and do the background quilting on my longarm. or I have been thinking if I could assemble the blocks to make the quilt and then use my longarm to try and free motion around the raw edges....then I also have to figure out how to quilt the larger background spaces.

Good timing for the revival of this thread! Just yesterday I cut out the top for a Hawaiian quilt. This will be the 5th I have made. I love applique and am particularly inspired by anything "papercut" or Hawaiian in style.

I haven’t read more than a few pages of the many, many interesting posts here, so not sure if I’m asking an already-answered question - has anyone used Mod Podge for appliqué? It seems interesting to me?? I’ve tried a bit and am not sure that I can cope with all the mess compared with using Steam a Seam 2 or Mistyfuse, but does anyone think there are advantages to the Mod Podge technique? Also, on page one (I think) someone says they don’t rate raw edge appiqué as ‘proper appliqué; it IS!! It’s just one of many ways of adding one piece of fabric to another, which is all that is meant by ‘appliqué’. And has unique and interesting properties that other ways don’t. Just because hand-turned is harder work doesn’t necessarily make it more ‘proper’! I love the Appliquik method, too, especially for teeny weeny little pieces.

I think it's personal preference as far as adding the borders before or after completing the applique. I personally add my borders first especially when there are pieced borders to be added after the applique. I just want to make sure everything fits correctly.

I don't normally miter the corners. I like to piece my background fabric under the applique. I just think it's a little more interesting with a variety of fabrics.

Colorado Quilter: Thanks for sharing your technique. I am definitely in a quandary of neurotic indecision! Because the final border is pieced and needs to be a specific size, I’m leaning more towards adding both borders before doing the appliqué.

For those who do prepared edge appliqué, do you use starch, sizing or glue? I make circles using Applipops last year and used washable glue. Just starting prep work on another project and found starch was working well both for the Applipop circles and leaves made with heat resistant template plastic. I know Karen Kay Buckley recommends sizing (something my grocery store doesn’t even carry). Do you have a favorite?

I use the starch method over templates made from layers of freezer paper or from Templar heat-resistant plastic. (freezer paper if I only need a few pieces, Templar if I'm going to need a lot of the same piece) My favorite starch is Niagara non-aerosol. I pour a little into a cup and apply it with a brush or - as I recently discovered - I fill a watercolor brush with the starch, instead. (Like these: https://www.amazon.com/Arteza-Water-...f=sr_1_17_sspa)

I try to do as much applique on the borders before I sew it onto the quilt center as I can, up to about 3/4-1" from the raw edge. Much less fabric to maneuver under the needle if you're applique-ing by machine - which seems to be most of what I'm doing, lately. :)

Elizabeth: thanks for your reply and your photo of your lovely quilt in progress. I have been using powdered starch mixed with water and a paint brush. The paint brush is a big improvement over a Q-tip! The brushes you linked look very interesting.

Such a good idea to use a water brush - and agreed re Niagara which, happily, I can buy in Hong Kong!

SuzSLO - I've used the powdered starch, too, but it sticks to my stainless steel iron. I used to cook the starch, saturate fabric with it and let it dry - then, when it's time to press under the edges, you just brush around the shape with clear water to re-activate the starch. Cooking it also keeps the starch from settling so you don't have to keep stirring it.

You can also dilute liquid Sta-Flo starch, but that's another one that doesn't get along with my iron. I used to love Best Press, but when I tried that a few days ago, that was sticking and burning, too. I've had to stock up on iron cleaner. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/tongue.png

Lalla - Hong Kong - what an interesting place to live in! :) I just came across the water brushes in my last big "purge," and thought I'd try them for applique and they work pretty well.