Applique help needed....
 

Can freezer paper be used to stabilize fabric when machine appliqueing? I used heat n bond lite to fuse my shapes to the base fabric but I get tunneling when I try to applique around the shapes. I am sewing on a 6600P Janome. It has been so long since I've tried appliqued that I am just getting flustered. Any suggestions, tips or tricks would be Greatly Appreciated.

I only use freezer paper for templates when I do needle turn. I think I would use a water soluable stabilizer for machine applique. I am sure someone will give you a Better answer. I haven't done much machine applique.

I think you will need to use a stabilizer, like you would use for machine embroidery. To reduce bulk, try a wash away or tear away.

What stitch are you using around the applique? I use soft fuse to fuse the pieces to the base fabric and a small, close machine blanket stitch. I have done a lot of quilt applique and no tunneling. I use cotton fabric and cotton thread. I have never used or needed a stabilizer. I am sorry you are having trouble. I wish I could look at your applique for a diagnosis. Perhaps you could take it to your local quilt shop or quilt guild. Please don't give up on machine applique.

machine applique is fun and fast. Maybe your tension on the bobbin is too tight.
can you show us a picture of the problem. I wouldn't use any type of paper. it will gum up after being washed and stay in there. You don't want that.

When doing any kind of applique, I always want to stabilize the background fabric. My favorite method is to *heavily* starch the background fabric before cutting (and I always cut over-sized in case there is some takeup of the background fabric from appliqueing). My method is to use a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" this onto the fabric with a wall painting brush, wait a few minutes to make sure the starch has penetrated the fabric fibers, toss the fabric into the dryer, then iron with steam. This stiffens the background fabric enough so that it does not distort when I machine applique, and the starch washes out later. I have never had a problem with tunneling when I have stabilized the background fabric this way.

If you don't want to starch, then you should use some type of stabilizer under the background fabric. Freezer paper would be one of the less attractive options because you have to remove it afterwards. This is okay if you are doing satin stitch applique, but if you are doing something like blanket stitch applique the stitching will not cut the freezer paper enough to make it easy to remove. Better options are to use a washaway stabilizer (tends to be pricey and may not provide enough stability unless you use several layers) or a lightweight stabilizer that does not need to be removed, such as this one:
http://www.amazon.com/No-show-Polyme...dp/B003XDAQYG/
You would not want to use a heavyweight stabilizer as that will change the hand and drape of your block. However, lightweight stabilizers are fine.

I use Pellon 360 Tear-Away Paper Stabilizer for satin stitching. I get it at JAF. Full price is $2.99/yard but I always use a 50% off coupon or buy it when it's on sale for 1/2 price. The other option is a water soluble stabilizer like Sulky Solvy.

If you're thinking you want to try Freezer Paper, I would definitely try it on a scrap piece first. I've never heard of using it as stabilizer. Freezer Paper is used for turned edge applique when you're pressing the edges.

How about tissue paper..the kind used in gift wrapping...I've used it in a pinch and it worked for me....I don't starch prior to....

You really don't want the freezer paper to be embedded in your top. Even with English paper piecing, you do remove the paper before quilting the quilt.

I do a lot of satin stitch applique. I always iron a sheet of freezer paper to the back of my base block to stabilize it before I satin stitch. When you're finished, it tears off very easily. I know lots of people do it different ways, that's just the way I do it. Whatever you're comfortable doing is the right way for you.

Yes, Yes, Yes. I use it all the time. I also have used 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper. In fact the lady who taught me said you can even use coffee filters.

I must clarify - all of my machine applique is wall hangings that do not get washed.

I took a machine appliqué class from Harriet Hargrave years ago and think you still may be able to find her book it was not hard turns out very nice we used freezer paper for template ironed on wrong side of fabric cute out 1/4 inch around pieces then used glue stick to stick to freezer tape used blind hem stitch to appleque cut small hole in the back to remove freezer paper if some was stuck to hard spritz with water and on smaller pieces I used tweezers to remove paper through the hole worked very good I also took a class from Mary Stori for another kind of appliqué where you can use a picture off fabric , fish, flower whatever lightly stuff small hole in back use a drinking straw to turn then all appliqué by hand in your wall hanging makes some great picture quilts there are so many ways to appliqué you just have to find the kind you like

Thank You ALL for the great tips/suggestions. This board never fails me when I have questions. It's wonderful! I think I'm gonna spend the day trying all of these different techniques and see which ones work best for me.

I have the same machine and do a lot of blanket stitch applique and every once in a while I forget to check the screen to see what the presser foot setting should be and what the tension should be set at!! I get tunneling if both are not correct!
Try checking those 2 things {very very simple!!} and I will bet you have no more tunneling!!!

I don't have too much info on tips for applique. I have used the freezer paper to use as a template, cut out the pattern, iron freezer paper to fabric pattern and use glue stick to apply fabric to freezer paper. Then do a hand stitch to background and then remove fp. I also have a Janome 6600 and was wondering if you would share what settings you have on your machine to do blanket stitch? I have tried and I am unable to get a good result. Any info you can give me will be appreciated.

On my Janome 6600 I use: mode 2...#35...then I check the screen and adjust the presser foot and the tension as suggested on screen...it makes a very nice blanket stitch!!

I use tear away stabilizer.

Thank You. I tried a satin stitch with the freezer paper & I like how it looks. I will be using that I think when I too make wall hangings. It's a nice clean finish.

Thank You. I have been playing around all day with the blanket stitches. I think I have a handle on what I'm doing now... well at least I hope so. :)

I'm not much help with this. I've been playing around all day with my Janome. There are 4 or 5 blanket stitches #35 - 40 (I think) mode 2. pressure foot set on 2. I'm still learning. I do want to get some heavier thread I think. I think that might look better but I'm guessing. :)

Thank You! :)

Thank You for responding. I should have specified that I am getting the tunneling when I try the satin stitch ( zig zag) Part of my problem may have been the cheap/thin muslin that I was practicing on. I'm still having problems when I try using the satin stitch but I have the blanket stitch under control, I think :)

Try a looser tension on both bobbin and top thread, and starch the fabric well. I have used washaway Solvy scraps dissolved in water instead of starch with good results, otherwise back the fabric with copy paper. I know there are those who won't agree, but I've never had a problem with it, and the paper comes out after soaking in water for a few hours.

I use a heavy weight tear away with my satin stitches and often the pieces fall off as I stitch. My satin stitch is very tight and dense. I tried several pieces of freezer paper but needed more stability. Whatever works for you.

Would using a thin embroidery thread in the bobbin help, and loosen the top tension...just guessing

I use a stabilizer like heat and bond lite, iron it down and then with my normal machine do either a blanket stitch or a zig zag stitch. You have to go slow around curves. If it is ironed down I don't see how you'd get tunneling.

Thank you "DrivingSusan" for the info on the settings for blanket stitch. I greatly appreciate it and soon will be trying that way.

I use freezer paper ironed on the back of my blocks too. Use a fairly close zig zag stitch. I did a butterfly applique and am working on a little dutch girl now. Freezer paper comes off slick as a whistle. I can't afford store bought stabilizer. I've also made 2 tee shirt quilts using freezer paper ironed on back before cutting blocks. Works fine, Try it on something just to test. You may be surprised.

I have used freezer paper and (depending on the shape and coverage needed) cash register tape (not the thermal stuff, the old fashioned one.

OMG! I haven't done applique for quite awhile. I am thinking of doing a fan, just satin stitched on cotton around the edge of the fan. Now I am scared to do anything. What in the world is tunneling? I thought I could just lay the pieced fan down on the cotton and buzz around it with a satin stitch. I better re-think this whole thing. Not tonight as I am finishing up my taxes too!:p