Applique layering advice needed please
 

Hi guys! I am entered in a summer themed mug rug swap... the designs should be inspired by the sun or beach. So, I decided to make a little beach scene. I started planning it out last night... this is my first ever all-by-myself-design though.

This is what I have got so far... hopefully my swap partner isn't seeing this! Anyhow.. my question is... any advice on layering the sky, water, and sand? I wasn't sure if I should cut away some of the water behind the sand in order to avoid having so many layers.

And while I have you... I still haven't decided on turned edge or raw... or how I want to stitch it down. So if you want to weigh in on that feel free!
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The sky would be the backing, then you just add things on in layers as you did from your drawing: the mountain and then the beach, towel, umbrella and lastly the sun. I would at least do a buttonhole stitch if you don't do needle turn. Have Fun. Cute idea. I would have just done a pair of flip flops on a sand fabric!!

I LOVE your sun. If you're just making a few, I'd needle turn. But if you're making a good number of them I'd
machine stitch. Kathy

Thanks! I came up with the idea after seeing this: http://www.acraftyfox.net/tutorial/i...late-tutorial/

I used their blade template and drew my own circle using a stencil because I wanted one larger than their template. When I stitched the blades, I used a 1/4" seam and then trimmed it to about a scant 1/8" and pressed them open. I used a bit of fray check to keep the threads from unraveling in the seams, because I didn't want to bulk them up too much with back stitching since the blades were so small.

I do a lot of that kind of work and I usually go with what looks best with the picture I want. I would needle turn where the sky meets the water and the water meets the beach as it would look more natural. I love what you are doing it is going to be so cute.

Thanks... I was thinking needle turn was probably the way to go. I have very limited experience with it though, and have never done hand applique (although I am doing EPP now) ... this might be an excellent opportunity to practice.

I would use Fray Block instead of Fray Check. It is softer and if you are going to needle through it, it is much easier.

Thanks for the tip! I will look for some.

Since it is a mug rug you need to use a technique that will survive washing. Snacks are sweet and sticky and my coffee never stays in the mugs. But that's just my two cents worth. Great design.

I agree. I do needleturn. I dont usually trim out behind pieces.Jo

Just an update on my progress... Any feedback is appreciated! This is my first attempt at designing on my own, and my first attempt at hand stitching turned edge applique. My biggest irritation so far is that I wish I had made the water a little more narrow, but it is acceptable.

In the photo the umbrella top and the sun aren't stitched yet, but the pole and everything else is stitched. The paper on top is just to help me in placement, since I decided it was easiest to leave myself lots of wiggle room and then trim it all down in the end.

I still want to come up with something else to add in to fill a little of the empty space on the sand... maybe a bucket, shells, or a sandcastle or something... not sure. I am also still trying to decide about quilting... I think it will be light on the quilting, just some variegated brown/tan threads here and there in the sand to add texture. The sky might get some swirls or small cloud shapes... and the water, that will be the trickiest. I am wanting to use some threads that will catch light and add in something that gives the impression of sunlight catching on ripples in the water.

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