I hope my first one looks as good as that! :) And thanks for the Walmart tip - the next town still has a fabric dept, I'll have to check next time we go there.

My very first quilt was a beginner class sampler. One of the blocks was applique, so of course my answer is GO FOR IT!! :D
Mine was done by hand but I love machine app also. I love both!

Tina, just go for it! When I hand quilted my first quilt, a sampler, I quickly realized that hand quilting is my favourite technique. I stopped patchwork and started to do wholecloth - even before I learned how to appliqué or to do a high quality patchwork.
I am totally addicted to hand quilting and I don't miss anything!

If you want to learn appliquie, go for it. It is not hard to learn.

I learned how to applique as part of my 1st basic quilting class. I was brand new to quilting and I mean seriously GREEN! :)
My teacher considered applique a quilting technique to learn with 4patch, 9patch and piecing. I am so glad she did. I read a lot of posts here on the QB where people are hesitant to try applique and I've never had that fear. At first I complained about hand sewing/needle turned applique but I very quickly found it to be relaxing and I now love having a project to work on that's easy to pick up and go with. Give it a try.....you'll love it!

BONK the freedom farie just hit you with her quilting wand you are free to try anything your heart desires.Have fun Sandy :-D

I like your snowman. I think he's cute. And you did a nice job! Really!

There are many different ways to applique, and you don't have to be a skilled quilter to start. I learned a lot from Harriet Hargrave's about different ways to machine applique. Here is a link to the latest edition of her book:
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mach.../dp/157120136X

I took a class in needle-turn applique, but found that my hand cramps up quickly so I tend to use the machine.

There are many different ways to applique. YouTube has so many videos on these techniques.
I suggest trying them out on scraps, and find the one that works best for you.

I like using raw edge/fusibles, but there are a few quilts that I would prefer the look of the edges being turned. But this is just MY personal preference :D:D:D

It is a "different" skill than regular piecing and not everyone likes applique. Those who like it may do it by hand or by machine - or combine. If applique interests you, just give it a try.