Applique method
 

What applique method have you had the best luck with? Do you like it because it's faster/easier or because you like the overall appearance when it's finished? I'm torn and really can't decide...

Needle turn because it's portable, I don't have to spend oodles of time ironing fabrics & I really love the finish. Also, it's so much easier to only stitch through fabric instead of trying to run an applique needle through fusible web.

But there is a place in this world for all types of applique & I've tried all the different methods -- machine stitched raw edge (button hole, straight stitch), hand stitched raw edge, freezer paper, needle turn. Sometimes I will combine different techniques together in the same quilt, especially if it's a detailed design where my needle turn skills will not give me a detailed result.

I only just got a machine that does machine applique earlier this year so I'm not very good at it, but the children's hospital by me will only take donations if they are 100% machine stitched so it's nice that I can now add some of the designs that I really love to my charity quilts without having to borrow someone else's machine.

PS -- I forgot to mention that I do raw edge stitched by hand for felted wool applique since you obviously cannot turn wool & I like the look of perle cotton (which you cannot run through machine).

I love the method of sewing applique to ironed dryer sheet or very light weight interfacing, making a slit in the interfacing, turning and stitching it down by blanket or applique stitch with invisible thread. I can no longer hand stitch, so this works great for me!!!

Almost all of my appliques were done with Seam A Seam 2. I like that you can adhere the applique and re-position if necessary before ironing permanently. My Viking Rose has a stitch which looks like hand stitching and I use YLI Wonder invisible thread.

I do most of my applique needle turn. I make freezer paper templates. Although for quick applique projects I will do the iron on, finishing the seams with invisible thread and a zig zag machine stitch.

If there are small or delicate pieces to the appliqué I do raw edge with fusible web. If the pieces are bigger, I do quick turn appliqué with light weight interfacing. Then it depend on the project if I stick it down by hand or machine. I haven't learned needle turn yet, but will someday.

I mostly use the modified needle turn method where you prepare the pieces by perturning the edges and iron with starch. Then hand applique down. Works well for me.

I really like the look of fused applique with satin stitch edges. I may use matching rayon thread, or sometimes I like to use a dark color to give the finished project a coloring page look.

Sometimes it depends on rather if it a wall quilt or something that may be washed often such as a bed quilt.

mawluv, you are sew smart. I have lots of those dryer sheets stuck in my bedrooms trashcan where I fold the laundry. I've had an orange peel on my bucket list for a while but hate to needle turn. I think dryer sheets will do the trick. Thank you.

I prefer backing with Sewer Paper (found at Home Depot) light and easy to use. I washed and tested it several times before I used it and it is great! It comes in a large roll and the cost is minimal.

I started out doing the freezer paper templates. Then I found I like back basting. It all depends what a particular piece calls for. I forgot to say I do needle turn applique.

It all depends but I really like the freezer paper. I don't do freezer paper like a lot do though. I cut my applique piece out then cut just enough freezer paper, not necessarily to shape, of applique to adhere to the fabric. Then needle turn or machine.

this is also my preferred method. I'm not fond of the look of machine applique.

i'll have to try this for another method.

Well, I love to applique. My preferred choice is to baste the pieces to the background fabric first. I then keep a flat toothpick in my mouth and instead of needle turning, I use the toothpick to turn my fabric. The wetness helps grab the fabric to turn it. That is my favorite method which works great for me. Also after you baste the pieces down, you have a very portable piece to take with you when appliqueing on the go (or for me, babysitting my grandchildren at night). You should try all methods and see what works for you the best. Good luck! My favorite type of needle is the Clover Gold Eye Applique needle.

I love back-basting and needle-turning. I love how portable it is and how little prep it takes.

I hate freezer paper or starch or any other method that requires an iron. I adore the crisp look of it afterward but frankly I'm not coordinated enough to do it and still have fingerprints at the end. Also the cussing.

I'm also not a fan of raw-edge or machine applique, again because of the not-being-coordinated thing. My results just don't look as cool as the ones others are able to get with these methods.

However! I have tried to learn as many methods as possible because you never know when you'll need to do something different to get an effect that you want. I've never had a project where I used needle-turn for every piece. I also thought back-basting would be too inefficient until I tried it a few times and got the hang of it.

There are many different ways to get beautiful results. Try as many as you can and just see what you like!

I like using soft fuse interfacing and iron on the shapes. Then I finish the edges with button hole stitches. I really like the look of that style. However, I sometimes do needle-turn by hand too. Depends on the project. There is room for it all in my world.

Recently, I tried the Libby Lehman method where I drew the outline on the top fabric, basted the coordinating fabric underneath and then sewed through both layers on the drawn line. I had to be careful cutting the front fabric away to expose the backing fabric. The finish is a fancy stitch over the cut line. Easy-peasy.

I do needle turn applique. I make templates with laminate the way the Piece of Cake girls do. Very accurate. The project is very portable too.