Applique for the non-applique-er
 

I have to applique two blocks to a finished quilt. (Don't ask....:shock:)

These blocks are semi-circles and I have "birthed" them, so there are no raw edges.

My question (Of many because I don't applique) is:

Is it better to applique them down...I'm planning to stitch them on by hand....before I do all the stitch in the ditch in the block?

Or, is it better to pin them where they need to go, do all the stitch in the ditch and then applique them down?

I'm leaning towards the second because all the SitD might change their size a bit? Maybe? Or would it be better to have them sewn on so the SitD doesn't distort the shape?

Also...what is a good thread for applique? Anything special?

I've called this quilt "Technical Difficulties" and now you all know why.

Thanks, Watson

I would applique it first and then stitch in the ditch. I have applique over many pieces of a log cabin old quilt to repair it and worked for me. It is my opinion anyways. Or you can try on a little space and see the result with your machine and skills.
Use the thinner cotton thread you can manage, and the color should be of the applique piece or silk thread if you could, sometimes silk is challenging because it tangles a lot.
good luck

Appliqué them on before sandwiching and quilting. That way you can quilt them when you are quilting the whole thing.

The quilt is already finished...quilted, bound, the whole nine yards.

Well...wish me luck. I have a feeling Jack and I are going to be real pals today.

Watson

I would applique them first.