Applique' question, and lessons learned...
 

Ok, first the question. Doing machine blanket stitch on raw edge... do I get all the different colored threads to match the colors on the applique? Or just use a neutral?

Things I learned for appliqué - hate Misty Mate, much more prefer the stuff already ON the paper! Don't use the iron on fabric with the Misty Mate or it will get on (and RUIN) the iron. Also don't use it on the ironing board or it will get on (and RUIN) the pad! Put the preferred Steam a seam on the WRONG side of the fabric and PRESS the fabric on the other fabric, don't swipe, or it will roll. Use pencil, not ink or the ink will disappear off the parchment paper, and tape doesn't hold the to it either. Next is machine blanket stitch. Pray for me. Lol

I've never done blanket stitch by machine, only by hand after I've machined down the raw edge piece with clear poly thread. In that respect it was easy for me to switch thread colors to match if I wanted to.

I've done blanket stitch where I used black for the whole project and I've done it where I used matching or as close to matching as I can get. If you use black it becomes an added design element. If you use matching you don't notice it much. It's your creative decision.

The iron isn't ruined, it can be cleaned.

I switched from zig-zag (see my avatar for 1st appliqué) to blanket stitch which I much prefer. I use a polyester or rayon the same colour as the appliqué. On the quilt below (2nd applique project) I used one pink, two greens, a brown, a red and a couple of orange/yellows.
Happy blanketing!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]373902[/ATTACH]
(I put this picture on another post, but don't know how to do a link - sorry!)

I love using machine blanket stitch. I usually use black thread for mine as I like the extra design factor.It's easier than having to change colors for all the small pieces especially on Sunbonnet quilts. I have also used the black on hand blanket stitched quilts. Your quilt is absolutely beautiful.

I think I'll try a practice run with black then, on my practice applique piece. How do you clean the iron?

WOW that's super pretty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great work! A LOT of work!

Don't forget to try different stitch lengths to see which looks best for your project! You can adjust how long the stitch is going over the edge and how far apart the sideways stitches are. I just used hot iron cleaner I found in the iron aisle at Wal-Mart.

Ok Ill check for it! I was looking at some of the pieces... They totally vary, some being large, some being tiny. Do i adjust for each piece or just go with the smallest and make it uniform?? Its a shield.

i've used all black and also all beige. i do like the beige the best.

I think you mean Misty Fuse? You can add paper to Misty Fuse. Iron it between two sheets of parchment paper, then peel off one of the sheets. Voila!

Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser takes fusible gunk off irons. Ask me how I know. :eek:

Can't believe you chose such an enormous project for your second ever applique project! (It's amazing!)

I do believe that the QB is full of over-achievers!

Thanks for the hint. I just did some applique tonight and switched to a blanket stitch! Thanks for the advice.

I loved every minute of it! I find the whole process extremely relaxing. I can't wait to start my next one. Points however are a different story.......

Oh ain't that the truth!

I do needle turn applique, and find it tremendously relaxing...and I wrestle with points every time!

Alison

I was going to say that you use parchment paper with Mystyfuse because it doesn't come with paper. You have to put paper on one side. I read the directions online about it because I was confused when it arrived and saw that it was just fusible material. I knew I couldn't use it like that. I like the Steam a Seam Lite 2 best anyway, too.

I love using the blanket stitch for machine appliqué. On the quilt I am starting this month, I will match the thread with the fabric. I know this will take a long time; but I think the effort will be worth it on this particular quilt.

Haha, yeah Misty Fuse. My bad. Lol. I did that though!! Went through all the darn tedious tracing only when I separated the papers, the mf stuc to BOTH pieces!!

Lol!! Ill totally try that!! I love those things!!

I like to do mine using all black. I don't change the stitch length or width for each piece. I just choose one that I think looks good with whatever I'm working on and go for it. Isn't it fun getting what you want to do for your own creative processes?

Oh, my. You have to remove the first paper while it's still warm. The other side comes off after you fuse to fabric, again while the Misty Fuse is still warm.

I'm fairly new to quilting, but I've done a few applique projects. Here are some of my thoughts as I've learned so far:
My machine has a blanket stitch and an applique stitch. The applique stitch looks similar to blanket, but the result is a little better looking. The downside is that it's more limited on stitch width and length compared to the blanket stitch.
I do vary my width & length based on the size of the applique piece.
Also, I change my thread color to match or coordinate with the applique piece. I've also used varigated thread on applique with good results. Depending on the piece I like using a shiny rayon, or else I use a standard poly.
Someday I'd like to learn needle turn, but for now I'm enjoying the heck out of machine applique...

Seriously?! Oooohhhh!!!! I had looked up a tutorial on you tube on how to use it and the said to let it cool! Lol! Ok, im going to try it just for the sake of trying it to see if that works for me!

Batapli how do you know the difference from the stitches on the machine??

I do switch out some of the colors, but there are times when I will use a different color thread than the applique piece. I learned from longarming that thread changes color (just like fabric), depending on what you put it with. i.e. sometimes red and brown interchange well..... I lay the thread across the applique piece and see if it is the look I am going for.

Regarding stitch: sometimes I zig-zag (my least favorite). Sometimes I blanket stitch. Sometimes I use the blind hem stitch. Sometimes...I even do it by HAND! LOL Love doing hand work!

Using a contrasting thread is nice when you are looking for a primative style quilt. I like it.
Using a matching thread is nice when you don't want the stitches to show (beautiful quilt kintteck)
Using monofilament thread (clear plastic) is something I'm only fond of if its not going to be a bed peice or a wall piece (a purse maybe) For me I can see the thread shine (sulky's monofilament has a bit of a duller shine and preferrable) If your pieices are dark there is black monofilament to use.
I prefer the applique stitch for most of my applique. I have however been known to use free motion zigzag

I don't know how this works, but someone on here a while back had written a tip about using a piece of parchment for cooking under your work and another piece on top of the fabric to be appliqued when using stitch wichery or other fusible to applique. It sounded like a great idea. That way it doesn't ruin your pad and would be hard pressed to roll on you as you glide over it with the iron.

On the machine, it has the stitch selections and the applique stitch goes to the left and the blanket stitch goes to the right. There is a little more spacing on the applique stitch, and it looks a little bigger. I looked them up in the machine manual and it specified them as applique / blanket. I tried them both and I like the look of the applique stitch better, but the stitch width/length is more limited so for small pieces it doesn't work as well. I just have a cheapy Brother that I bought from Costco a few years ago to see if I would like sewing.
That probably more than answers your question. lol

I bet I have that, I think I tried it but it was soooo small. Im going to pull out my manual. Lol, when all else fails pull out the manual right!? Lol!!

In the old days, they used black to blanket stitch applique. But it's your quilt. You can use whatever you like; i.e. matching to applique piece or all one color whether it be white, black, red or whatever!

You do whatever you want. I think sometimes using a black thread makes it look more,'primitive' but that would depend on the design. I generally use a thread that coordinates rather than matches perfectly, because if I am going to go to the trouble of doing a decorative stitch, I want it to show up - even a little!

knitette- Did you turn the edges on the applique or leave them raw and to the blanket stitch over them? I haven't fooled with applique since a class with Nancy Pearson in the late '80s and I'd like to try some. however, I have a friend who uses the steam a seam method with raw edges and I"m not sure I'm sold on that for non-wall hanging quilts. What are your thoughts?

What a beautiful quilt!

It depends on the result that I desire whether I want it to blend with the applique or present more pow to the design. i've done it both ways, I prefer softer dark browns tho.

Your doing great!

I only use matching thread, but I have no trouble mixing satin stitch and blanket stitch in the same quilt. This quilt has both. [ATTACH=CONFIG]374425[/ATTACH] I'm waiting to see how my daughter's blanket stitched flowers hold up in the laundry. I know the satin stitch wears like iron.

Another option is your fancy stitches in contrasting colors for a design effect. Sometimes two or three different stitches along side each other will give flowers a whole new dimension- also leaves. Try it for the texture on tree bark, scales on dragons or fish, etc.

I totally love doing the blanket stitching using a variegated thread.

For applique, I use Heat n Bond Lite. I buy it @ WalMart in the PURPLE package... Apparently there is also a similar product out there called WonderUnder.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]374459[/ATTACH]Heat N Bond Lite
[ATTACH=CONFIG]374460[/ATTACH]SEWABLE(hence the pic of the sewing machine)
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[ATTACH=CONFIG]374462[/ATTACH] No pinning needed!!

Is heat bond similar to steam a aeam?