Applique question.
 

I am in the process of teaching myself applique. I have three books and have also been watching youtube videos.

My question: Do you use embroidery hoops when you stitch down your applique pieces? One of my books have embroidery hoops listed on the "tools" page, but other than that I haven't seen or read of anyone using embroidery hoops.

Any answers for those who applique will be appreciated. :)

Gayle

I've done a whole lot of fusible machine applique and I've never used a hoop. I don't use stabilizers either but I don't do satin stitch.

I do needleturn applique and have never used a hoop and never had any problems, I think using a hoop would be difficult as you may not get the tension correct on the fabric you are appliqueing to you could end up with the patch 'bubbling' up. I don't use any stabilisers either or starch unless the pieces are very small.

Never used a hoop. I use stabiliser and blanket stitch (see my avatar), very occasionally, a zig-zag stitch.

I don't like working with a hoop, but my machine dealer recommends using them.

Applique inch by hand I never use a hoop and at present not using a stabiliser. When I have finished block I starch and press. I tend to scrunch the piece in my hand while sewing and it always looks terrible when finished. This is a finished reverse applique done this way.

I do alot of applique by hand annd ma hine. Never use a hoop. Just strip piecedeaster eggs and pinned them xown then did a zig zag. No heat n bond, or anything. Then again, itspast 3 am and joanns is out, so i had to wing it. Small pcs, i stick down with a bond. Hand i pin down.

I have done it both ways and I think my hand applique looks better when I use a hoop. I find that when I get the puckering it's when I'm not using the hoop. My fabric is in the hoop taut, not stretched and the nicely starched applique piece stays in place with one little dot of glue and no stabilizer. I've never done reverse applique so I can't speak to that. I've never been able to do machine applique that looked nice so I'm a hand applique kinda girl :D.

No hoop here, either. Just a dot of glue, a toothpick to tuck in the wild threads, YLI silk threads and needle turn. That's my way.

I never use a hoop for any type of applique, and I have done, freezer paper method, needle turn, and fusible with hand buttonhole stitch, I also do alot of hand embroidery and have never used a hoop.

I'm with the no-hoop crowd. I do hand applique like a fiend and have never used a hoop. When I do embroidery or cross-stitch by hand, I always hoop. I think I would find it awkward to keep having to move a hoop plus awkward to use in applique work. JMHO

Ditto for me. I have discovered starching the background fabric helps.

Same with me. I am now working on a redwork block. The instructions say to use a hoop. I tried the hoop for a few stitches; but was most comfortable not using it. I think my embroidery looks great without a hoop and, for me, it is so much easier. When I use a satin stitch or a buttonhole stitch on my machine, I do use a stabilizer.

Nope! Never used one!

me too. i usually use the blanket stitch

I am just starting to do needle turned applique. I do not use a hoop.

I love applique and do it all by hand and never used a hoop with applique. I don't think it would allow you to hold the fabric correctly to be able to applique. I don't like the flat look of machine applique, its not for me. I have tried all applique methods but what works best for me is to trace around your applique piece. There are a few good white mechanical pencils available which are great for tracing, they make a good thin line to work with. I baste the applique piece to the background fabric. By doing this, you do not have to work around pins or freezer paper curling off. I also always applique using a flat toothpick. I keep in my mouth and use it to turn the fabric under. By it being wet, it makes it easier to grab the fabric and turn it under. I find it much easier than using a needle. Good luck!

Hi Gayle,

I have taught hand quilting and I love doing applique. Just remember that books are helps for us. We all have to find a way to do it on our own. I will tell you about my experience. I found out that I hate using hoops to do applique. I use old cereal boxes or cracker boxes. I cut my pieces to be appliqued out of those boxes, then I put that on my fabric and cut a smidgen more than 1/4 inch away from the outside edge .You need a little extra fabric to turn around the cereal box. Then I use non-aerosol spray starch and spray the seam allowance and then I iron the seam of fabric around the cereal box. Then I take the cereal box out and I pin my applique piece in place on my quilt. The piece is all turned under and it has some starch in it so it is a little stiff. Also, it has some height because of the thickness of the cereal box. I simply put a pin in the center of my applique piece and then I applique the piece down. If I were you, I would make some pieces to practice with before you actually start your project. Happy appliqueing!

I used a hoop for any hand applique, but with my machine I have found the easiest thing to do is fuse the fabric together (Steam a Seam Lite has worked well, and Heat Bond) and then use a satin stitch all the way around the edges. I would use a fancier stitch, but I have the most basic of machines. When I do any hand work, the blanket stitch works really well!

I used a hoop for any hand applique, but with my machine I have found the easiest thing to do is fuse the fabric together (Steam a Seam Lite has worked well, and Heat Bond) and then use a satin stitch all the way around the edges. I would use a fancier stitch, but I have the most basic of machines. When I do any hand work, the blanket stitch works really well!

There isn't a hoop around big enough for my appliqué! I fuse it down, but am going to try glue next time. Then satin stitch or blanket stitch. I'm not even sure you could call what I do appliqué though since it's so big. Sometimes I use stabilizer, sometimes not. I always test with the fabric I'm using first. The Chick in this photo is 20x28 inches.