Applique Question
 

I am fairly new to quilting, but not a beginning sewer. I have found an appliqué wall hanging quilt that I plan to make. It measures 31 ½” x 40 ¾”. Instead of the appliqué pattern pieces being separate pieces, the pattern looks like a page that you would find in a coloring book. In other words, it is one big picture, and the lines in the picture are dark and solid.

I have already purchased my fabric, and I am excited to make my first quilt.

I plan to use a raw edge machine appliqué technique in which I will be using fusible web, as I think it will be the most forgiving for someone on a learning curve. My question is this; should I cut out each individual component of the picture (pattern) exactly along the outline and then join the fabric pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle, butting the raw edges against one another, and sewing along the edges of each pattern piece with a blanket stitch? Is this a correct method?

Yes, I understand that I should draw the outline of the design on my background fabric as a placement guide, folding the background fabric to find my center point. And yes, I understand how to use the fusible webbing.

I know that there are many different options for techniques with appliqué, and I would like to make sure that I am doing this correctly. So I would appreciate any helpful input or tips from those who are experienced in appliqué.

To use fusible web you cut the individual pieces out & then "layer" them onto your outline on your fabric. Trace around your template onto the fusible web paper. Try to get as many as possible onto each sheet of webbing. The very fine thin webbing works best.

I have done that and it caused me grief where two pieces came together because the blanket stitch only goes to one side. Now, I cut the piece that goes on the bottom just a bit bigger and overlap the top piece. That way I can do the blanket stitch in one direction AND I secure the bottom piece at the same time. Hope that makes sense.

Mdegenhart,

Thank you for responding. When you say trace them onto the fusible web paper and then layer them--do I need to leave any sort of seam allowance around the outline of the pattern? Sharon

Thank you Martina, for trying to help. There is a video of YouTube. "How to Machine Applique in a New Way; Fast Piece Applique--Martingale. The name of the woman in the video is Rose Hughes. Her technique uses freezer paper, and it looks like something to try. If anyone cares to take a look and tell me if this is something to consider, I would appreciate it.

If you're doing raw edge you don't need a seam allowance. I mean you start at the bottom and add the pieces, so that the stem is covered by the flower petals & there are different layers of petals, etc if it is a multi-piece applique. Like this one is a bunch of tiny pieces.[ATTACH=CONFIG]519524[/ATTACH]

Your pattern is not very helpful! Most applique involving pieces has some which will be on top and some which will tuck under and therefore need to be longer. This is a pattern I just received and made into a couple of tops; but first I wanted it oriented in this direction so I copied the reverse side. Then I numbered the pieces and drew little red dash lines where I wanted the pieces to go under and they needed to be longer. Now it is ready to trace the pieces onto the fusble web.

I think the most important tip is to use an open toe foot so you can see where every stitch is going.

First off, a big thank you to all you girls who are trying to help me! And a special thank you for the photos. I logged on just now to attempt to post some photos under "general chit chat", and I'm so glad I checked for messages here. Dms, I'll make sure that I use an open toed foot.

Now, I want to say to Debbie in MA, I love your dragon! Your photo is extremely helpful because it looks exactly the way my pattern looks. Based on your simple, but clear instructions, and based on everything I've been reading about applique', I think I understand how to proceed. And you're right, my instructions were not very clear. The designer led off by saying that she assumed that her audience had a basic knowledge of quilting--which I sort of do, but a little more info would have been very helpful. Pretty much, the instructions said, "Trace the pattern, cut it out, stitch it up and you're done." LOL But the pattern was just so stinkin' cute, I would have tried to make it even if it came without instructions...

Thanks again. I'll be posting a photo when this is finished. Wish me luck! Sharon

I don't know if anybody mention this, but you have to reverse you tracing because you are working on the back of the fabric, not the front. Be sure to layer your pieces. If you have one of those non stick pressing cloth, you can fuse pieces into a group. That just makes things a little easier. Here is a funky chicken applique I am currently working on.