Applique questions
 

I've never appliqued before but am going to take a stab at it with some small pillows for Christmas gifts. The pattern I'm using has 10 different pieces to cut out. Already I'm stuck with what is probably a very stupid question!! How do I cut these out? Are there special scissors? Cutting out clothes for my paper dolls was never one of my strong points and I don't imagine I'll do much better with these.

Another question. After cutting out, what is the best way to trace? Paper seems so flimsy. The directions say to use paper or card stock. I'm not sure what card stock is other than it must be thicker than paper, but how much thicker? Do I copy the pieces onto "card stock"and from there trace around the pieces onto the fabric?

I feel silly asking what are probably very simple questions but I have to start somewhere.

there are many techniques for applique. i believe needle turn is the most traditional. then i learned to use freezer paper. these days, it seems there is a lot of raw edge applique. here is a link to some youtube videos showing the different methods. the first one says it is for beginners. :) if i were you, i'd take some simple shapes... circles or small strips and try the different methods to see what you like the best. keep us updated on your progress. https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...w=1030&bih=754

Is it fusible applique? Or turned edge applique? The cutting out is different for the two types. If you have a link to the pattern, that might help us give appropriate advice. I agree that it would be very helpful for you to check out YouTube videos.

Fusible applique that is machine stitched down is the quickest way to do applique. Needle turn is a great skill to have but can take time to do. If it's fusible then you will trace it onto the fusible. Can you show us the pattern so we can help more?

Thank you for your help. I've taken a look at some of the youtube videos. It definitely helps to see someone doing it. I bought the pattern because it said beginner and the comments said it was very easy. haha!! Maybe for them! I think I am one of those learners who has to see rather than read. The directions that came with this include both machine (no folding edges under) and hand applique. Is needle turn the same as machine? I'm going to do machine. I'd like to do hand but not enough time between now and Christmas. I went to JoAnn this morning and got a good deal on 3 different kinds of interface and pillow forms (40% off, plus my coupon for an additional 25% off). Came home and realized I forgot to get muslin for another project. Oh well.

Here is a picture of what I hope to applique. This is a mug but I'm doing as a pillow instead.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4893027...=sr_gallery_31

Needleturn can be done either by hand or machine. It just means that the fabric is turned under around the edges. Raw edge can also be done either by hand or machine. Raw edge means there is no fabric turned under; the edge is simply cut.

Probably what you are wanting to do is fusible applique with a raw edge. This is the easiest. The edges do fray a bit with washings, but that is an expected look for raw edge fusible applique. You can do the stitching along the edges by hand or machine. Hand sewing through a fusible can be difficult, so most fusible applique is done by machine.

If you want the stitch to look like the one in the photo, you will need to do some experimenting with your machine. When I did this type of stitch on my Bernina 1230, I used a reverse blanket stitch and threaded my machine with 2 spools of black thread (treating both threads as if they were one when I was threading the machine). Doubling the thread made the stitch show up better. If you post the brand and model of your machine, someone here may be able to give you hints that apply to your machine.

If the picture will not be washed, you could even skip stitching and just mark the stitches with black permanent marker! If you do this, you could then machine straight stitch (quilt) around the outlines to achieve dimensionality.

You mentioned buying interfacing. Interfacing usually has just one side that is fusible. You can use interfacing with the Eleanor Burns method of applique (sew right side of fabric to interfacing, then slit the interfacing and turn the piece so the fabric has a lining made of interfacing), but most fusible applique using double-sided fusibles.

So you are making a pillow?

If you want the look of needle turn applique, but find as I did, that it is just too fiddly for you, here is a tutorial I did to show how I make applique work for me. Hope it is helpful yo you.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutori...d-t240526.html

Wow Meadow, it that is your first appliqué, you did a splendid job. I, too, am just learning appliqué and have found many helpful YouTube videos and helpful tutorials.

Thank you Madamekelly for the QB link...

Jan Pateks video on you tube is awesome!

Invisible Machine Applique would work on this project. You use Freezer Paper as your pattern. Turn the edges over & make them stick w/ a dab of glue stick. Then stitch the pieces together/down. Your picture shows a blanket stitch being used. Check out some youtube guides on IMA - I really enjoy it & the results are great.
Good Luck!
Donna Mc

I have been using applique for years, mostly fusible. I recently took a class from Laurie Miller on wool applique. I'm anxious to finish my first piece, it is much easier. No fusing, or needle turning. Love the wool fabric.

The Piece O' Cake ladies suggest putting the cut out applique piece on some laminate sheeting. This serves in place of tracing the shape on plastic or card stock; the piece is then thick enough to trace around on the fabric.

I too bought a pattern for applique that said Novice, however it did say for someone who has taken a basic quilt making course which I have not. Well, I sure destroyed some fabric even though I tried to follow their directions. Therefore I am going back to my very old standby book, called " The Sampler Quilt" by Diane Leone which I should have done in the first place. Years ago I made a small quilt top enough to be a cover for my sewing machine. Her book is fantastic. I will be following her directions for an applique block by cutting out the applique pattern on plastic quilting templates. Good luck with your first applique and wish me luck!

There is NO stupid or simple question! Do not be afraid to ask questions! I wish I had had this group of knowledgeable friends when I was learning back in the day. We are so fortunate to have this group of folks who so selflessly share their accumulated knowledge to help the rest of us.

I have done quite a bit of applique -- all as baby quilts -- primarily Sunbonnet Sue, some done using purchased applique pieces. I make the machine-stitched raw edge applique pieces. I am still the "Official Rank Amateur" when it comes to making quilts, etc., so I'm not comfortable giving advice. The process is NOT terribly difficult, but it is time consuming. I am working on a quilt now that is applique, and I think it's really going to be a pretty quilt. I'm sure you will find lots of help on this site. Please be sure to post pictures of your projects!