Applique Questions
 

I belong to a Small Quilt group on Facebook that has monthly challenges and mystery quilts. The piece I am currently working on has applique in the final border. I have done Machine applique and raw edge applique before but have never been happy with the outcome, so I have been watching Youtube and have been working on Needle Turn Applique today.

So ... here is my question to all you ladies that do Needle Turn - What needles and thread do you use and why? I used a "basic needle" but I found it was not thin or sharp enough (imho) and I used a coordinating thread from my stash of machine embroidery thread which seemed to work OK as it was thinner than my cotton thread. My hearts and flowers came out OK - not perfect but my leaves were questionable lol.

Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated - I might as well learn something new in these "stay at home" times https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png.

I use silk thread when I do needle turn applique. It seems to sink in and blend in well. Other than that, I think it's a skill that improves with practice....

GEMRM - do you use a coordinated color thread or a neutral color?

I use beige silk thread for needle turn. It easily slips out of the needle eye, so you have to give it a one hitch tie. I use a small sharps needle.

one hitch tie
 

What is a one hitch tie? I may need this as I am always having to rethread my needle with silk thread.

just tie it once. I wanted to make sure you didn't double tie it.

I use Aurifil 80 weight the color of the piece I am appliquing- have used silk as well - thread cost can add up if you are appliquing a lot of different colors so I can understand using beige for all colors.

This is another time where I use Glide threads. I try to match the color to the piece am stitching. The lighter weight threads that are so strong are great.Going slow and trying not to twist your thread will help a great deal. It takes a great deal of practice to get what you want. I am right now working on some Sun Bonnet Sue blocks and they are going very slowly so I don't mess up. I am doing needle turn for these blocks. I am grateful there are not to many sharp points. I am working on this while I lay in bed watching TV at night. Best of luck. You will get it!

I use Tulip Applique needles size 10. I love these needles, they glide through the fabric like a hot knife through butter.
http://en.tulip-japan.co.jp/handstitch/

For thread, I bought a donut of Bottom Line bobbins. It's a very fine 60 wt thread and sinks into the fabric like silk does, but for the price of 3 or 4 spools of silk, I get a rainbow of 35 colors to choose from.
https://www.superiorthreads.com/superbobs-donut

Thanks everyone for your input. I finished my project (I will post a pic later today). I ended up trying a variety of needles that I had in house (as my LQS is obviously not open) as well as a couple of techniques. I first tried using a template and starch but all I had for template material was card stock. I kind of worked (lol) but I really liked the results I got from needle turn. My hearts were not perfect but look good from a distance. I just first grabbed a "between" that I had stuck into my pin cushion but after reading your posts I went digging through all my stuff and found a Straw needle sz 11 that worked nicely.

I have never seen Tulip needles - I will have to check them out. I did go online and order a neutral set of silk threads from Superior. And Peckish - David Taylor lives the next town over. I have known several gals who have taken a class with him. I might have to look into it if I continue to play with this!!

Again - Thanks for your help.

So, here are the final applique pieces. Far from perfect but not too bad for a first whack at it. The leaves I did with a light fusible and that turned out to be more hassle than it was worth. The hearts are needle turn and are not as "smooth" around the curves as I had hoped they would be, but I am sure that will take practice. Thanks again

Not bad at all. Don't know if mine are any better and I have been at it for a few years!

nicely done

I use a Roxanne applique needle, but plan to try the Tulip needles. I match my thread to the piece being appliqued and use Superior Threads Masterpiece bobbins (they sell the older 2-ply Masterpiece thread on bobbins for applique), or their silk thread.

I highly recommend the Piece 'O Cake ladies books or tutorials. They give very detailed instructions on needle-turn.

Thanks - I will have to look into that book. I actually tried to purchase those bobbins but they were out so I ordered the silk thread. I will try that for the next go around but will keep an eye out for those bobbins if the silk doesn't work for me. We will see - lol - this is all new to me!!

I was self taught years before the internet for guidance. I used what I had, and found that a beading needle worked great...it has just enough flex in it to work for me. I have tried other needles over the years, and always go back to the beading needle. I find the regular applique needles are just too short for me to get used to.
Another tip..when pulling your thread though to the top of the fabric, place your thumb on top of thread as it is coming through..you will rarely get a knot or tangle this way.

Thanks - never thought of using a beading needle ....I will kept that thought for the next time I try applique. Great advice also about the thumb on the thread - I do that when I am doing bindings. Here goes my admission of guilt - lol - I always cut my thread way too long because I am lazy and if I do not use the thumb trick it always knots.

I'm grateful for this thread (ha pun) and needle references! -I'm nearing the end of a quilt and I really want to applique some bits on the top after it's pieced. I've a few appropriate needles but I'll need to get a lighter weight thread, for sure. Glad I read this! Eparys, your work looks wonderful, and is encouraging for me! :)

I like the John James betweens #11. I thought that I would like the appliqué needles but find them too short. The longer needles really help with the turning process. I’ve tried out many different threads. Any thinner thread will do a good job and stay hidden well but I like Mettler 60/2 best. The silk thread drove me crazy. I’ve recently started doing reverse appliqué and absolutely doing it. Also, I want to encourage everyone new to appliqué that it really does get better with practice
Vicki in Colorado

Applique method
 

If the border applique is not small and intricate, you can always use a lightweight interfacing and sew fabric to it, cut through thinner facing and turn your applique inside out. You can either leave the interfacing in or trim to quarter inch....place on border and hand stitch in place. Just a thought.