Applique Stitch Question
 

I am new here with a question. I am working on a blanket for a new baby, and the pieces are appliqued. Is it better to use a blanket stitch or a zig zag? Will one hold up better to being washed many times, as baby quilts often are?

Welcome ... Grinch ... how seasonal of you to choose that name! :)

It's really your personal preference.
As much as some will tell you that you should use a blanket stitch,
many will tell you that a zig-zag is the way to go!
Another factor to consider is how close together your stitches are,
and how deeply they go into the appliqued fabric.
Then, there is always the double stitched zig-zag or blanket stitches to consider.
Also, a full on satin stitch to consider as well.

You didn't say whether you are doing raw edge applique or turned applique.
That would make a difference re the hold-up-ability when laundered,
no matter which type of stitching you choose.


All this being said, you might want to do a test piece with the same fabrics, and applique methods you are using on your quilt. Try the different stitching options and make your decision. Then launder it a bunch of times!

And always keep in mind .... it's your quilt, and you need to do it the way you want to do!!!

I use the satin stitch if it is an item that is going to see a lot of use, but blanket or zig zag for wall hangings. Have fun, applique is such a fun technique.

Ha! I couldn't find a name that wasn't taken, and my daughter suggested it. Can you guess what she was watching?

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I appreciate it. I am tempted to do the blanket stitch since my son said it looked like tracks and the quilt is a train theme. I will have to play and see how well it holds up to the washing machine.

Though you didn't many responses, Grinch, I think the advice you've received is excellent.

I'm sure that I have nothing to add!

Smart Kids!! :) .... daughter for your screen name and son for seeing train tracks in the blanket stitch!

If you want to really impress your son, check your stitches and see if you have a double sided blanket stitch. Mine has that one, and it comes in quite handy at times. Run two of those side by side and you really would have train tracks ..... and those appliques would be nailed down for sure! It'd be a little tricky to get them to run in sync, but you could make it work in the odd spot, I am sure!

Good Luck!

I've read at least one post on this board about satin stitches perforating the applique to the extent it detaches. Not sure why that's so, but it has caused me to stop doing it that way.

How about straight stitch applique? Turn the edges under (several ways possible) and just top-stitch around the applique edge. Use 40-wght thread if you want the stitches to show up like topstitching. Very durable, in my experience.

hugs,
Charlotte

Do a blanket stitch then do a straight stitch along the open edge of the blanket stitch to create a train track. You'd make your son happy with the train tracks and the extra stitching would make the appliqué more secure.

Kind of like this, but of course the stitches would connect.

(2) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
(1) | _|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|

What a great idea! I love the double-blanket stitch looking like a train track. I am going to try that. Y'all are brilliant!

I am happy I decided to join so I could ask!

I generally use the blanket stitch and have not had any complaints/feedback about it not holding up. A lot depends on how wide you set the stitch and how deep a bite you take into the fabric.

I do both depending on the look I am going for but find that I often have trouble when doing a satin stitch if I use my usual 100% cotton thread. Using poly...no problem. It may be just me or my machine, but thought I would mention it. If your thread shreds when doing satin, try poly.

Welcome to the QB...you're gonna love the friendly, talented folks here.

Cotton thread isn't strong enough for satin stitching. I like using rayon thread for satin stitching (if your JAF has a Viking center, you can find rayon thread there). Poly thread also works. Do keep in mind that if you are doing satin stitching, you will need a stabilizer, or else the line of stitching will sink into the fabric like a gully & may even cause wrinkles in your quilt.
The one thing about rayon & poly threads is that they will melt with a hot iron (ask me how I know), so if it's too wrinkly, be sure to iron on low... although, usually I find the wrinkles don't come out as it means I didn't use enough stabilizer to support the stitching. Now, on the rare occasion that I do satin stitching, I do it on individual pieces, rather than once my quilt has been put together. That way, if I find I should have added a second layer of stabilizer, I can do so more easily. Bosal makes a great 100% cotton stabilizer. Otherwise, Pellon 360 or 806 have worked for me in the past. Those are tear-away stabilizers.

Bree, you are so knowledgeable that I hesitate to disagree, but I use 60 weight cotton(Mettler) to satin stitch, per Harriet Hargrave, and it works out well. Aurifil 50 looks very similar (and is of a similar strength, in my experience.) Both make beautiful satinstitching that lies flat and even. And lasts well with steam-a-seam or similar around the edge, at least for me. I use a fairly narrow satin stitch, if that makes any difference.

Hugs,
Charlotte