Applique
 

Can I applique a small heart on a quilt without anything fancy? Just the heart itself? Or do I need the heat and bond paper (?) Not sure what that's called.

Absolutely. You do not have to use fusible web. There are several methods of applique: needleturn, where you cut out the shape and hand-sew it to the fabric, turning the seam allowance under with the needle as you go. Or you could use the template-and-starch method, where you use heat-resistant template plastic (or double layers of freezer paper) cut in your shape of choice, then press the seam allowance over the edge of the template. Or you could use the raw-edge applique method, where typically you'd fuse the applique piece to the fabric, then stitch around the shape using a blanket stitch or satin stitch. I've had success using washable school glue instead of fusible web. This way I can sew the applique patch on, then carefully pull apart the glued pieces and cut away the backing fabric.

Here is a series of how-to videos and instructions for applique, this quilter makes beautiful quilts. Hope this helps!

http://erinrussek.typepad.com/one-pi...lique-lessons/

sure, I would just do it.

Yes, LOL. Now - machine or hand appliqué? Machine applique, you might need a stabilizer on the back if the stitches pull. Try a couple of testers first, then add to quilt. You can use paper to stabilize, don't forget to remove the paper! Or heat and bond, use light weight, then trim close to the appliqué. If hand applique, you may not need a stabilizer. OK, Now I'm getting confused!!

Machine appliqué - may need a stabilizer, try a sample first
Hand appliqué - should not need one but might, try a sample first

For machine applique, you usually only need a stabilizer if you're going to use a heavy, dense stitch like satin stitch. For straight stitch or, say, a fairly open blanket stitch, you don't need anything.

For finished-edge applique, I press or baste raw edges under, pin or baste to the backing / quilt square, and sew either by machine or by hand. I have used fusibles but mostly don't care for them.

I would just a simple needle turn applique. Looks softer than using the fusible stabilizer.

There just are no easy answers are there - one question creates other questions. What method did you choose to do?

I've appliqued only a little, but here's two methods I've used. I've cut a shape out and used a glue stick to hold it in place while I zigzaged around it. Most glue sticks wash right out, but hold pretty good.

The other method was to applique a two or three inch letter A. I chose a font I liked in Word and printed the A out in a large size. I cut the paper letter out with an inch or so around it. Then I put the fabric for the A down on the other fabric and put the paper A on top of it all and pinned it all together. I stitched carefully around the edges of the paper letter A with a straight stitch, then tore the paper away. Then I used small scissors to cut just outside the stitches to form the fabric letter A. Finally I zigzagged around the letter. I read this method on the board.

Oh, and someone mentioned on here recently that you don't have set your machine to zigzag tightly, just zigzag around once and then go around again, if you want.

I would practice first.

Tate

I strongly second this. One of my very first quilts was an appliqued wall hanging. I did a satin stitch (tight zigzag) around a complex celtic knot. That sucker is so wavy I should bring it to ball games to do The Wave all by itself. :D

I love this board!