Marion,

I forgot to mention the stitch. Do you still have the brother machine? Look at the utility stitches on the first page. There is a zig-zag that drops down instead of side to side. It may stitch # 1-06. You can shortened the width/length settings and get a finer stitch to go around the smaller pieces. Play with the width & length of this one. Make some samples of them on a scrap sandwich and mark with the settings.

I have been adding a light-weigh fusible to the background fabric for applique. It helps prevent puckers around the pieces. Pellon 101 works well.

Good luck on your project!

I have done many small pieces and recently I've been doing straight stitch on the edge per Karen Eckmeier and her pieces.
It's much easier then the zig zag and blanket stitches...Depending on the piece I use invisible or match to fabric which would and is allot of thread changes. Edge stitches just gives it a dif look that I love..

I used tulle one time on a quilt for the quilting and learned very quickly not to use a white tulle. It will drown out your quilt and make it very dull. Using a different color of tulle will allow all your colors to pop! of course on that white background it could be different I was working on a very colorful autumn background. So be sure if you are going to try this technique that you lay the different color of tulles over the top of your quilt first to see how it looks against your quilt. You will be surprised that a bit of color will make a big difference. I ended up using a black against mine. You couldn't even see it when the quilt was finished.

My first thought was to use Invisible Machine Applique - my preferred method of applique after I took a class on it years ago.
YLI invisible thread on top, cotton on the bottom, small blind hem type stitch adjusted to take a wee little bit into the applique fabric as you stitch very close to it.
Lovely piece! Good luck with whatever method you choose. =)
Donna Mc

That is going to be gorgeous when you get done. My friend uses a 90 or 100 weight thread to do a tiny zig zag around her applique. You have to be very close to the piece to see any of the thread. I am so looking forward to seeing your finished quilt.

That's a beautiful wall hanging! I hope the borders are pieced, not appliqued...

I would go with Option 1 - clear thread and faq around the pieces. I've done that with a couple McKenna Ryan applique patterns, and was satisfied with the results.

Nice looking project. I'm doing a Rob Appell reef scene, with a big shark, that's really busy with small pieces. I did option 3.........with the same feeling as you............I'd never do one again. Seemed like a good idea at the time. We should be down at the local tavern buying each other beers!

Jim

Thank you! I would consider anything by hand for about 5 seconds and immediately discard the idea!!!

Thanks, yes, I still have my brother - and it already all fused to the fabric … I'll look into that stitch … I'm really not too sure what I was thinking when I bought this pattern!

Nope! The borders are applique'd LOL … thanks!