Applique - tiny pieces
 

Here is the center of the wall hanging I am doing ... i still have all four borders to do.

There are over 450 teensy tiny pieces of applique that make up these flowers, leaves and stems. I am not really sure how I'll be able to applique some of these.

I have some ideas - but wanted to know if someone has already tried one of them - or has another idea

1 - use clear thread and do FMQ around the pieces, so the mistakes won't be as visible
2 - buy a piece of tulle? (I don't know if that is the right word) or really fine clear netting and place it over the top and do some FMQ on the pieces, but if I miss some, it's not a big deal?
3 - suck it up and do it all by machine in matching thread and never buy another pattern like this again

Your thoughts / comments are greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

Marion

I have no clue but it is very pretty.

There is a technique called "shadow quilting" using tulle to cover the small pieces. There are websites explaining the technique, never tried it myself though. Your work is really pretty.

#3 You will soon forget the pain!

Its a gorgeous piece and a great opportunity to play with thread and stitches.

#1 could be ok but it would just be an ok piece when finished. Just my opinions for you.

I used monofilament for applique once. It showed up more than I had anticipated.

Using tulle on top is a good option if it won't be handled -- as a wall hanging.

It is a beautiful applique. I'd take the time to make it spectacular. Have you considered buttonhole applique by hand?

I’m no expert of the best technique to use here but I wanted to tell you your wall hanging is very beautiful!

This looks like a Edyta Sitar pattern. She uses a small zigzag stitch with invisible thread around each piece.

Looks beautiful so far. We had a guild speaker a couple weeks ago and she zig zags around the pieces.

That is beautiful. When you get it completed, it deserves a prominent place for display in your home.

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!

Jim, When I'm done … you're on … but that might not be til summer!

All ready to go!

Wow! That's spectacular!

Have you decided how you will sew it down?

I'm appliqueing it all first, and there isn't really a lot of room for sewing it together, so probably just some outline echo and then a bit of highlights in the leaves / stems.

Wow this is really beautiful! Don't give up on it - you will have an incredibly interesting piece! Please post your progress as you work on it :)

I also did a Ryan McKenna quilt (actually it is hanging on my wall). Called Home in The Woods. I used mono filament thread and straight stitched around each piece. Your wall hanging is gorgeous and you will be glad you did when you finish it. I would do each piece separately (good advice to iron a lite weight fusible on the back of each piece first). Sew it together, sandwich, FMQ and it will be the work of art you planned it to be. Good luck!

Gorgeous progress on your applique project.

Thanks all ... It's all done except for the binding and the "extra embroidery" - the bird's beak, etc. As soon as I am done, I will post the grand finale!

Different colors of tulle change the colors of the appliqué differently, so do some previewing if you decide to use tulle. It's a lovely appliqué and you've done it beautifully. I find one of the best things about doing some projects and taking some classes is knowing that I don't want to do that again.

Water soluble stabilizer works
 

Are they fused onto the background. If they’re raw edge, I would have thought they’d be fused on and then stitched if it’s a light weight fusible. I’ll be following to see what the verdict is..

Very beautiful Work. You should be proud.

Wow, that’s gorgeous. Good luck! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it once you’re done.

I have a daunting project myself. I’ve taken to calling it “The 18 Years of Christmas.” Started out as 12 Days of Christmas back in 2002. The Partridge in the Pear Tree wasn’t bad (one partridge, 3 pears, 30+ leaves....) but now I’m up to 9 ladies dancing—that’s 9 faces, 18 eyes, 18 hands, 18 shoes, 9 dresses...and it only gets worse through the last ones (12 drummers, 24 hands, 24 drumsticks, 24 shoes, 12 pants, 12 shirts...) You’ve inspired me to start in on it again!

So far, I’ve done most of the appliqué with matching rayon thread around the edges, but as the pieces get smaller and smaller I have done some with invisible thread as well.