Applique Work Please Help??
 

Can someone help me Please with how they are holding down their applique work? So I can Hand Sew it down I have a Coal Miner to applique down and i don't really know where to start.I even thought about going and buying some Wonder Under to hold it to the other material.Can you give you're thoughts on this.Thanks In Advance Blessings

If it's hand applique, I secure my pieces with a dot or 2 of glue or a pin. Glue is easier and it won't get in the way of your stitching. Lots of kinds of glue they use from Kids school glue to a Roxannes Glue Baste-it. If you have never applique, watch a couple of u tube video s.

I like to use glue but also have used the small appliqué pins. (They are about 1/2 inch long) Depending on the size of the piece I am appliquéing I would glue it down and after it dries put in a few well places pins, just to keep it from coming unglued.

That's what I do too. A lot depends on the shape of the applique.

I tried to edit my post but it won't let me so here is an addition: When you use the glue, make sure that you don't put any glue dots in the seam allowance. (Ask me why I make a point of this, lol). Since most seam allowance is 1/4" or less, I'd say to place the glue about 1/2" from the edge and you'll be fine. Also, you don't need a lot of glue. I like Roxanne's Glue Baste because it comes with a fabulous long tip that allows placement of the dots with great precision.

Agree, if inexperienced, fusing may work best. If you need this for something soon. You can view on-line videos and practice at your leisure for future projects.

For needle turn applique, I use applique pins.
For turned edge applique, I used Roxanne's Glue Baste-It.
For fused applique, I use Misty Fuse or Pellon 805 (except for wool applique, when I use Heat & Bond). The one thing to keep in mind with fusible is that it gets stiffer the longer it sits on the fabric, so you want to apply it as close to when you are actually going to be stitching it as possible.

you're going to needle turn? I use either washable glue or a snip of Misty Fuse to hold it down.

I use tiny dots of Elmer's washable school glue. Washable means it will wash out and not leave any residue or stain, and it's easy enough to pull the backing apart and cut it away after sewing the applique on.

I got tired of poking myself with pins, or getting my thread caught around a pin.

I have a cone of white cheapie serger thread that I use to baste down applique pieces. Make the stitches about a quarter inch inside the outer edge so there is room to needle turn the seam. Once in a while I'll use an applique pin on a small piece, but I prefer to baste. The thread is cheap and with a few snips it pulls out and gets thrown out. Worth the time for me since I like the results.

I learned to do needle turn applique by placing my applique pins on the underside of the shape I was attaching. That way the thread did not get caught on the pins. I did the Baltimore Album applique. I really enjoyed it. Gluing is OK but usually adds a bit of stiffness. And, on items that will not be washed, there is the question of how it will age.

Glue sticks work really well.

Here is an odd thing to do, but I use it a lot:

I machine baste or hand baste the piece down. Baste about a 1/4 inch from inside sewing line. I like to do this because it's fast, I don't need to wait for the glue to dry and your thread won't get tangled on the pins. When finished, just take the basting out. If you are hand basting, you can use any kind of thread although my favorite thread to use is a bright colored quilting thread, as it is easier to see and the thickness holds the piece down better. You can use this method whether you are doing needle turn or the one with the freezer paper.

I learned this method from Jeanna Kimball. However, the way she does it is to draw the pattern to the wrong side of the fabric, puts the piece that she is appliqueing on the other side and bastes down on the lines. Then she sews it from the front, taking out the basting stitches as she sews it. This is my favorite way to applique by hand.

I always use wonder under on mine. Has always worked well for me.

This is similar to what JustAbitCrazy stated. I have seen this also. What is also great about this technique, you can place all your pieces and applique later. No glue to worry about. No pins to put holes in the center.

I use 1/4" Wonder Tape. A little strip of it holds and it dissolves in water, no heat needed to secure it. Love this stuff.

I use a glue stick:)

I love ROxannes glue baste it. Best stuff there is in my opinion. I also use kids school glue sticks. Don't put glue where you want to sew.