I love applique. I see beautiful applique quilts and want to make one. I have bought a few applique technique books over the years. I have read through them, but that is as far as it goes. I am left confused. I know that there are two kinds of applique, hand and machine, but when I see applique patterns and the designer says, "Use your preferred method," that is where the confusion comes in.
Here are my questions:
What are the different ways to get applique pieces on fabric and
How does one know which one to use.
Thank you

Hi Joan,

This is a big subject! People have written books on the various methods of doing applique. One of my favorite books is by Harriet Hargrave, Mastering Machine Applique: The Complete Guide. This book has been out awhile, you might check at your local library. I learned alot about sewing in general from her book

Also, national award-winning quilter Sharon Schamber has classes onlline, including some FREE classes. I noticed in her free section there is a video on raw edge applique as well as turned edge applique. Perhaps watching those would get you started. Here's the link:
http://sharonschambernetwork.com/Classes.aspx

Thank you Connie
I will check out the Hargrave book, and sharon's site.

thanks for the link

I'm a traditional Baltimore style appliquer, if there is such a thing. I like the needle turn method.
I love the Elly Sienkiewicz books and started with her Baltimore Beauties and Beyond. Just start with the first lesson in the book and stitch away.

There are several little videos and tutorials on the internet and you might catch some of the newest ideas and methods that way.

I ran through a list of books on Amazon and bought a low price used book on appliques for a friend. Something like 12 ways to do applique. I didn't fall in love with any of the patterns but if it explaned how the different kinds were done that would be enough for my friend to look at and read.

I like Eleanor Burns' method. She uses fusible interfacing to turn the edges under.

I have done the Heat and Bond method and then machine sew around it. That works well, too.

I'm way too lazy for needle turn.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I really want to learn how and I know it takes some thought and practice.

I do needle turn, "Piece of Cake" by Beck Goldsmith and ??? sorry drawing a blank on her partner.
They have several books on the subject.

I also love to do hand applique and have a number of books, the one I have found to be the most informative is "12 Ways To Applique" by Elly Seinkeiwicz. She teaches 12 different methods, includes patterns for projects and the best method to use not only for the pattern but for each element within the pattern. You won't be dissappointed with this one. I also have "Applique The Piece O'Cake Way" which is not nearly as informative, it's ok, but for a first book i highly reccomend "12 Ways..." I don't think you will be disappointed.
Have fun!!

ctquilter, thank you for the information on the book by Ellie S. I think I may have to add that one to my collection.

brushandthimble, you are welcome. I think you will be very happy with it.

My favorite book on machine applique methods is Harriet Hargrave's. Here is a link to it:

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mach.../dp/157120136X

when I taught quilting and applique (eons ago), I did a 4-block "sampler" of applique, using the following techniques: needle-turn, machine satin stitch, freezer paper, and machine "invisible" w/hem stitch. We used 4 different blocks, similar in style, but varied enough that they looked nice together. Each lesson was 2 weeks long: the first week we learned the technique and got started on it, and the second week was for refining that technique and finishing the block. The class was 10 weeks (sessions) long, because we needed to set the blocks together and put a border around them. When finished, each student had a nice 4-block wall quilt to hang that showed the different techniques.

There are other techniques to learn, too, but this was a great introduction for anyone who wanted to learn applique. I'd suggest trying something like this for yourself, as you will learn a lot and discover a) whether you like applique; b) what technique you like to do; c) how much work it is/how long it takes.

Just jump in! The water's fine! And we're here to help.

Odessa

Odessa
Thank you for that wonderful suggestion. I was thinking of doing something like that, taking a heart, for example, and using some of the different applique techniques to make several heart blocks.

Here are my questions:
What are the different ways to get applique pieces on fabric and
How does one know which one to use.

I believe it has to do with how much time you want to invest in something.

Machine applique goes quick. Put fusible on the back of applique piece, iron onto material and then decorative stitch around it.

Needle turn (the one I use most often) takes much longer. Its not something quick, in fact, I know when I'm doing this its going to be a labor of love. For me there are 2 great things about it. One, it is portable, I can take it anywhere and do it anytime (watch tv at night, waiting for doctors, sporting events for child, etc). I have a little bag I carry it in. Second, and the most important for me is that its relaxing. I really don't have to think about it, I just do it (if that makes sense).

These basically are the only 2 ways I do it. I guess I'm sort of lazy, but the less steps the better. I like seeing the finished product. Some applique techinques seem to be more cumbersome than others to me unless there's a specific application (like stuffing) to be used.

Does this help or does it confuse you more? :D :-D

I suggest backbasting applique. There is a great tutorial at appleblossomquilts.com.

I suggest backbasting applique. There is a great tutorial at appleblossomquilts.com.

I do the hand needle turn method. Relaxing,soft and sooo satisfying when finished. To me the fusible machine method is so stiff,but it does go much faster. I just finished a quilt of 14 1/2 in squares of old barns, took me almost ayear but what the heck I would have been doing the same thing on something else anyway . lol Jolo

For the last few months I've been wanting to start some applique projects but like you was overwhelmed with the different techniques. I found the book More! Hand Applique by Machine by Beth Ferrier. I really like her technique and just finished a wall hanging using her methods. I also bought and used the water soluble fusible applique sheets that are on this same link I'm pasting for you. They were really nice because I didn't have to worry about removing freezer paper from the back of my work. Not sure yet if I'd use them on a quilt but they've worked really well for this hanging.

http://www.amazon.com/More-Hand-Appl...2024606&sr=8-2

Applique is my favorite thing to do. My mom taught me and I guess I do it the old fashion way. I cut out allowing an extra 1/4" turn that under, baste. Some of the parts I may use wonder under and if I do, then I do the blanket stitch by hand. I love the way it looks and I enjoy hand work will listening to the tv.

I love applique but because of a pinched nerve in my neck at C4 I can't do hand needle work of any kind, so I do everything by machine.

I use the fusible method because I am one of those people who wants to get one top done so I can start another.

With the fusible you can get many different looks depending on what stitch you use. I use zig-sag, blanket stitch and all the decorative stitches on my Baby Lock Ellegante. Then when you use monofiliment, black, varigated, gold or silver, or matching thread you can get any 'look' you want.

I think you should also consider how the finished product will be used. If an heirloom, then by all means use the needleturn method. If the project will be in the washer often, then use the easier and quicker methods of fusible/satin/macnine stitched.

You do not want to put a lot of time into a project will will be roughly used, i.e, a baby or child's quilt.

Suzanne

I have most of Elly's books and have taken classes from her. I agree with 12 Ways to Applique, is a great book. I love hand applique. I recently did it on the Rainforest Rain quilt, I had forgot how much I missed hand applique. I have been doing so much piecing and handquilting lately. So I bought a great book on tea cups and some funny Amy Bradley patterns, so I am at it again.

Thank you for the site, I spent a lot of time on it today and learned a lot.

Using a heart template was the way I learned. I still have my very first sample. Everyone here has covered and very well the different methods and the best books. And they are right, be brave and just jump in. I would recommend #10 straw needles, yli silk thread and a very good thimble. One other thing I use for templates, those subscriptions cards that are in the mags, much better than card stock, for me anyway. The yli silk thread you will probably have to order it. Do a search on the fabshophop. Have fun!

Thanks to all of you for your helpful comments and suggestions. As I mentioned in my post, I do have a few technique books that I have been looking through again, and I also got the Hargrave book from the library. That one is for machine applique, but it is very helpful. After I do some practicing with the different methods, I have decided I want to do a Sunbonnet Sue quilt for my new grandneice who is coming in May.

It all depends if you want to do hand or machine, raw edge or needle turn... We all have our favs. I do nothing but needle turn, but like all the others to look at . There is a lot on line about all the different ways, read up on them all. Try them all and then decide what you like to do best. Just have fun.

Last year I bought the DVD by Karen Kay Buckley that was highly recommended. She goes over everything from supplies, helpful gadgets, to all the different types of applique. I still watch it before I applique in cse I forgot something. Her quilts are beautiful!

I took a class with Karen last yr. in Chicago. It was great.
This yr I was lucky enough to take a class in called needle turn with a twist--it was also great.

I, too, have taken two classes from Karen Kaye. She is an excellent and fun teacher. She lives about 45 miles from here and taught us (some guild members) once a month for a year - did this twice. I did a Baltimore Album using Elly Sienkwiez's book and another using Karen's book "Friends and Flowers". This quilt obviously has lots of 3D flowers but also a different bug, butterfly, little creature in every block.

I was fortunate enough to have my Baltimore Album shown at the Lancaster Quilt Show in 2007. Didn't expect to win, but was pleased to be invited to show.

You will learn a lot from Karen. Suzanne

Thank you for the info on Karen Kay Buckley. I am getting so much helpful information to get me started.

Some quilters turn as they go, but I like to gently baste the piece by before I place it on the background, then I blindstitch by hand. You can also fuse it, first, to the piece you're going to applique. Be sure and leave a small amount to turn.
After you applique it, then you can cut through the back and tear out the part you fused.
Madelaide

Some quilters turn as they go, but I like to gently baste the piece before I place it on the background, then I blindstitch by hand. You can also fuse it, first, to the piece you're going to applique. Be sure and leave a small amount to turn.
After you applique it, then you can cut through the back and tear out the part you fused.
Madelaide

If you have a quilt store or guild nearby offering applique classes, I'd strongly recommend you take a couple. When I first started quilting, I took a 5 or 6 week class and each week we learned a different basic technique. I had a finished project in each style. You might choose a simple pattern and do it in several techniques and see what you like. There are so many great teachers available.

The Sunbonnet Sue would look great with a buttonhole stitch,a lot of the antique ones where done like that,Anne

thanks for the link and love this thread!

thank you all for the info. God bless. Penny

I love to hand applique, and have used the freezer paper method, the method where you turn under your raw edges and use a glue stick to hold your seam allowance down. The one I really like is to draw your final shape on the right side of fusable interfacing, and sew around the outline with the fusable side to the right side of the fabric. Next cut around the sewn together pieces leaving a narrow amount of fabric on the outside of the seam line. Cut a slit in the interfacing, clip curves as necessary, and turn right side out. Your applique piece can now be ironed onto your fabric, and stitched down however you wish, by hand or machine. I like to hand stitch it down, catching the fabric of the applique just to the side edge of the fold where the seam is between the fabric and the interfacing. My stitches usually don't show doing it this way, or if they do, one has to look very close to see them. I hope this helps. Janis

Karen Kay Buckley has a great DVD. So does Piece of Cake. Kathy Delaney also has one. Good books out there unless I have bought all of them already. LOL