I have not done any hand applique, but I plan to try and now that I've watched this tute, I will definetly try it that way, thanks.

I took a class with Diane Rode Schneck at City Quilter in NYC - this is the method she teaches. What is good about it is: 1) You copy the pattern onto the back using any marker you like. 2) then you attach a big piece of frabric onto the front by basting it following your design on the back. 3) When you turn it over you can actually see the basting on the front so you know how much seam allowance to cut. 4) I then use a marker that can either be ironed off or washed off to draw a line next to the basting sticth - this way when you remove two or three basting stitches at a time you can see a line so you know exactly where to turn the seam allowance under. What I like about this method is you get the exact same size of the design and it is placed where it should be placed. Not every design you might want to applique can use this method. Right now I am using Karen Kay Buckley's method but using a thick freezer paper ( 2 sheet ironed together), magic sizing, and an iron. If you use this type of applique method a needle nose tweezer is a God send. They can be purchased on line at a sewing store with a a really good notions department. I bought mine in the Garment District at Pacific Trim in NYC.

As many appliquers will tell you - try many methods ... and what ever works for you... Take classes and have fun.

I sometimes backbaste, but I prefer to use this method with big pieces. I needle turn small pieces, especially if there are several layers (leaves, flower petals, etc.) Instead of pins, I use a glue stick to hold the smaller pieces on the background fabric, but I will only glue 2 or 3 pieces at a time.

I have to admit that the tracing on the back of the fabric is my least favorite part. However, I found out that if your block is 8-1/2" square or smaller, you can either purchase or cut your freezer paper into 8-1/2 x 11" (the size of regular copy paper), iron the freezer paper onto the front of your fabric, and run your fabric through your inkjet printer/copier. The freezer paper stabilizes the fabric, and the design is printed on the back of your fabric.

Another tip I heard, but haven't tried is to machine baste instead of hand basting. Trace the pattern on the back of your fabric, then place the fabric you are going to applique on the front. But instead of hand basting, take it to your machine, lengthen the stitch length and loosen the tension slightly and carefully sew around the pattern. Of course, use a contrasting thread.

I am doing a Baltimore Album quilt and have to do another block like the one shown below. I back basted that fabric by hand. I am going to try machine basting on the second one.

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I have done a lot of applique and love it and tried all methods. For me, I like trace the pattern on the piece I am appliqueing and baste the pieces onto the background fabric. No pins to get in your way or freezer paper peeling. It makes everything so much easier. All the pieces are now sewn down and I cut away a little at a time as I am appliqueing. Don't forget to clip your curves. I also use a flat wet toothpick (kept in my mouth) to grab the edges and turn them under. Works great!

Mckwilter: your applique block is beautiful!

I haven't actually tried back basting method yet but have bookmarked lots of tutorials of it. I am hoping to give it a try, soon, so I'll be interested in everyones replies, also.

I have been quilting for years but fell in love with applique. I like back basting because you get more accurate placement of your pieces. There are no pins for your thread to hang up. I have tried several methods and each method has a place. I started out with freezer paper but quickly went to back bastng. I am now working on an applique piece that has pieces about 1l/2 inches. Haven't started it yet but back basting will not work with this. As someone else said, there are many methods of applique, you just need to find what works best for you. Good luck. Your block turned out great.

Well, I tried a method I liked even less - freezer paper on top - and to fix that fiasco I tried back basting again, and it is really growing on me !