could someone please explain what the prochure of applique i have 3 books and i do not understand it i saw someone applique a long time ago and they just laid the applique down on the block and stiched around it and i don't understand the reason for the wonder under could someone please explain it thanks so much dorothy from tenn

You place the wonder under and the cut out applique design right sides together ( fusible side of wonder under to right side of fabric) and stitch around the outside edge. Then you cut a small slit in the wonder under and turn the applique right side out. this way you do not have any raw edges. You fuse the wonder under to your main fabric or block with an iron and it holds your applique in place while you either hand stitich or machine stitch around the outside edge of the applique.

you can also simply use the wonder under - or other fusing product - to "glue" the pieces to the background without turning the edges under. do a zig-zag, blanket stitch, satin stitch or any other decorative stitch around the edges of each piece to secure them permanently and prevent fraying.

Sorry, Middysmom, was trying so hard to answer you in chat last night....it got a little crazy there for awhile.

There are so many ways to applique, both of the above answers are correct and great, it is personal choice.

It depends on what you want.

When I am going to satin stitch around an applique that I don't want a 'stiffening' behind. I cut the pieces the size I want, pin them or spray adhesive them to the block or garment, then stitch around them with a close stitch.

When I want to add demension to the applique, I will spray adhesive a little batting to the back then turn under the scant 1/4 inch by hand or by machine with the blanket stitch.

Again, I'm sorry you didn't see my private messages last night to you. If you still have questions......let us know. SOMEONE is bound to be able to give you an answer that makes better sense than me, but my methods have worked for me for 37 years. :shock: I began applique with first baby and before applique 'was cool' as the song goes. :lol: :lol:

I just use a glue stick just like the ones used in school then machine applique, washes out leaves no stiff feel. :D

If you are going to use this, make sure you get the kind you can sew. If you don't get the sewable kind, it will gum up your needle and machine! MESSY!

Some ppl do use a glue stick. Just a regular glue stick. It will hold the fabric in place while you stitch...I saw it done on Alex Anderson's show once.

I haven't tried the wonder under. I have tried regular school glue, the stick, and it worked perfectly and washed out. There are many different ways, just choose which works best for you!

As Ruth Said....a Glue stick works good....and it's good for binding a quilt...washes right out........

YOu use wonder under only if you are going to stitch around the piece by machine. In other words, satin stitch around the design. If you are talking hand applique you cut out the design using freezer paper and iron it on the fabric (dry iron) then cut the fabric out leaving about 1/8 the edge around it to turn under while hand sewing. Before putting the last few stitches in pull the freezer paper out, (I use tweezers at this point) You could probably go to you local library and borrow a book that shows you how. If using wonder under follow the directions that come with it. Marge