Hand Applique using non-ironable materials?
 

I am appliqueing a king sized quilt with a mixture of regular cottons and wedding dress material (heavy taffeta most likely). I've already appliqued the train to the middle of the large background piece, but it was already ironed and had the crease.

To get the creases needed on the smaller pieces, I have to turn my iron too hot and it changes the shinyness and 'bubbles' the fabric in places. I usually use freezer paper, but I can't even get the iron hot enough to get that to stick to the back of the applique piece.

I can use pins... My other thought is to baste the pieces and then pull out the basting once the piece is sewn down.

Any ideas?

You could draw you turn under line with a pencil and needle turn. If you'd rather have the crease, then basting should be fine.

Another alternative is to use some kind of stabilizer under the appliqué and glue the seam allowance down - Sharon Schamber does this. She uses a stabilizer that dissolves in water, and Elmer's School Glue. The only downside would be if your wedding dress material can't take water.

Janet

You could use a light weight stabilizer, sew the stabilizer wrong sides together with the applique piece, make a slit in the stabilizer, turn right side out and lightly press. It won't make a sharp crease but the stabilizer holds the edges to the applique so you can sew it to your quilt.

Thanks ladies.....gonna try some different ideas this weekend!