help needed with hand applique stems
 

I am trying my hand at a small hand applique project. I picked a small runner from deborah kemballs, beautiful botanicals as my first project.
I thought that it would be easier to make my stems with my clover bias binder makers. I have a problem at the seams where the fabric strips are joined. I did angled joins but they look lumpy and are hard to deal with. Does anyone have any tips for dealing with those seams? How do I make my skinny little stems look pretty?

Did you press your seams open or to the side? I would press open to have them lay flatter. I can't offer any other advice than that for you, unfortunately. Haven't delved into hand applique much. Maybe others have better suggestions for you.

I use Bias bars to make my applique stems.

This is what I do as well. A heat resistant wire tie from NAPA works just as well and they come in a lot of different widths.

I agree, press seam open. That should help. I cut a bias strip approx. 1&1/2", press a little less than half. Stitch the inside curve down, flip open and trim the bottom piece back to about 1/8". Now turn under top piece and stitch. If the stem is too fat, trim a little off before turning under. This way you can make stems any width you would like. This probably doesn't make much sense but perhaps you can find a tut on you tube that will explain it better.

How long are you making your stems to have a seam in the middle? Or did I read that wrong? I have done a bit of applique stems and never had a seam. Try cutting a piece of fabric 1 and 1/2 inches wide and however long you need out of one piece of fabric. Follow what MarLeClair said about stitching one side down and trimming the seam allowance down and then turning the other side down and stitching it down. You'll get it.
Becky Goldsmith from Piece O Cake has several very good video tutorials on YouTube about applique. I would look at those to get some pointers. Good luck.

I also use this but I avoid seams in anything that is that skinny. It will never work even with the seam pressed opened.

I do use the bias maker and try very hard not to have joins in an open area. If possible have the joins happen under a flower etc. I know it's not always possible but it is very difficult to camouflage a join even when doing the 1/2" bias when using the bias maker. IMHO

Trying to find a youtube which might demo it. Here's one with just the bias maker no seams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-EkfTfjRFs

This one she shows how to make long lengths of bias and the seam but doesn't show it going through the bias maker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7iTP1MSsY

What Maniac said.

I know it sounds crazy but I don't use bias tape or bars, I just back baste and needle turn my stems. Even the super skinny ones turn out well this way.

I love Beautiful Botanicals, I hope you are having fun!

I agree with the other ladies, make the seams flat, but remember you are dealing with bias and it will stretch if you are not careful to press not scrub on those seams while flattening them. Also, the fabric could be your problem. Use a good quality soft fabric. It your fabric is as stiff as a board before you begin, that is the wrong choice. While making your seam, take the true bias path to sew on. If you get off, it does make a difference when you turn it around to use it.

I hope some of this rings a bell and helps a little.

I really should have asked first instead of getting all excited and just going for it. Perhaps careful leaf placement is my solution if I want to continue with my bias tape.
The pattern calls for a 3/8" bias strip to be stitched down on the wrong side and then finger pressed in to the stitch line. Which is what some of you do. I thought that I would struggle with keeping it even and wanted to be able to focus on my hand stitching (not beautiful yet) so I made 1/4" bias tape. Maybe I should try your way before I decide that it's too hard to do.
The bias bars look wonderful and I will definitely pick up a set at my LQS next visit. Thank you for pointing them out.
The runner is 40" long with a stem running up the middle so there was no way to avoid a seam. I did press it open. It is just a lot of fabric in so skinny a strip.
And yes, I tried stitching a few pieces down before I got going and I am very surprised at how much I am enjoying the hand work. It will be so nice to have something to take with me and to sit outside with in the nice weather.
Thank you for all the ideas. I will see which way I can have the best success with.

Buy a singer bias tape maker it's the best ever to make steams.it is electric and works great

I don't understand having a joining seam in the applique stem. Why not cut the length you need from the length with no connecting seam? I'd cut the seam connection out of the length and toss it.

You can absolutely make a 40" long stem with no seams. A 1 yard cut of fabric will give you a 44" long bias strip. Yes, you will have lots of leftover fabric, but that's what stashes are for, right? You can use the extra for leaves. :)

That's how I would do it, but that's just me.

Try using bias bars. I have tried all methods and really like the bars the best. By using the bias bars, my stems come out beautifully. Welcome to the world of hand applique. I just love it and find it very relaxing. Have fun.

Hey, just curius, if Im having success with my stems the Clover 1/4" bias tape maker, should I be worried the raw edges may become exposed when I wash the quilt? Perhaps the key to my success is a tip I learned to spray starch on them before I iron. In any case, I have the bars, but this is so much faster and easier. When using the bars I need more fabric, struggled with sewing the width correct and the raw edges peeked out anyway, so what am I missing?