I am making the fatcatpattern.com block of the month series called "Flowers" (go to fatcatpatterns-it is on the same page as the Baltimore Blocks so popular here right now!) There are 8 blocks there.(so far) I am hand appliquing them all. I am stumped as to how to do the flower "stems" on the first block. should I steam a seam it and go back later to use sewing machine? should I use heat and bond light? should I do a bias tape of my own fabric and hand applique? I would like to hand applique but don't have a clue. I know how to make bias tape but how do I get it the shape I want? I know there is someone out there who is a PRO at this... anybody know what Roxannes glue is? Looked at a bunch of tutorials and this was mentioned along with "bias tubes"... sorry this long..

I am not a PRO at hand applique, as a matter of fact it is my worse technique, but I have done a few projects using this technique.

I, personally would not use any type of bonding agent because it will make the stems a little too stiff, especially if you are hand appliquing everything else. Roxanne's Glue is just a glue that holds down fabric, it looks like Elmer's Glue, but it is for fabric. If you cut your fabric on the bias, you shouldn't have a problem shaping it the way you want it to be. If there are curves in the shape, snip the curved edge before tucking the fabric under to eliminate bulk and to help make the shape.

Hope this helps some.

when I hand applique stems etc. I cut them on the bias and and with right sides together I sew them down the side. Then I have strips of plastic made just for stems etc. (found at most quilt shops) insert them in the tube I have made and iron them with the seam in the center so as to have it hidden on the underside as I hand sew the stem down. Once ironed of coarse you pull the strip of plastic out. I hope you understand what I am trying to say. Maybe someone on here has a tutorial they can show you. Marge

I would use the bias strips also...I've had lots of luck with them and your sides alway look much better in my opinion. Use lots of pins and you can get them to lay pretty much however you want due to the stretch with the bais.

I was taught to sew the inside of curves first. The bias will allow the outside to then lay flat. If you do the outside first, there is a chance you will have excess to deal with on the inside curve.

For curves that weave back and forth, I usually go from side to side with all the inside curves first, then come back and do all the outside curves. You can also do inside curve, outside curve, then move on to the next section. Use lots of pins.

Wouldn't you sew WRONG sides together ?

wow! I KNEW you all would come thru... Thanks for all the information.... I LOVE you guys! keep the info coming....

I'm not a pro either, but the way I do stems is, when I'm cutting out the pattern, on the inside curve instead of cutting 1/4" away from my stitching line, I just cut a lot of excess, like a straight line from the top to the bottom of the stem. I cut the outside curve scant 1/4" away, and then I pin it all down on the background fabric. That way, it's a whole big piece rather than a floppy stem. I then stitch the outside curve first, and when I get to the inside curve, I only cut maybe 2 to 3 inches at a time, at the scant 1/4" from the stitch line, and after that's been stitched, I move on to the next 2 to 3".

I hope that makes sense. Bottom line is, you're working with a bigger, sturdier piece while you're stitching your first side of the stem, allowing it to lay flat and not move around like a flimsy floppy stem.

thanks kitty gram. makes perfect sense.... I have had it for today.. am going to the hottub and watch the birds....

No, right sides together and when you insert the plastic strip you work the fabric so the seam is in the middle of the back, trim that seam to 1/8 in or less and press the stem down. Remove the plastic and and your seam will be on the underside of the stem. That way you do not have to turn it right side out which would be almost impossible because they are so narrow.

If I want the fabric to end up right side facing out, and I don't turn the narrow tube of fabric?????

I also sew my bias strips wrong side together, then insert the "strip" (mine happens to be metal) and press seam to center. If you sew the bias strips right side together, you would have to turn it inside out, which would be difficult if the strips were very narrow. Thats just what works for me.

Phyllis

Wow! Thanks everybody! think I have made my decision. Off to lqs for the flat metal or plastic strips. seems like the easiest way to handle. Also, I have beenironing, then basting my butcher paper to fabric pieces. Watched a tute using liquid starch, artist paint brush and mini iron.. How simple and FAST is THAT????? no more basting and sore finger for me. Now. just have to wtch that hot little iron and fingers. Thanks again. y'all are G-R-E-A-T :lol: :lol: :lol:

this is the easiest method. If they are on the true bias they bend around a curve just great....remember inter curve first and then outer curve

Got ot Lind R! Thanks! INNER curve first.....

OOPS, shame on me IT is wrong side together and right side facing you. Sorry. My first quote was right. My second one was wrong. Marge

Yes, because you DON'T TURN the piece. You trim the seam allowance to practically nothing and press it open, flattening the stem so the seam is on the BACK of the applique piece. You stitch it down on either side. Hope that makes sense.

:shock: Well, I guess I learned something. Because I did sew rightside together, & turned them. Then used the bias bars to press flat with seam in the middle. Also even though they were bias strips I had to dampen them to get a smooth curve but I was shapeing them into the pink ribbon (cancer awareness) symbol, and they just wouldn't curve smoothly & be flat withour dampening & then pressing in shape. But I got it done. Turned out great too. Then I appliqued them down. Still got enought to add to another full quilt, :lol:

I cut my bias a lot wider than required for the finished stem. I use those white plastic strips that are used to bundle items together and have a slot at the end to tighten. Clip off that sloted end, the other end is slightly pointed. (Sorry, I don't know the techincal name but know they are lot cheaper than the bias bars. They also cool quicker than the metal.)

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, use your cording or zipper foot and stitch along the edge of the white strip - really crowd the strip and slip the strip along the entire length of bias as you stitch. Before removing the strip, trim very closely to the sewn line. Owing to the crowding of the strip, wiggle the seam to the underside with the plastic strip still inside, sliding it along until the entire strip is pressed; and finally remove. You may also use a spritz of sizing to dampen before pressing, I do as it give a crisp edge. -- This even works with long, long strips for stems that may have to be seamed together.

PS: I prefer sizing, as spray starch leaves a white residue.

Suzanne

Thanks! all good information I'm gathering. I did buy the BIAS STRIPS and they seem to work well. I just need to use ziper foot to get REALLY close to edge of bar. Thanks for tip on sizing vs starch. The quilt wil be washed and dried before giving it away so does it really matter which I use???

No, it doesn't matter if you plan to launder. When pressing darker fabrics and I don't have sizing on hand, I just spray and press from the back side.


Suzanne

To get the shape you want, use a plastic overlay of your design. Buy the cheap plastic they sell at stores for tablecloths. Take a piece the size of your block and trace your design onto it. Put registration marks on the plastic pattern so that you know where the center is horizontally and vertically. Crease your fabric in the same places and line fabric and plastic up. You will be sure to get your bias vine just placed just right and exactly in the same shape as your pattern call for.

Thanks AnnaK! I never would have thot of that... I just heavy traced my pattern, taped it to my window, put my fabric over the top of paper and glued my pieces on. Duh! your way is much easier...

Dear Born to Quilt
to make stems the easiest way i have found, fabric cut on the bias fold wrong sides together, sew down the raw edge side as to pattern, flip the folded edge over and hand sew or machine sew down. by doing it this way you can make very narrow stems. hope this helps you. hot grandma

Another good suggestion. I bot some bias bars last week. They work fine BUT this sounds soooo much easier.. Will give it a try! Thanks!