I've a few quilt projects on hand and once I'm done with them, I would like to start doing appliques. Can appliques be self taught? My LQS conducts classes but they are not cheap and I've limited time to travel to attend classes too. I know there are lots of websites and books with lessons on appliques, but I'm not sure if they are easy to follow on my own.

Should I start with hand or machine applique? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Depends on what you want to do.Machine is easy to learn by yourself where as hand,for me, is better if someone shows you.At least that is how I learn best.There are fine point to hand applique that there aren't to machine.

I taught myself hand applique. It was really easy. I think it's totally doable to teach yourself. There are many methods, so I'd start reading blogs and here on the board, to learn about the various methods.

There is a 'virtual' applique area that's been started here on the board for folks wanting to learn. (Click on Virtual at the bottom of this page, and look for the Applique one.) It has many links to blogs that explain and demo the applique processes.

Have a wonderful time!

i taught myself how to applique also. i like it best because i feel i have more control over my project than with the machine. and - i can do this in my recliner with my feet propped up as opposed to bent over my machine. just look at tutorials on this board and give it a try.

I learned needle turn applique from a teacher who was proficient at it. Her input was very helpful. I learned freezer paper applique from reading a book. I learned various machine methods watching TV or videos.

Why don't you try to learn on your own and see how it goes? IF you get hung up on a step or two, just a quick conversation with a pro online or in a LQS might be enough to clarify for you.

I've never yet seen a class project I liked, and as you mentioned, the classes are expensive, so if you can save your $$ for more fabric, why not learn on your own?

RST

I just learned needle turn applique a little less than a year ago, and I love, love, love it! :-D I'd tried many different technique and had people show me stuff, had a dozen books myself and checked out a dozen more from the library. Gave up and decided my fingers were too stubby. LOL

My LQS owner asked me to head up a group doing the Circuit Rider quilt, so I agree figuring a little pressure might help. And one more crack at it to see if it was hopeless!

I checked out of our library a DVD called "How to Applique the Piece o' Cake Way" -- and after years of trying and dozens of methods, this one absolutely worked wonders for me. Now I'm hopeless addicted to needle-turn applique!!

So they are, in my opinion, a great way to learn. The video is readily available at Amazon or Connecting Threads or Piece o Cake's own website.

Best of luck!
Blessings,
Mary Lou

My Circuit Rider blocks so far....and I just learned applique last December!

Machine applique is easy to self-teach. I would recommend the book by Harriet Hargrave:
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mach.../dp/157120136X

Hand applique (including needle-turn) is also easy to self-teach. A class can be helpful for mastering the finer points of needleturn, but isn't really necessary if you have some good books on the subject.

Hand applique doesn't work for me because of my oddly shaped fingers; my hand cramps up very quickly from holding the needle. However, I love Harriet Hargrave's method for invisible machine applique using freezer paper, so I don't mind.

I just learned machine applique this spring . Did it all at home and with help from here and the internet :lol: If you consider yourself a good learner try to learn all you can on your own and spend the money on fabric :wink: LOL

You can absolutely teach yourself to applique!! :wink: There are lots and lots of online sites that have written instructions and video tutorials. Applique is a wonderful, relaxing thing to do, and I absolutely love it!!! :thumbup:

I found hand applique boring and time consuming. There are lots of ways to applique by machine, and they don't have to be raw - edge. Eleanor burns has some good tips if you can watch a few of her demonstrations on TV. Lots of library books would give you some ideas and if you have a good library in your area, you could probably get a video of it. I paid a lot of money to get hand rolled applique lessons once and all the teacher did was give us the pattern and then went and sat in a corner whilst everyone sewed by themselves. I was considered a 'nuisance' for asking questions, as the others had done it all before...it was a waste of $$ ,time and effort. I had a better time with the books.

What a beautiful job you did after so little time.
Great stuff.

With all the videos on the internet (I LOVE YouTube!) you should be able to teach yourself. Have fun learning this beautiful art.

WOW, Mari Lou, that is AMAZING!

Self taught in both methods. I love hand applique. I do use machine applique for some things. The two things I learned about hand applique is use a fine thread and don't pull too hard. The fine thread almost disappears into the fabric. I am hand quilting a quilt that I hand appliqued years ago and if I had to do it all over again it would be so much better now. But it was my first.

I know exactly what you mean about wanting to re-do!! LOL I did all the applique on my Dear Jane a couple of years ago, and I sooo wanna "fix" it!! TOO LATE!! LOL And everyone says, "Leave it! That's a record of where you were when." But I didn't really want to be there then, you know!? :-D

Thanks, everyone, on the compliments to the Circuit Rider! (I was standing back a ways from my wall -- so you don't see where the edges aren't quite smooth and the points not quilt sharp! :-D) But I'm learning, and I love it!!!

Blessings!
Mary Lou

I have found the Back-basting method to be the only one for me--it is accurate and easy--no templates and very portable. And you can make patterns from just about anything, such as drawings, pictures, etc. No need to buy patterns. The virtual board here has a link to one instructor, but there are many out there online. Just start out with something easy and you will get better.

Thanks to all for the replies and reassurance that applique can indeed be self-taught! Most of the terms used here are like jargons to me. LOL. But I learn so much from you ladies here! Will definitely read up more about appliques in my free time and check out those resources you ladies had recommended! :)

There are many videos on Youtube for machine and hand applique. I find watching it being done the easiest way for me to learn a new technique :D:D:D

Sharon Schamber has a great video tutorial on her method of needle turn applique:
http://www.sharonschambernetwork.com...Blue-Bird.aspx