I have a lady who is willing to teach me to do hand needle turn applique...she uses ONLY silk thread...is this a must???
also straw needles...

what do you all use..pro's, con's...
I love to do handwork, but applique the traditional way scares me to death!

I would use what she suggests to learn, then you can develop your own style and tools. Enjoy the learn process:)

I have heard with the silk thread it basically disappears - I would follow what she says until you see what you like. I wish I has someone offer to teach me :mrgreen:

Definitely follow her directions!
Honestly, I use whatever I have on hand, including regular old embroidery floss and whatever needle is the closest to grab. :oops: If I could afford the silk, I'd most definitely use it.

Don't be scared, it might end up to be one of those, "Geez, I love doing this! Why didn't I try it earlier?" kind of things.

Go with what you have. the woman who taught me her technique did not specify and so, I use any thread that is thin enough to fit through the needle. I applique on the subway and still do work that doesn't show the stitches

Everyone has a different combination of needle and thread that works for them. And each has their pros and cons.

You should try what she suggests, but also try others, so that you can decide what you are most comfortable with.

I use a number 11 applique needle and Mettlers 60wt cotton thread

A very thin needles really helps to make the invisable blind stitch but the straw needle is too long for me to be comfotable to sew and to get the accuracy that I want. But, I know many who are more comfortable with the straw needle than the shorter applique needle.

The silk thread must be knotted on the end of the needle to prevent it from slipping off all the time. I dont enjoy sewing with the silk thread, but others swear by it as you only need one or two colors for all your applique.

I use whatever I have handy that matches the fabrics, however I did use the silk when I made my bouganvillea mug rugs and it's the smoky colour & it really does totally disappear.

The straw needles are awesome. And they're all I use for hand applique. Silk thread is great too. But, I've already got a wonderful stash of Aurifil, Mettler and Masterpiece so I use that. I've currently got a needleturn project and I'm glad I learned....but I still much prefer the starch method with hand applique.

I love needleturn applique - silk cottons are lovely to stitch with - haven't tried straw needles I use a quilting needle but I would go with whatever your tutor is telling you worth investing in some applique pins - very tiny and fine -
have fun it is a very relaxing way to make a quilt plus once you have all your shapes cut you can do it anywhere.

I use both silk and cotton to hand appliqué. I prefer the silk as it is so fine the stitches hide easily and I only have to use a few spools. Needles are a matter of preference. I have used straw, appliqué, and betweens. If I have a lot of sharp corners I like longer needles. Otherwise i just grab whatever is handy. For now go with your teachers suggestions. This is the voice of experience and it sounds like she will go with cinventional wisdom.

I had tried some needle turn with reg.thread and needle. then a lady in our guild gave a class and we all used silk thread and silk needles. the difference was night and day. in fact, today i was sorting some odds n ends in the sewing room and found the little heart i'd done in the class. i must say that i was quite impressed with how great it looked. try it... it's wonderful.

i use silk thread and sharps....love needle turn applique

i use silk thread and a quilting needle, you do not have to knot the thread at the needle although some do

OK...so I have all of the threads you listed here...I just love Aurifil 50 & 60wt..and I love the Masterpiece too...have all the colors...so I can use that...and I just need a tiny needle???

I don't think it's a must, but you may take advantage of her expertise and try it her way. Then you can always change it up later. I think Straw Needles are great for needle turn - they are thin and long. Good luck and have fun.

I was taught to use silk as well, and I think it's a good idea to start with that and the straw needles. Once you get a feel for it, you can try other materials.

If you normally like handwork, I'll bet you will love needleturn applique.

I tried all kinds of methods of applique that allowed me to avoid the "needleturn" aspect before I broke down and did a cutaway needleturn block. Seven smallish five-point stars on an 8" block - of all the crazy things to break into applique with! It took me a couple of evenings, but it was so much fun! Now, I've got two hand applique projects going at once - one is needleturn and one is starch prepared.

I keep trying YLI silk and it does a good job of disappearing, but gosh, it shreds so easily while you're sewing. Seems like I can only take eight or ten stitches before it's breaking.

So far, I've used YLI 100 wt silk, YLI Soft Touch, Masterpiece, Aurifil 60 wt, Mettler Silk Finish and Bottom Line - all of them are fine, so they disappear into the applique.

But, my favorite is the polyester thread - the Bottom Line - it's so fine and so strong! It stays in the needle and doesn't shred or tangle. I use Thread Heaven, but when I skip it, I don't really notice much difference.

You can order a whole rainbow of Bottom Line in a bobbin halo from Superior Threads for about $1 per bobbin. There are also 10-pc sets of colors on pre-wound bobbins. I usually use cream, taupe, silver or a medium grey, so I bought spools of those, too.

It is the easiest of all the threads to work with for lack of shredding and tangling and it's invisible in the finished block.

I'll bet you're going to be amazed at how much fun this is. :)

In answer to the question, I think it is courtesy to the teacher in any class to bring the requested supplies, even if it is annoying.

On NTA in general, can we have show and tell topic? Sounds like there are some great projects in your sewing rooms ( and I sew enjoyed the yellow quilt show- I want another!)

That is all I ever use for my needle turn applique. The silk thread makes the stitches invisible and you don't have to match thread to the applique or background and the straw applique needles make the needle turning so easy. :thumbup:

i use silk to hand bind. YLI is wonderful. Virtually disappears.

I use the sewing machine. I avoid all hand work. LOL

Since you are just learning follow what she tells you. I use silk thread most of the time because it disappears into the applique if done right. If you are going to spend the time to do applique by hand you mught as well use the best possible products with it.

It's the thin two ply thread (cotton or silk) that will make it look invisible. Try to match the color of the applique, sometimes gray works if you don't have a good match. Another good thing to have is thread wax or something similar to run your thread thru to avoid knots.

[quote=noveltyjunkie]In answer to the question, I think it is courtesy to the teacher in any class to bring the requested supplies, even if it is annoying.
quote]

ditto .... same as how I'd think about this. And while learning the technique from her, I would ask about the other threads and the why and why nots for them!



Straw Needles?? ..... someone please do tell what these are, as all that comes to mind for me is straw as in bedding for cows!! :)

I have just taught myself to hand applique and love it. Hope you enjoy the process and develop your own style.

Is it a must NO but I do use straw needles they are slimmer and long and sharp. Silk thread is smoother and doesn't "tangle" if you don't use silk at least keep your thread shorter. and the needles are not expensive but on the threads. Try the applique and see if you like it before you invest a lot of money in the threads. I only use silk for applique. Just my thoughts

I agree. If you have the opportunity to have a "one on one" teacher-student experience, you should learn the way the teacher teaches. After you learn the mechanics of it and get comfortable with applique, you can branch out and try different thread, needles, fabrics, and patterns. You are very lucky to have someone to give you the gift of her experience.

They are hand sewing needles that are a little longer and slimmer I love them for hand work, like needle turn. They can bend easy, but needles are one of the cheaper items and so buy good ones. Just my opinion :)

My friend that taught me to hand applique said to use what is comfortable for you. I prefer a longer needle and I use a milliner needle. To me they are easier to thread than straw. I use what ever thread that matches the fabric. I use silk, mettler, gutermann, or connecting threads. But I agree that silk blends beautifully. I like the starch method also, don't have to use as many pins. Enjoy its a wonderful carry along project. Love it

Thanks! .... so I'm getting that Straw is a brand name, and not "straw" :)

When I took a class on needle turn hand applique, the lady who taught the class also recommended silk thread, but she also said this..."if you do applique right, you should be able to use any color thread and it won't show"...I found that silk thread breaks easily and I wanted my projects to be sturdier, so I have used other threads, but by taking tiny stitches the way she taught me, they all work beautifully! Enjoy your time learning and absorb all you can and you will find your own "comfort" and style once you know the basics!

No, straw is a kind of needle made by many different companies :)

So it's the "style/type? and not the brand .... I've become interested in needles lately, as mine have just been the run of the mill type. Not that I do applique, but of course, miles of binding!

What is a straw needle?

Straw needles are easier to thread if you have one of those plastic hand sewing neeedle threader things. I think they're made by Clover. I bought mine at JoAnn Fabric.

This is exactly the way I was taught... you will find the needle will handle better than a stiff needle... the straw needle is flexible and helps you get under the fabric as you turn the fabric.... the silk thread does hide into the fabric and is strong to allow you to pick up less fabric as you turn.... I love to applique and i think I found my "nitch" when I first learned this, from my sweet DIL... give it a good try, you may like it!!!

A lot of people use silk thread as it is so fine ( 60 or 80 or 100 wt) that it just melts into the fabric and becomes invisible, which you want when doing needle turn applique. I don't like it only because it tangles on me. I know that the way to avoid that is to use a length no more than 18 inches long. I prefer to use 60 wt. mettler cotton embroidery thread. It also becomes invisible when the stitch is done correctly. Take her up on her offer to teach you and do as she suggests. Once you learn the technique, if you are not happy with the materials that she suggested, then you can experiment on your own. I simply love needle turn applique and have taught many others to love it too.

I also use YLI silk thread and love it because it virtually disappears as you needle turn. The above statement is absolutely correct....you can use any thread...just take small stitches. I don't use a straw needle as I find it's too long for me. Have fun, the finished project will be beautiful. I've got several quilt tops going right now. For the 1st time I'm experimenting on the starch method....you can then hand or machine applique. I'm stitching by hand, may try machine for another project. It takes FOREVER to get ready, but, wow, I have an entire top ready in separate baggies and can pick up whenever I want. HAVE FUN:)

At the risk of sounding like the quilt police, my advice would be to follow your teacher's advice and instructions.
What's the point in getting someone to show you how to do something and then not listening to what they have to say? You might as well teach yourself. You don't need to got out and buy 25 spools of silk thread to start with, just a couple; and it's not like straw needles cost an arm and a leg. Try her way and then make your own modifications later on.

I use Jenna Kimbell (Foxglove Cottage) needles - Straw size 9. They are the finest needles I've every used. Strong, but slick as a whistle for slipping into the fabric. If your LQS doesn't have them, here is the link. I bought 5 pkgs. of her size nine embroiderys at $3.00 per package. S&H was $3.50. Shot them to me in the mail. I just ordered 5 packages of straws while I was there getting the link. I should have them by Wednesday as she ships so quickly!

http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/store/