machine applique question
 

My DGS wants the attached dragon on his quilt. It needs to be approximately 21" x 21". I thought originally that I would machine embroider it, but it's so large that I think it would be more practical to applique it. If I use fusible web to cut out the applique, it seems to me that the thin lines would be impossible for me to stitch down to the base fabric. I thought some of you may have suggestions for the best way to handle this problem. I don't do hand applique or hand embroidery.
Thanks in advance,
Carol

Couldn't you use bias tape of the same color, or cut your own from the dragon fabric, for the thin lines?

How about fabric markers,crayons, pencils, acrylic paints ect.

Maybe use fusible on the larger portions, body & tail & satin stitch the webbing on the machine?
Sounds like you can digitize for embroidery? Maybe just digitize the wings, 2 separate files, embroider those, then fuse the body??

I would fuse the body and use the satin stitch on your machine to add the details. Just gradually narrow your stitch width as you sew with a close satin stitch.

I would fuse the main part and stitch it with machine. The really thin/narrow parts I would hand embroider with embroidery flos.

you could use fusable bias tape (clover makes it in 11 yard rolls- in colors & black- 1/4" & 1/8") you iron it on-then zigzag stitch it down. check 'stained glass quilts' to see what it is- i think you can find it at Clotildes, Nancy's notions, Keepsake quilting, ...

I'm not sure the lines will be so thin that you wouldn't be able to fuse them. I would however break the dragon up into sections ... I wouldn't try to fuse it as one piece.

Try to enlarge and see how thick the thinnest line would be.

Could u machine appliqué the large portions and do a tight zigzag stitch for the thin lines? Just use a stabilizer.

How bout the reverse applique tech shown in the portrait quilts seen here on the board?

alikat110,
Could you give me a link. I did some searches but didn't find anything that seemed relevant.
Thanks,
Carol

I think I would use zig-zag satin stitch to do the fine lines...hopefully you have a machine that you can slowly decrease the width of the satin stitch.

I think you could do it all with fusible. I would use Misty Fuse because the applique will remain soft. All you need to do to secure the thin lines is to machine straight stitch through them (with matching color thread), which is achievable even if the applique is only 1/16th of an inch thick in place. The edges may eventually lift from washing, but this is simply called raw edge applique. In the thicker areas I would straight stitch along all of the edges.

This might be pushing it too far, but I'd ask kiddo to have someone re-draw the figure with heavier lines so you could work with it easier

Best answer so far!

satin stitch the whole applique then satin stitch the lighter lines [?over a cord[pearl cotton 8]] always use tearaway under fabric to support the satin stitch

I would be inclined to do them in ink. Print the pattern the size you want it (probably several sheets taped together) put the fabric over it, then draw that critter over a window or light box.

How about for the fine lines using a pigma pen; they are permanent and lots of colors and fine tip

I was also going to suggest reverse appliqué, this link shows a simplified version of what might work. http://darnkat.wordpress.com/reverse-applique-tutorial/

Before you waste any more time agonizing over it take your design to Kinko's to enlarge it to the size you want. I bet you will discover that the 'fine' lines are bigger than you thought. Just be sure to use a good stabilizer under your fabric.

I did enlarge the drawing to the actual size I will need. I'm thinking, based on all the suggestions, that I will cut the whole thing out on fusible web, fuse it to the fabric, and then when I am appliqueing it to the background I will use a variable satin stitch (with stabilizer) on the very thin parts--the fused strips will guide me on that. I hope that will work out.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I always get so much help from y'all.
Carol

We want pictures when you are done!!