My very first quilt was needle turn applique. That's the only way I know how to do it.

I LOVE needleturn applique along with all hand work.

I also love to teach this technique. It is something that takes a little practice but not hard to accomplish.

The basic applique stitch and getting nice curves and points is something I can teach in one class setting, but I warn you, once you master that, you will want to add to your skills by adding dimensional applique, smaller and smaller pieces, more detail, embroidery embellisment, and on and on it goes.

Actually, there is a group on this board who is doing a cyber-sew-along of an applique quilt (Affairs of the Heart) and many people in the group are doing needle turn. Me, I am machining it, lol, tried needle turn when I lived in Hawaii and it was too hard to enjoy for me. I personally don't think any aspect of quilting is a dying art, there are just too many options (a good thing) and people choose what works best for them.

It's an instant gratification kind of society it seems. Personally, I prefer hand applique over that fusible junk.

Wow! You know there are many other ways to machine applique other than with "fusible junk"....can't believe you just said that :shock:

I do needle turn, I haven't done a whole quilt yet but I have several blocks in a sampler quilt I made but havent finished. yet

I love all kinds of hand work. Since having 2 boys in 3 years, I can't get to my machine as often as I would like. Since getting hooked on applique I've made that more of the focus of my quilt kit business.
Rose

There may be fewer quilters doing it, but it's not dying. It just takes us longer to finish!

Janet

I do the needle turn but I was also tought how to do it with back basting and that is my favorite way now.

I enjoy needle-turn applique and usually have a project going. It's the only kind of applique I've done. I have completed several Hawaiian applique wall hangings. My avatar is one, but have not yet attempted a full-size quilt. That will have to wait until retirement, I think.