Hello, everyone I have been quilt for about 10 years, I have never appliqued. I am interested in doing needle turn and need advice on needles, thread and the best type of bonding I will need, I currently use 100% quality cotton.
Also need advice on which book to buy for beginning applique, all feedback will be greatly appreciated.

I find it pretty hard to hand applique through a bonding material.

The way I was taught needleturn applique, you turn under the seam allowance as you hand sew -- no bonding material used.

Fusible applique is usually finished by machine because the machine has no problem getting through the bonding stuff.

Maybe I should add that my favorite applique method is machine applique with turned-under edges using the freezer paper method. I learned this technique from Harriet Hargrave's book:
http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Mach.../dp/157120136X

She describes other machine applique methods in that book too, including fusible applique, but not needleturn applique because that is a hand method.

Welcome to the world of applique! I have found a new love for handwork since I had my sons (oldest is 3). I no longer have time to get to my sewing machine, so I need projects I can do by hand. I love to do hand applique with fleece or felt material because it doesn't fray like cotton. I discoverd this weekend that the iron on light weight fusible (I happened to have some Pellon brand on hand in my stash) isn't too bad to applique by hand. The paper backed stuff is REALLY hard to do by hand--you may need tweezers to get it through the fabric!
I also prefer to cut the applique shapes with my die cut machine. I have used freezer paper before for copyrighted shapes and it is more labor intensive. I can't wait to see some pictures of projects you are working on!
Rose Hall

I do mostly needleturn and don't use a fusible or anything else. I mark my shape in pencil then turn the edges under to the marking.

Elly Sienkiewicz is an authority on this and has many many books on this topic from 12 ways to Applique to beautiful books on Balitmore Albums. She's my go to.

You've just entered the applique zone, be prepared to relax!!! :lol:

I second this. Elly is the all time expert, but there are others that have great needleturn instructions also. Jane Townswik is a great one too.

As for needles, I use a 12 applique needle, but you will need a very fine needle threader to thread the needles.. If you cant use the 12, the 11 will work. You can use a milliners needle, but I find it to be too long for me.

Thread should be a 60 wt cotton that matches your applique piece. Some folks like a taupe colored silk thread as you only need the one color, but you really have to like sewing with the silk thread. If falls off the needle so needs to be knotted at the needle eye.

Once you learn needle turn, you will be hooked...

Elly's books are mostly out of print and very expensive on the secondary market. I think that I have an extra copy of the one mentioned above by sewcrafty. PM me if you are interested in it.. I will give you a fair price.

This is the Applique I will be going..(will be practicing before starting the quilt)

Emily's Gift Civil War Inspired Quilt by Bonnie Blue Quilts, this is a kit that was given to me. Here is the site: http://www.bonniebluequilts.com/imag...ft-sml-web.jpg

That is a very good project to learn applique, simple shapes and nice size pieces. You will be fine. If you want some one on one help , just PM me.. I will be happy to adopt you for this project.

Thanks I will keep that in mind.