Hi everyone,

In the short time I have been a member here I have discovered a wealth of information. But I am a completely self-taught quilter and I have some questions.....

1) What is the difference between English paper piecing and regular paper piecing?

2) What is "needle turn" applique?

3) Do any of you use polyester serger thread for piecing and or quilting?

4) What IS a serger anyway?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Cissy, you sure got a list there :wink: I'll help where I can

1: English Paper Piecing is hand piecing where your fabrics are basted over paper shapes cut to the correct size, then whip stitched together. Paper piecing also called Foundation Piecing to differentiate it from the other method, is sewn with a machine using pre drawn lines on paper or other foundation material to stitch along.

2: Needle turn applique is where a freezer paper template is ironed to the right side of your fabric and cut out leaving a small seam allowance, then the seam allowance is turned under with the needle as you hand applique the shape to your background. I can never get that seam allowance to go where I want it to :? so I use a slightly different method, where the freezer paper is ironed to the back of the fabric and the seam allowance is basted over the paper shape, then hand appliqued to the background, not sure what that is called :lol:

3: Sorry can't help with this one

4: A serger is an overlocker

BTW; It's nice to meet you :D

:thumbup: Thanks for the answers Shelly. I appreciate your time. I've tried applique using fusible interfacing and didn't think it was too difficult. The needle turn applique sounds harder. I know how to paper piece using my machine but I would like to try english paper piecing. It seems like a good activity for traveling and watching tv with the family. It's nice to meet you too. Have a nice night.

Good to meet you Cissy and Welcome to the board. I have been a lurker for as many yrs as this board has been going, jumping in now and then like now.
I did some English paper piecing for tumbling block quilt, oops yet to put it together. But it is a great take along. I cut the paper and fabric ahead of time, throw a few in a baggy and its ready to gp anytime

. Serger thread, yes I have used it also, and its a great way to have lots of thread. I really like it. If I need another color which I usually do not, use another machine. That way my main man stays threaded and ready to go at all times.

Hope this helps some. I am sure there are others out there who can help you more than I. And I am not sure I am right but it works for me.

Again Welcome, you will love this board. Its by far my favorite.

Rita

I do applique a lot! My methods are fusible and hand . I also use Roxanne's glue baste it to help on curves when I am doing it by hand. I don't use freezer paper but baste the pieces to the background 3/4" to a 1/2" from the edge and then turn under the raw the raw edge under using a slip stitch. Another way is to turn under the raw edges and using the blind hem stitch on the machine and it looks a lot like hand sewing that way too.
Hope this helps!

Welcome. The ladies of the board provide a wealth of information and I have learned so much since joining in May.
I believe most of your questions have been answered. I have had some training from my mom who always taught me to use cotton threads and cotton material for piecing. The reason for this is that when you use a similar weight thread, there is little pulling on fabrics over time. When the poly threads are used and with primarily cottons, it is believed by some quilters that this leads to pulling which can tear your quilt as it ages. Not sure if that's true, I've only been quilting 3 years but to be on the safe side, I only use poly blends for toddler blankies that aren't meant to last forever. Hope this helps.
Happy sewing!

Thank you, Rita. It's nice to meet you too. I really don't think there is a right or wrong way when it comes to quilting. Everyone does things differently. I am teaching myself as I go so I love forums like this where we can all share our triumphs and trials, tricks and techniques. Thanks for coming out of lurkdom. :D

Thanks, Vicki. I would love to see some of your applique. I'll probably stick to the fusible method until I become more confident and comfortable with my hand work. I like your idea of basting the pieces to the background and then turning the edges under. Thanks for sharing.

I forgot to post the link about thread I found, too. LOL it's one of those days.
http://www.sewthankful.com/PiecingThreadEducation.html

Thanks for your insight. I started quilting 3 years ago as well. When I first started quilting I read somewhere that you should only use cotton fabric and cotton thread, so that is what I have done so far. I picked up a cone of poly serger thread at Joanns because it was so inexpensive. I'll probably use it for the charity quilts that I make. They are primarily for babies and children and not meant to last. Thanks again!