raw edge appliqué
 

Quick question regarding raw edge (fused) appliqué: can I use a blind hem stitch (machine) around these pieces? If not, what else would you suggest?I don't want to use buttonhole or satin, or anything that is going to look kind of bulky. I'm trying to keep it clean and streamlined, if that makes sense. Thanks in advance.

I am using a buttonhole stitch around my melons for my Orange Peel quilt matching thread to the fabric and don't think it looks bulky at all. If it is a wall hanging, then I would use the invisible using a blend hem stitch since they don't have to be washed often if ever.

I have only used raw edge on wall hangings. But I know others have used it on actual quilts. The method that works the best for me is to stitch as close to the edge as possible leaving a small 1/16 of an inch around the sides.

I use a blanket stitch

Just saw a Fon's and Porter show where they were appliqueing owls. They used a tight blanket stitch with the straight line going right against the edge of the applique and they said putting the straight line of the blanket stitch there would catch the fray.

On the raw edge I have done, I've just done FMQ right on the inside of the shape. I usually go around it 3-4 times. Often I will use a darker color to "outline" the shape.

I'll attach a closeup of a giraffe I did on a baby quilt.....I wish it were a better picture but it is the best one I have!

I've also used a smaller zig zag. I don't like the bulky look either.

I pretty much always use a small blanket stitch, it is never bulky or heavy. I do not like satin stitch on appliqués. Once in a while I use a small zigzag. If the quilt is a wall hanging a small straight stitch can be used. ( Holly Taylor quilts are often straight stitched) . I can not quite figure out how a blind hem stitch would work. You could put together a small practice piece & try it.

My favorite stitch on my Viking Rose(#17) has straight stitch for a couple stitches, nip to the left, couple straigt, nip to the right, etc. I use YLI Wonder Invisible and my appliques looks hand stitched.

I use a regular straight stitch, smaller stitch length, and I use clear monofilament thread. I stitch as close to the edge as possible.

Depending on the item, if I am going to quilt around it, I'll try to quilt right over the monofilament stitching.

In the pic below you can see both the monofilament and my quilting stitches. This item is a wall hanging, and all of the fabrics are batik. It won't be washed much.

I want to add though ... the sample above was not with fusible, I used a simple glue stick to place the pieces. Since then I began working on another project using raw edge (again, all batiks) but this time using fusible. This new piece has places were there could be as many as four layers of fabric (and three layers of fusible) in a given area. When I tried to outline my pieces with a monofilament I ran into a new problem .. the fusible left holes in the fabric that will not close. Because the thread was invisible, the end result looked like a series of holes. After experimenting on a test piece with different needle sizes (even the smallest needle left holes) and different thread, the best result I had was to use a self colored thread as it masked the holes more than the monofilament would have.

The lesson I learned is that I won't use fusible anymore. The glue stick did the job as long as you didn't handle the piece too much before you stitched the edges down.

It depends if you're okay with fraying (some people prefer the frayed edge look). If you do it in a 50/60wt cotton in a matching color or a 100wt silk in a coordinating color, the thread will not show up much as a blanket stitch (I do my stitches a scant 1/8") and then you can wash it on a regular basis & it can be touched without worrying about fraying.

I know a quilter who does all her fused applique with a blind hem stitch (and have seen online tutorials on that) but it just always seems to start fraying by the end of the first year. All those little pockets where the straight stitching runs along end up peeling and fraying.

I think it all depends on the project and the look you're trying to achieve. Personally, I like the looks of a blanket stitch, I use a small setting for my stitch length...

Prefer tiny zigzag either with inv. thread or one that matches piece.

I use a blanket stitch on all my applique. You can vary the stitch width and length to suit you. I usually use smaller on smaller pieces and a bit larger on larger pieces, but always have the straight stitch right next to the applique, but on the background. If your thread color matches the applique you have to strain to see it. Only once did I use a satin stitch. It is much harder to get even curves but doable. This was on a bed sized quilt for a toddler and will be washed many times. I haven't quilted it yet, but will also stitch on the inside of the satin stitch to reinforce the pieces further. With satin stitch: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...n-t267156.html With blanket stitch: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t268455.html If you look at the close-up pic, you can see my stitches in the lighter leaf, because I used a darker green thread. All the other appliques are blanket stitched too, but you can't see the stitches, especially from afar, because the thread matches. On folk art type appliques, I like to use black, which makes it look like it was done by hand. Your quilt, your choice. Good luck.

Zig zag stitch is what I have used with success

I used other stitches until I found the blanket stitch. Now that is all I used for Appliqué.
This is a very neat and clean look.

You can do a regular straight stitch just inside the applique which results in a slightly raggedy edge (but on purpose). Yes, you can use the blind hem stitch or any other decorative stitch that grabs to the side.
My favorite for raw edge is the blanket stitch and I adjust the width and length to suit the size of the design.

Thank you all so much for your input, especially the pictures! I will be testing out these options.

I am wondering, being new to quilting and applique, what if you use a permanent adhesive and have a quilted design done all over the applique parts? Would stitching along the edges be necessary then? I want to do some appliques with my Accuquilt dies and want to be sure to get it right the first time!

I've often used raw edge applique, particularly when I'm using Wonder Under or Steam A Seam, then I stitch close to the edge of the fabric and it works.

fxtrtr,
There are quilters who do their applique & quilting all in one step. Whether that would work for you depends on how densely you plan to quilt it and how secure you want the edges of your applique. Over time, the more secure that 1/8" from the raw edge is, the less likely it is to fray (some people like the fraying -- it's a design choice). The most secure is to enclose the edge completely by turning it under before stitching. The second most secure would be to use a fusible web that goes in 1/4" from the edge on the back and then is satin stitched to the background. Third most secure (still almost never frays) would be to do fusible with a close blanket stitch or decorative stitch that mostly covers from the edge 1/8" into the applique piece. After that, the more spaced apart your stitches, the less they cover the edge inward, the more likely it is to fray. Fusible will slow down and reduce the amount of fraying, but with washing and handling, over time any edge not enclosed or securely stitched to the background will start to peel up and fray.

I use a zigzag just never liked buttonhole or satin stitch. I've just finished a quilt which I did embroidery stitches around the edge and on the shape. To hold piece in place used a small zigzag with I visible thread. Liked this finish.

I do my blanket stitch by hand

When you use the words buttonhole stitch, do you mean blanket stitch?

l've used the buttonhole stitch, keeping the straight part along the edges. l've also used a narrow zigzag, but some fabrics actually get pulverized by all those stitches close to the edge, and l've had to go back with a slightly wider stitch. lf you're not turning the edges under, nothing is 100%. l think quilting just on the outer edges as luvspaper suggests is excellent insurance.

A precious little giraffe, Is it your pattern or a bought one?

I love the blanket stitch and adjust the stitch size based on the size of the shape being appliqued.

I use a small zizzag or button hole stitch.

I love to use the blanket stitch by hand or machine most of the time but when I don't want the stitching to show I use the clear thread and straight stitch as close to the edge as possible. That has worked for me.

So nip to the left on the applique, then nip to the right off the applique? Or how exactly does this work? I'd love to see a picture.