Raw edge appliqué tips
 

I've bit the bullet and my daughters' mermaid quilt is under way. It's my first time raw edge appliquing on something that will be washed (and fairly often at that).

Do you wonderful ladies (and gentlemen) have any suggestions for me? I've used Heat N Bond Lite for the fusable, and now I have to wrap my head around what stitch to use and what thread. I have a horizon 7700, so there is no shortage of stitch options.

I like the buttonhole stitch.

I do either the buttonhole (heirloom) or a close zig zag. I'll use whatever thread I have in the color I want. sometimes I match, sometimes I outline in black. once you get good, you could go either way. show us what you do. good luck and have fun

I usually use a satin stitch on my raw edge appliqué and I also use Heat'n Bond lite. I don't like the look of loose threads that happen when I use the buttonhole stitch.

You could always do a satin stitch or other denser decorative stitch, but then you probably should also get some tear-away stabilizer to adhere to the back of your background fabric.

I use my free motion quilting foot and zip around the edges about 1/8-1/16th from the edge. I change thread to match the applique piece. Sometimes I need to go back around!

I've used FMQ with multiple passes.....It actually goes very very fast....and I've found it holds up well.... I tend to like to use a color one shade darker to kind of show an "outline"

I use blanket stitch

Lynnie, care to post any close up pictures of some of your work? I want to do more, but the few pieces I have done I am not happy with - and I don't think I am doing them right. I would love to see some of what others have done so I can figure out where I am going wrong.

Rennie

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! They are nudging me in the direction of actually moving forward.

Does anyone have an opinion on using superior's mono-filament thread on this?

Here are a few of the mermaids. I'm using a few AccuCut paper doll dies to cut these.

Heat-n-Bond light with blanket stitch. Never had a problem with fraying or coming off.

Live large! Try some of the embroidery stitches on your machine. My daughter bought a pattern that did just that and it sure added a lot to the quilt. Any stitch that will hold the edges down works fine. Use a scrap and try some of them to see what you like.

Your mermaids are adorable ... I like the diversity :thumbup: I can relate to your hesitation to move forward actually stitching on them. I just did my first machine raw edge applique using satin stitch ... the straight and slightly curved edges were not difficult but the tight curves gave me issues. My advice: Practice practice practice on test pieces .. become comfortable with your speed and technique. Wish I had practiced more !

I primarily use the buttonhole stitch, close stitches or turkey tracks or if the fabric is really easily frayed then I will use a satin stitch. It took a lot of practice and trial and error to find the settings that gave me the look that I wanted. Some of my earlier work reflects that search. Now that I've finally found what settings to use I love machine applique.

I also use the satin stitch with the needle just off the edge of the piece and the majority on the piece. Drive the needle along the edge lifting the presser foot and realigning when needed especially for the tight curves. You can always do a second pass to smooth out an area if needed. Be sure to use a tearaway stabilizer on the back side of the background fabric as it will help control the movement and keep things flat.

I think that's the prettiest appliqued fish I've seen :)

Lovely fish and adorable mermaids. What a talented group! :-)

That is a pretty cute fish!

It never occurred to me to try to keep the needle at the fabric edge and then into the piece. I probably would have just tried to center it the edge, but I believe you're likely suggesting this to keep it from fraying and to help maintain the shapes of the mermaids. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for your help, I'm ready to take the first one on (once I finish someone's year end--gotta work to pay for thread and fabric)! I have my stabilizer and thread ready. Crossing my fingers this works well.

That's what I was going to say. I really like the satin stitch look.

I hope you washed your fabric first, before adhering the fusible. Sizing in the fabric will not let the fusible stick as well.

You guys are so talented with your cute little underwater projects! They both look so nice!

Does anyone have a sample of anything you can post where you've used a decorative stitch on the edge? I've done it with satin stitch and buttonhole but haven't seen a decorative stitch used this way before.