suggestions please..
 

I want to try applique. I don't know enough about it to even know what I don't know. I realize that this will be a matter of personal preference...some like one way and others like another way and most do things their own way (as will I). Does anyone want to share their preferences with me? Thanks.... I am just trying to decide where & how to start.

Would you be interested in hand applique, machine, or machine embroidery applique? Youtube.com should have some videos on all of these that might help you to see what direction interest you.

Eleanor Burns does it by sewing lightweight fusible interfacing to the shapes and then turn the shape. This pulls the edge under and you then sew it down with a stitch on your machine like the blanket stitch. There are videos on her website you can watch.

I think that a good way to try needleturn is with one of the 2 fabric appliques from Nancy Lee Chong at Pacific Rim Quilt Company. http://prqc.com/2faq.htm They're small projects that only involve two fabrics.

Go online and research the different applique methods...make a small sample of each method...you can then decide which one you like to do the best...remember it is all about practice , practice, practice and patience...even quick methods of applique are not really that quick but lots of fun. Happy New Year and happy quilting. Evelyn

Experiment! Youtube is fabulous for this. I've found that I love needle-turn, but I don't love any method that involves my machine or an iron. Which is pretty much everything other than needle-turn. :) BUT, I did try many methods, most more than once, to come to that conclusion. As the years go I'm sure my tastes and preferences will change, and then I'll try different things again. I hope Youtube is still around for me then!

Edited to add: I bet a Sunbonnet Sue would be a good project for trying out the different methods...

I would highly recommend the book "Applique the Basics and Beyond: The Complete Guide to
Successful Machine and Hand Techniques with Dozens of Designs to Mix and Match"
http://www.amazon.com/Applique-Basic...words=applique

It is very well illustrated and has lots of techniques for both hand and machine. Amazon has some used for a very reasonable price.

I have tried machine appliqué as well as hand ... I prefer hand ... I have taken several classes and each teacher has her own technique so I take what works for me best....

I liked this DVD. http://www.maryappliques.com/

Nancy Chong also has a video that she sells. I watched it 6 times this week (i watched as i pieced another quilt and cleaned my sewing room, etc and as i tried the pattern i was doing)and really got the hang of it quickly. I love hand appliqué because it moves slowly and you can control the pace. You can take it anywhere with you to work on. I also prefer the results and the look of it usually.

I love the look of needle turn, but I have only done fusible. .and lots of it. My dear friend here on the board does needle turn and it's gotten me interested enough that I've watched YouTube videos on how to do it. I am seriously considering trying my hand at it. I know I can do it! And I know I will enjoy sitting in front of the TV with my husband and hand sewing instead of sitting in my sewing room.

Thank you all for these great suggestions! I have been watching YouTube and have just been fascinated by the different methods. I plan to try a bit of each and see what I like. And then probably a bit of each again....hahaha.... in any case, Happy New Year!

I love to do hand applique and I use the fusible web, but I hand sew it on. I have a tutorial on my blog. I did it in July.

GeeWhiz! I wish you were closer....I am doing a machine applique' class for our guild and guests ( for FREE) on January 19th. These ladies have given you some very good suggestions tho! All I can tell you is the same old, same old...PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. I instruct all my students to take a 10" or 12" square of fabric, use your chalk pencil and draw a square, circle, oval, figure 8, diamond, triangle and whatever other shapes you can think of. Back your square with a stabilizer or a medium tear away product. Also have a piece of scrap with you stabilizer under it and figure out your stitch you want to use....a straight stitch, a blanket stitch, a zig-zag , a satin ,or a decorative stitch, etc. Figure out your stitch length and width....be sure you are using the correct foot/ open toe, usually...and have a clean machine, a sharp needle, and the correct thread.....
For an outside corner ( squares, triangles, etc.)...stop your needle in the down position at the outside of the "point" of the corner, turn the fabric to where you will start the "new" line of stitching to the next corner.
With circles and ovals and curves, don't get over anxious...stitch as slowly as you are comfortable and occasionally stop your machine in the needle down position, on the outside of the shape, as often as needed and gently turn fabric and stitch a few more stitches and then repeat as needed....with triangles and stars and very sharp corners....this gets tricky....stitch to the point, needle down on outside of point, turn fabric to a 45 degree and make one-two stitches (depends on what your stitches are...this is mainly for satin stitches... and then then needle down and turn again to your line of stitching.

As said previously...practice...it will suddenly click and then you'll have it. Even after all these many years that I have been doing this, I still have my practice squares to figure out my stitch and the sizes and to figure out a corner, depending on the stitch I use.

Good luck with this and if I can can be of other assistance, please PM me....and that goes for all others who might need a little help.

Hugs and Happy New Year

I love hand appliqué and do the back basting method. You draw the shape on the back of the background fabric and lay a piece of the appliqué fabric on the top side large enough to cover the shape but not cut out. Then baste the two fabrics together from the back side following the drawing. Now turn it over and cut out the appliqué piece on the front leaving a 3/8 " or so allowance around the basting. Than begin the appliqué by taking out a couple of the basting stitches and using the holes as a guide, turn under the fabric and sew down. Doing just a few stitches at a time keeps any material from fraying (even silk) and it is very portable. No precutting, no starching, just sewing. It doesn't work for every pattern but does for most.

If you want to learn about needle turn applique, go to YouTube.com and search Missouri Star Quilt Co. tutorials. They just posted in December a great 4 part tute with Jan Patek. It really is great with explanations for points, circles, inner and outer curves. Here's a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWord...CIzuAw&index=6

I didn't even try to applique till I took a class at quilt camp. So glad I did, the instructor taught us a number of things that I wouldn't have figured out on my own. I like both machine and hand applique and decide which one to use depending on who or what the project is for.

I have tried a number of methods and now use a combination of techniques. I usually use freezer paper ,but do not starch or iron the seam allowances under. Just pinch press around the shape with my fingers. I needle turn the fabric with the freezer paper in place, then remove the paper with tweezers in the last one to one half inch of stitching. I get a nice turn on the fabric, without having to mess with the iron much.

This the the method I like best. It is very stable and you don't have to worry about the applique fraying in the warh or from wear.




QUOTE=Lisa_wanna_b_quilter;5752086]Eleanor Burns does it by sewing lightweight fusible interfacing to the shapes and then turn the shape. This pulls the edge under and you then sew it down with a stitch on your machine like the blanket stitch. There are videos on her website you can watch.[/QUOTE]

Be sure to check out Shabby Fabrics.com and her blog. She has videos on Youtube also that are very informative if you are interested in a variety of needle-turned applique. I've tried it and found it easy but time-consuming. Loved the end results, though!

Thank you for starting this thread topic. I recently decided that 2013 is the year I would like to learn applique. So many resources mentioned beyond anything I could find on my own. Shout out to all the wonderful quilters on this board - woohoo!

Well, I do raw edge applique with embroidery thread and the buttonhole stitch. Then I use Fray Check that dries clear and soft to seal the edges. It's easier than using fusible on the backside.

Enjoy! My preference is needleturn, although I do some machine applique. I detest "prepared" applique, as I think all the pressing of the applique pieces is more work than the "harder" needleturn. Elly Sienkiewicz isthe queen of hand applique and has a number of books out. Rodale Press has a wonderful beginner's book on applique that covers several methods. Whatwever method you decide to use, have a great time.

I agree. I love seeing what everyone else does in needle-turn applique, but it is definitely not my thing. The older I get and the more arthritic I get, the harder it is for me I do everything by machine except stitching down the binding.