Thoughts and experiences with raw edge applique.....
 

I am considering making a quilt using raw edge appliques, however I am concerned about how raw edge holds up to regular usage and washing in a washing machine? Anyone got any experiences or tips?

I did it once. I didn't mind the look so much at first, but I don't care for it after it's washed a few times. I guess it looks "ufinished" to me. If I ever do it again, I will use batiks because they ravel less. Consider the use...it would be ok on a wall hanging, but I won't put it on a kids quilt again. Guess I should have thought of that before I made it.

Since you stitch down the edges they are in essence, finished, the difference is they are not turned under. I do a lot of applique, I securily stitch my edges - I do not satin stitch (personally don't like the look) but I do use a small, tight blanket or zigzag stitch often. I have quilts that have held up well through use & laundering for years. It just depends on how you finish your edges

I was never pleased with the look of raw applique so I am mostly doing turn under using freezer paper but still quilting it using a buttonhole stitch.

I have only done this on wall hangings that are not washed. I would be afraid to try it on a utility quilt. I would not want my hard work to fall apart.

I have more than one quilt like this. If you look at the machine applique stitch you will see that it is much like a finished seam inside a garment. It is meant to not come out or let things unravel. I wash mine and the stitches are small enough and close enough together that it doesn't unravel. I use the machine blanket stitch rather than just a zigzag. If you don't know what I mean google it on utube. I learn a lot of my quilting there. The really awesome thing about machine applique is there is so much more option as to the shapes you use because you don't have to think about seam allowances and turning things under.

Thank you for raising this interesting question. Jenny has a new tutorial out that uses raw edge appliqué. I have picked out my fabrics for this, and I am using batiks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcj9I...VFDHmDXqCIzuAw

She says that cutting on a bias edge keeps it from fraying. I hope she's right! It's such a cute pattern.

I did raw edge appliqué on a quilt for a young DGS. It had animals on it and it had held up well to numerous washings. I used the blanket stitch and a fine zig zag. Go for it.

Friends of mine are using the 80 weight Deco Bob thread for their raw edge appliques. You literally can't see the thread after the stitching is done. I don't have any info about how well it holds up to washing.

at quilt expo last year some of us took a class where raw edge applique was practiced on a kitchen towel. It is washed
at least once a week and is holding up very well. Not the same as a quilt but a place to practice where you have not invested a lot of time and money.