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.

Most of my quilts are appliquéd using a fusible and small blanket stitch. I've never had had one come apart yet!

Raw edge is the only type of applique I do. How the quilt is going to be used determines how I finish the edges. If it's a wall hanging I do a straight stitch with invisible thread right along the edge. If it's for a bed quilt I do blanket stitch with either matching or contrasting thread depending on the look I'm going for. I have also used a straight stitch on a bed quilt applique and I like the way it looks after it's been washed. I don't ever use a satin stitch. I don't like the way it looks.

Since there are a variety of ways to finish raw edge applique, I think the question might be which finish is most appropriate for which type of quilt. I've had satin stitch and blanket stitch hold up just fine with laundering. Personally I would only use the straight edge stitching with a wall hanging that was not intended to be washed.

I have done raw edge applique on baby quilts that get washed a lot. I used a fusible to secure the applique and then did a tight decorative stitch around the edge. My machine was older so it didn't have a blanket stitch so I just picked another stitch that looked fine. You can also do a small zig zag if you don't have a blanket stitch on your machine. The applique looks crisp and neat even after washing. I did quilt over the applique as well as some of them were quite large. I'm usually very fussy about things being finished but this worked for me.

My mantra for sewing is, "if my machine can't do it, neither can I." I have been blessed with talented machines. Not me, the machines.

I also like applique. And another confession, I like to experiment. And to cut to the chase so if you don't want to read the rest of this verbosity you can get the no-frills message: If you have interesting stitches available to you, consider busing them for raw edge applique. And consider threads that will unite the design with the feel of whatever you are piecing. Now keep reading if you have the inclunation. Otherwise, I wish you a gentle day with time to sew.

I finished a Halloween quilt top (UFO to date) and had lots of bits and pieces left over. Ha! Play time! Flag, pillow, pillowcase, totebag - who knows - just a finished square to this point. But a rather unprepossessing square. Ah, applique to the rescue. A large, black "Boo." Wonky cattiwampus placement. My usual method for securing applique - place on background and sew around very close to the edge - pins, small stitches, loosened upper tension in case of extreme need to rip.

My elderly Bernina 1630 has a respectible number of interesting built-in stitches and the capability of altering them (wider, longer, 180 degree rotation, etc.) I picked a stitch that attracted me for this Halloween experiment, manipulated the stitch, and picked thread - varigated. Note: When all was said and done, I decided the thread pick was important - like the stitch pick. Anyway, varigated embroidery thread, Halloweenish colors.

Back to the stitch issue. The one I picked looked as though I was scribbling on a piece of paper - sort of an impromptu, ratty satin stitch (forgive me Bernina). No regular width EXCEPT on one side and no regular stitch spacing; just back and forth zig zag, alfresco. Perfect for appliqueing around the edge of a big, black "Boo" on an appliqueing/piecing experiment.

My guild and I enjoyed the result. They are used to me hauling in strange things and are very gracious with suggestions and kind words.

Again, consider whatever stitches you have on your machine as well as what thread would add interest as well as attaching the applique to th background. And do have a gentle day with time to sew.

Thank you for your patience,

Pat

Thank you one and all for your very valuable input - i really appreciate all your input. I think I will certainly play with the stitch selection on my machine and experiment.

I agree . I do tight blanket stitch and they turn out nice. I am in process of making a double wedding ring in batiks and doing that. Works fine

My DM did all hers that way and never fused them and they fray a lot now that they are older. I fuse mine and have no problems with them.

I've used it on wall hangings for many years and have also started using raw edge applique on quilts. I recently finished a full size quilt for our DGD last Christmas (she loved it by the way), and I had flowers, hearts, butterflies and dragonflies on the quilt using raw edge applique. I finished it at 5 PM Christmas Eve and we were supposed to be at my son's by then, but I had to finish the binding first. My son grabbed the quilt as soon as we walked in the door (it was hidden in a black trash bag just to be on the safe side, he put it in the washer and then the dryer - it looked great. Since I used a fairly small straight stitch along with some small zig-zag stitches, I think it should hold up, especially since the appliques were put on using Wonder Under, so I think the appliques were fairly sturdy.

I've made 2 raw edge applique quilts, never again. I still do raw edge applique, but I use a closely spaced blanket stitch. Don't ever use homespun fabrics as they will fray beyond the stitching.

What do use to fuse with? Does it make the quilt stiff? Is there a fusible out there that is soft and flexible after it is applied?

I made the bom from last year on The Quilt Show designed by Sue Nichols and her sister Pat Holly. It had lots of raw edged applique which was fused down then the blanket stitch used around all the edges. Sue said she has never had a problem with fraying. I washed the quilt: no fraying of course has been washed only once. Used steam a seam light using the edge technique which only has the fusing around the edges.

I've washed mine numerous times and never had fraying. I encourage anyone to try this. It is really fun.

When I use iron-on applique, I decide which look I want. If it is casual, I do a straight stitch about 1/16 - 1//8" off the edge. If I want to "hide" the stitches I use either monofilament thread OR matching color with a zig-zag. I just did one where the size of the zig-zag was 1.5x1.4 and it sure makes the stithes blend. When I want to showcase the stitches I use the blanket stitch and take my time. 2.5x2.5 is the smallest stitch I do with the blanket stitch. Usually I go to 3.5x2.5 or so. All of those options hold up well. Only the straight stitch option give a bit of a raveled edge.

almost all of my quilts are raw edge parrots. I have sold many of them & have never had a complaint. I am not sure what the stitch is called, but I call it a 3 step xig zag. I believe it is for elastic...lol!
I make sure things are lined up so that I have a full stitch down, a full stitch up (which is hitting the edge of the bird) then a full stitch up. I stitch in the same color as the pieces I am working with. You'll have to adjust your machine's settings until you get the desired length/width but I think it looks more "invisible" compared to a bulky looking regular zig zag. I do use a fusable on bigger pieces like the one I just finished for a customer as the birds are life size, about 34" long. I'll post a pic in the picture section. I do not fuse the quilts with multiple birds as they are only 10" squares.