Turned vs Raw Edge Applique
 

Hi! I'm a bit conflicted about how to approach a table runner project I'm wanting to do for Christmas gifts. The pattern I have instructs you to use fusible applique for the pieces and then shows a blanket stitch around each of the pieces. The pattern is from Europe and I've translated it with an App so obviously I've lost something in the translation ;). I really don't have any substantial experience with fusible applique. My question is, is there a fusible product that I could use for raw edge Applique, where the applique itself will not fray once it's fused, I even after washing? If so, what is it and will it make the runner stiff? I'm not against turning the edges on the applique pieces either, rather than do raw edge, as I actually prefer that look and am more comfortable with the long term wear and tear on it. I Really don't want to use a satin stitch on the project as I like the look of the blanket stitch, as it adds more to the flavour of the piece in this instance. The shapes involved would be fairly turned edge friendly :). Any insight you can offer would be appreciated!
thank you,
Kathy

Thank you Tartan! Sounds like we are of the same mind.

I do a lot of appliqué. Fused, raw edge, machine appliqué. Generally my go-to fusible ( I purchase it by the bolt) is Heat n Bond Lite. I either use a small zigzag or blanket stitch around each piece. I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve never really had any problems with fraying edges.
If you choose to do needle turn hand appliqué remember to add a seam allowance to each piece.

I much prefer the turned edge method of applique and feel it is well worth the extra time that it takes to do it. There are several helpful techniques to use. With this method, you can use a blanket stitch edge done by hand or machine.

Ok I cheat sometimes. I take a light interfacing and sew to the applique piece and then turn inside out and carefully press so as not to have the interfacing show. If its a large piece I cut the middle out of the interfacing and then place the piece and use a blanket stitch to sew it down. No turning (which I'm not good at!) and no fraying.

That's not cheating! It is just another method of applique. I'm another who prefers turned edges, but I don't do much applique because I don't enjoy all the prep work.

I'm with ArlaJo (maybe it's a Washington thing). Applique or handwork in general is not one of my better skills and I use the inside out method. I sew the interface to the top side of the fabric using tiny stitches. You can see through the fusing to the design in the fabric or you can draw it.

Yesterday I bought a box of scraps and in them were some nice smooth bunny rabbit shapes already cut out and ironed on with freezer paper but not yet trimmed out of the fabric, I'm thinking maybe I should work with them. Then the reminder comes in my mind that "yeah, but you suck at handwork -- maybe you should let someone else have them".

I really do admire y'all who do applique. One of my quilting friends did lovely work and I learned a lot from her even if I don't put that knowledge to use. Not by her, but I remember this one quilt I saw that had bunches of grapes around the border, I swear every grape was an individual circle no bigger than the eraser on the end of a pencil -- all I can say about that is "you go quilter!" because I'm not even going to start :p

https://www.connectingthreads.com/wa...sheets/p/82136 this is what I have used

Yes, I’ve ussd these too! They work great! I thought I might try the freezer paper starch appliqué method I’ve seen recently as I need to make several repeats and the technique intrigues me :). I’ll try to find the link and post it.

Thank you for the reminder to add the extra!!! And for your information on the Heat n Bond Lite. There are so many products out there!

Here’s a link for the Starch appliqué method if anyone is following and interested. https://campbellsoupdiary.blogspot.c...video.html?m=1

I have enjoyed the little bit of appliqué I’ve done. I find it relaxing to play with the fabric pieces then put the puzzle together and stitch them around, by Machine... hand stitching is a bit tedious to me. Anyway, it’s a nice change of pace from rotary cutting and machine piecing.

I tend to like the looks and outcome of turned appliqué but I’ve only done a few baby quilts and since I know they are going to get a lot of washing I feel more comfortable with turned appliqué too.

I make plastic templates and iron the seam allowances down over them, usually using Best Press or sizing. When they cool, I stitch with a straight, zig zag, or blanket stitch. Make sure to get the template plastic that you can iron.

I'm like some others here who don't enjoy the tedious part of applique. If you want a crisp edge, probably the turn under method is recommended but, if you want quicker, I'd go for the fusible and a machine stitched edge. Like you, my experience is that the satin stitch is a bit stiff. My thought is that a table runner probably won't be washed as much as a baby quilt or even place mats so perhaps fraying may not be so much of a consideration. Could it be considered a future design feature?

I also have done applique the way Arla-Jo mentioned but stitch it down like I would do needle turn applique. The edges are already securely turned under so you don't need to worry about fraying. I have used muslin and even scrap fabric on the back but you can't fuse it down unless you add a little bit of washable school glue which I use in my projects quite often.. I put a little glue on the back and press it.

When I first started doing appliques, I had watched a series by Eleanor Burns on it and she used fusible interfacing and did it similar to ArlaJo's method, without the ironing of course, until she fused it on. I still like this method - I make sure to really push out the edges and fingerpress the piece before fusing it in place. Sometimes I use the blanket piece and other times I treat it as turned edge applique, depending on the what the project is.

No one has mentioned a product that was made to be permanent, so I will. I have used “Ok To Wash It” by Aleene’s. I discovered it years ago for putting appliqués on cut away sweatshirt cardigans we all made in the 80’s. I haven’t tried it on a quilt but I would assume it would work on a quilt. It did work on a pillow I did for a friend with her marriage announcement, but that was a transfer, and it lasted several years, right up until the divorce, when she put a new cover on it. Lol.

I have tried using the turned interfacing method, but found it didn’t work well when turning inside corners on a shape. It was a maple leaf. Perhaps I was doing it wrong? I think it would be great if there were only outside turns and corners. Even though it’s just a table runner, I still plan on embellishing with quilting so I need a needle to be able to go through whatever fusible I would use. I think I’ll just turn the edges because in the end I’ll be happier and less worried about it.

I was blessed to take an applique class from Pat Campbell many years ago. I learned to make tiny stitches so that my applique floats on the surface and no stitches show. I love looke at the pillows on my sofa using her method of applique.

Thanks, Iceblossom. I tried the inside out method and it worked fairly well for my first attempt at applique. My 5 pointed stars were OK, not good. Now I see how they could be improved - "tiny stitches". That would keep the edges and points crisper.

Somehow, that never occurred to me.

bkay

That would have been awesome. Her work is beautiful.

Tiny little stitches with a thinner needle than I generally use for piecing. Trimming is also really important, clip down to the seam line at sharp angles.

You also need a couple of handy "tools" that can be knitting needles or those orange sticks for manicures to help turn the seams and keep the points or curves or whatever crisp. You want something that you can maneuver around but not too sharp so you go through the seams. Nice thing with the flip over technique is you can cut the slit really big/side to side even and get in there for the proper shapes.

My friend that I learned from was a big believer in silk thread for hand stitching down the sides and she used an Ott light both for good color match and to help her see. With my vision issues I find the Ott light necessary for my hand stitching of bindings which is about all I do in terms of handwork, I use a big needle and don't think I could even thread one of her hand stitching needles, probably can't even see a single thickness of that thread any more for that matter!

I had another friend who used to make simply glorious appliqued wall art using the mono-filament clear thread and the smallest zigzag her machine had. At least back then that didn't wash well and didn't iron at all (melts!), but I was in awe of her abilities.

I’ve Appliqued with Superior monopoly by machine and a tiny blanket stitch which worked really well. I used the “smoke” colour on darker fabric and it’s nearly invisible. The monopoly is very fine and doesn’t melt as it is polyester, not nylon.

I am just starting to try the freezer paper turn under method for a new BOM. I sure needed a lot of new tools for the job, but I am having a lot of fun learning.

ME TOO! or I use wonder under and blanket stitch

Those who do the inside out method, which interfacing do you use?

I use light weight, non-woven, iron on interfacing. I sew bumpy side to proper side of my fabric. I iron it in place, stitch it down, then cut away all but 1/4” from the back so it stays soft for use.

I've done a couple projects where I pinked the edges and used a straight stitch not right on the edge to apply. Sure it will fray but I liked the casual look of the whole project.