What is the easiest and quickest way to applique by hand?
 

My 80 year young mom has always wanted a sunbonnet sue quilt. She has among other medical issues, lung cancer and has been given 6 months to live. I would Love to make her a lap quilt. I have seen a method of sewing the right side of pattern pieces to fusible interfacing then turning right side out. shaping the pieces then ironing it onto your block in the proper place. That way it is "held in place" so you can sew around the piece. I am no good at using a sewing machine to applique. I have tried that in the past and was lousy at it. Thank you.

I've not done that with fusible but have done that process. Iwas never particularly good with machine applique either until backing web interfacing as you describe. I find if I go very slowly with the machine, using a blanket stitch, I can have a pretty decent end result.

You could use wasable glue to hold them in place while sewing.

Why not just do fusible applique and when you quilt do an all over smallish meander. I think that would be the quickest way. Today's fusibles are pretty strong and the all over quilting will hold them in place without having to stitch around all the edges. There are many "soft" fusibles on the market now such as Mistifuse and softfuse. My condolences on your mom's diagnosis.

Do the fusible, but don't "applique" it. Stitch it down with a straight stitch and invisible tread. Then do as Feline Fanatic says and meander on it. It will look gorgeous and last forever. Quilt in a Day has preprinted fusible for Sue.

I am planning on using this method as well. You would have to place the fabric-R side and interfacing -sticky side- together, sew around the edge. Cut close to the stitched line, cut a hole in the fusible and turn right side out, and just iron on. I would draw the designs on the non-sticky side of the interfacing before cutting out pieces - just makes it easier to sew those outlines. Am sorry for your mum's illness.

I agree with all the suggestions listed above. I would find a used book of Eleanor Burns QIAD Sunbonnet Sue book. You can even buy the pre-printed fusible. If you have a blanket stitch on your DSM, that is the best and easiest way to applique. Just take you time and don't press the petal to the metal. Here are the pre-printed interfacing. Not bad price for getting 4 Sues from 1 panel.

http://sunbonnetsue.com/64b2b/produc...roducts_id=538

You can also set the blocks on point which will make it so that you can finish the quilts with less blocks. Use rick rack and trims to decorate the dress. Good Luck.

..or you can use the blind hem stitch on your machine, if set right it will just take a teeny bite at edge of appliqué, just like needle turn....that is with using fusible interfacing technique

I just checked ebay, I typed in sunbonnet sue fabric panel and the have several for about 13.00. All you would have to do is quilt it. God bless you and your mother. I hope she surprises everyone and lives longer than you think .

Looks like you have some pretty good tips. I have nothing to add but good luck, I'm sure it will be gorgeous and sending prayers for your mother and family to help make her comfortable.