Whip Stitch vs. Ladder Stitch
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,198
I only use a ladder stitch when I am doing EPP, because it passes from one hex to another. You can do a longer stitch, and it isn't seen. For needle turn applique, I use the applique stitch, usually with 100 wt. silk thread or 50/2 Mettler Silk cotton thread. If I'm doing machine applique, I use either a tiny zig zag stitch with poly thread, if I don't want the stitch seen, or the double buttonhole stitch (which to me looks much nicer than the single buttonhole stitch) if I want it to be seen.
#15
I use applique stitch (never knew it was called that, but I watched this video, and that's exactly what I do http://www.connectingthreads.com/tut...itch__D54.html). I do the same stitch when attaching my binding on the back of the quilt. Almost invisible, and I've never had any issues with the stitching coming out. Of course, this is only for applique where you have turned under the raw edge. Any raw edge applique is going to fray too much for this stitch to hold. I would machine stitch with a blanket stitch or zigzag in that case.
#16
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
I've seen different teachers promote one or the other for hand applique. Leah Day actually teaches both.
But I've always wondered... does one technique last better over time than the other? I've tried them both & they both look fine after the first couple washes, but I wonder if it matters over the years. Does anyone know? Is one more secure than the other?
But I've always wondered... does one technique last better over time than the other? I've tried them both & they both look fine after the first couple washes, but I wonder if it matters over the years. Does anyone know? Is one more secure than the other?
#17
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: western arkansas
Posts: 2,077
#19
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
Yes, Kristakz, that is the stitch I had heard called a "whip stitch". It isn't the same whip stitch I would use when I used to make clothes, but I see the resemblance. I'm going to stick with that. It really does give me a smoother edge around curves & is ever so slightly less visible than the ladder stitch (neither one is very visible -- when I match the thread perfectly, you can't even see the stitches when you squint).
I still love Aurifil thread most of all. I do wish they would come out with a Silk line of their threads. I would definitely be buying those up. But I really like the idea of keeping everything cotton (fabric, batting, thread) and 50/2 Aurifil really isn't visible with an applique stitch unless you are searching for it with a magnifier. I may have to try some YLI 100wt silk in my next applique quilt just to compare. It's always fun to try something new. Just wish they sold spools of thread in something smaller than 200m because it seems like too often I pick very different colors from one quilt to the next. My next organization purchase will definitely be a clear box with plastic dowels to corral all my threads and keep them from getting dusty.
I still love Aurifil thread most of all. I do wish they would come out with a Silk line of their threads. I would definitely be buying those up. But I really like the idea of keeping everything cotton (fabric, batting, thread) and 50/2 Aurifil really isn't visible with an applique stitch unless you are searching for it with a magnifier. I may have to try some YLI 100wt silk in my next applique quilt just to compare. It's always fun to try something new. Just wish they sold spools of thread in something smaller than 200m because it seems like too often I pick very different colors from one quilt to the next. My next organization purchase will definitely be a clear box with plastic dowels to corral all my threads and keep them from getting dusty.
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