This is my first attempt at appligue, it will be a pot holder. How and When is one supposed to quilt, FMQ, SID, anything?For this ome I simply stitched a cross between the leaves to hold the contraption together before binding it ( the wonky outline will be hidden). Please give me some over-all advice, I'd love to learn to do more applique work. Thanks in advance! Edited: Colors look bad, the base is lime/apple green

Your potholder is beautiful!! :D:D:D

Usually the quilting is done after the applique is applied, but in some cases it may be done after the quilting. No rules, usually it is personal preference.

Many outline the applique to quilt, sometimes you may want to do some quilting in the center of it too.

It also depends on the batting you choose, what are the quilting requirements on the package?

So pretty.

You did a very nice job!

Thank you for your encouraging answers.

There is a video on QuiltersTV where they actually use the applique stitching as their quilting stitches in sort of a quilt as you go technique. I've not tried it, but it might work well on your potholder.

As Amma said, the quilting is generally done after the applique. Echo quilting is very popular around appliques, but really it's up to you.

If your block is a bit wonky, that probably comes from the pulling of the applique stitches. I cut my block oversize and starch it heavily. After I applique my pieces on, I square up the block. That works better for me.

I like going just inside..For some reason my applique fabric comes out of the stitching & frays...

When I applique small item, I sandwich the project and do the applique through all three layers. That is all the quilting it will need.

Same here. And, I think your potholder is very nice just the way you have done it. You have to decide for each individual piece sometimes.

That is one pretty, cheerful potholder.