I've done very, very little machine applique, maybe only twice. I'm working on the first of a 16 block BOM so if there is something different I should do, now is the time to do it.

I'm using a blanket stitch and besides have to be so precise around the edge, I wonder about the little bits of the fabric that escape. Is this normal and acceptable? Should I be using a satin stitch instead?

I think your applique looks wonderful.

It looks fine to me.

Looks very nice and perfect. I use zig zag stitch but yours is nicer

It looks great! I use that stitch too, and I have washed it and it still looks nice. You may need to clip them from time to time tho.

It looks real nice to me.

Thank you. I'm not used to the raw edge and worried about the threads. I tried several zig zag stitches on my machine and didn't like how they looked as a satin stitch.

I'll go with this and not worry about it then.

great job on that Southern Gentlemen. i like the color choice very much better than theirs.

I love this fabric too. Maybe I will call it Southern Lady instead. :D I received the sashing and border fabric the other day since I only had a FQ set of this Twilight Frost.

I watched a Sharon Schamber video on machine applique and she, like me, doesn't like that flattened, ironed on look of fusible. What she does is put a tiny bead of glue on the back around the edge then irons it down and sews it. It gives it more of a hand applique look.

I would have tried it if I had seen it before doing this block so will try that on the next one. If it goes good I can re-do this first block.

I also watched her video on doing applique on a long arm. It was fantastic!!! I will have to try that when I get mine.

if you do it with glue (she uses the water soluble) and ever wash it, won't the edges fray? the iron on bonding keeps that from happening. with the bonding, you would bond first and then cut. just about all your stray edges would be bonded.

i do like the glue for other purposes. but i'm afraid of it for this purpose.

i still love yours. are you doing the whole set? i'm saving mine up to do as a whole set. i don't like to start a project and find out i missed a block somewhere along the way.

It looks really nice. I too recognized Souther Gentlemen. I haven't started it but hoping to make it someday. I have trapunto in mind.

Your stitches look really nice. This is what I do so I don't have to worry about the stitches.
Before I start I set the machine to straight stitch and take a few stitches on the outside edge of the design. The engage the blanket stitch. Sew around the design and come around to the area where the straight stitches are I do blanket stitch over the straignt stitches. Switch again to straight stitch and take a few straight stitches. Take a few stitches in place to close and your stitches will never unravel. If you are concerned of the raw edges showing, reduce the length of your stithes. Make sure the horizontal stitch is right outside the border of the applique barely touching.

One more thing...If the blanket stitch will not meet again (not every design ends where it started), I take a few straight stitches forward, the same number backwards, and start then the blanket stitch. When done, sew blanket stitch all the way to the end and take a few straight stitches on reverse to secure the blanket stitch.

Blanket stitch is very pretty but it does come undone if not secured properly. I found this youtube with a few useful hints.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTYtBtprJ2M

I sometimes use the double blanket stitch because it has double the numbers of layers of thread to secure the applique.

Was I clear as mud?

Hi Barbara, I agree with you. I can not think of using glue on my machine. Fusible stays on the fabric after is cold but glue could go into the machine.

I've seen lots of references to using glue on bindings to hold them while sewing. Sharon uses it for that too. I'm going to try that especially for hand sewing the back and not getting stuck with pins.

Sure does look good to me!

I like it.

I do fusible web applique all the time. I trace my designs onto the fusible web and before fusing it to the fabric, I cut out the center of the web so that all i am fusing is 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch around the outer edge. The center stays soft and you don't get that 'flat ironed' look to your applique. :)

S.D.

I always tell myself I will do that hte next time and then find myself forgetting and fusing the whole thing. Luckily I use steam a seam light and is not too stiff.

Great job! Couldn't look better if you did it by hand. :thumbup:

nice work

I think your machine work looks beautiful :D:D:D

I get a few threads here and there sticking out and I just trim them back. It seems to happen the most when sewing in one direction, against the grain.

As to using Elmers instead of fusible? I did some experimenting, and after a couple of washes the edges did not look nearly as nice as the ones that were fused. The edges tend to want to fray out more. It would be great to use with satin stitches, but I wouldn't recommend it for a more open stitch.
The fusible just around the edges like SD explained IMHO is probably the best route to go :D:D:D

southern gentleman:)? where did you get the pattern? would you post a picture? please?

That's a great tip ... to take a few straight stitches... then blanket and then strait stitches when you get back to the start. Never thought of that. :mrgreen:

http://www.fatcatpatterns.com/block_of_the_month.htm

it's a month-by-month. they only keep it on for one month. if you miss it, it's gone.

Looks great Pam! The blanket stitch is my favorite for applique. Sometimes the satin stitch is just a bit too much.

LOOKING GREAT!

Pam, I think it looks great!

And, I really enjoyed the video that was posted about how to use the blanket stitch on applique. It was very informative!

Thank you for the web site reference. It is always so helpful when I can view a YOU TUBE video after reading all of your recommendations for any part of quilting.

I watched the Sharon Schamber video again on raw edge applique and she uses liquid stitch around the edge, not the Elmer's School glue. She says it doesn't fray.

I have to go to Home Depot and get the 1 1/4" EMT pipe for my new longarm and Joann's is near there so I'm going to stop and get some. I really don't like the look of the fusible so I'll try a few more methods.

I need a few other supplies anyway (or I'm sure I'll see some that I need :-D )

http://www.fatcatpatterns.com/block_of_the_month.htm

it's a month-by-month. they only keep it on for one month. if you miss it, it's gone.[/quote]

Not really gone, just not free anymore. Each one is $2.00 after the first of the following month.

Not really gone, just not free anymore. Each one is $2.00 after the first of the following month.[/quote]

[true. to me, if have to pay for a pattern, it's not there. LOL!! but i would look carefully at the picture and make it up to kind of match. BFW ]

If you look closely you will see that the same shapes are used throughout the Southern Gentleman BOM. If you miss a month you can probably make it up from the other ones.

I got the Liquid Stitch. Isn't it amazing that a little trip for glue can turn into $60? I got a yard of fabric for the IRR center that I need to do the 5" round on, marking pens, a package of empty bottles with 4 sizes of metal tips for the glue, sewing machine needles, and a small pressing and cutting board.

Also got the pipe for the LA frame which came to $41.

:thumbup:

This is the first block for my grandaughter's quilt so I tried the Liquid Stitch. Wonderful!!! I will never have to use fusable again! I didn't use stabalizer either. I starched the fabrics good, cut the templates out of stiff, thin cardboard, traced/cut/glued. It didn't move one bit while sewing and the edges stayed down.

I made the blanket stitch smaller and closer than the last attempt. Sharon Schamber said 1.8 x 2.0 but my machine only does .5 increments so I did 2.0 x 2.0.

I have the purple and the green thread that matches the fabric but not the turquoise or orange so I'm just going to do all of the flowers in purple thread.

the purple looks great. nice block.

is that a dogwood flower?

Thank you. I really like the applique method.

I don't know if another name is Dogwood. It's from EQ6 and I took just this part out of another applique block called Topeka Rose.

The blanket stitch is perfect for this style of applique...it looks great! Satin stitch is more for 'fussy' styles, or Balimore Album style.... you picked the perfect stitch for this project. It looks great!
Kind Regars,
MaryAnna

Looks good to me. You are doing a nice job.

I think your applique looks wonderful. I have done needle turn applique, but haven't tried it on the machine yet. That is on my list of to-dos.

I also really like the colors you chose. Thanks for the heads up on the pattern. It is intrigued me.