Thanks Sharon... Im fairly new at doing applique but once I found a way that I was comfortable with, I improved quite a bit. If I compare the three or four quilts with applique in them that I've done in the last year, I can really see an improvement. My friends at the quilt shop helped me.... they are some wonderful women with LOADS of patience. Getting the right size needle was the biggest help. Im using a very small, very sharp applique needle. It's bent from use but it's perfect.
What type of applique do you do? I love freezer paper or poster board... I cut it out from the back afterwards.
Good luck on your project.... I would love to see a picture of what you're working on.

Such nice compliments... my head is going to be to big for my body soon! LOL
Kellie- Glad to meet another quilter from this part of MI... Did you happen to attend the Petoskey Quilt show?

BEAUTIFUL!!!! Man you do some awesome work!!! I adore the quilt and the applique is really stunning!!! Great job!!

Such nice compliments... my head is going to be to big for my body soon! LOL
Kellie- Glad to meet another quilter from this part of MI... Did you happen to attend the Petoskey Quilt show?

Well I've tried the needle turn--getting better...but not great. Right now I'm making a quilt for my grandson and it has animals on it...mustang, Llama, Rabbit, Turtle, etc...the pattern was one I saw on a site mentioned in this forum. I am basically using a combination of Starch turn and double freezer paper (also recommended from this site). It seems to be getting easier, although the small designs are a challenge that I'm leaving until I get the majority of the blocks done. Taking my time, but loving it so far. I'm also washing each block in the washing machine after I'm done to make sure theres no fraying--best to know BEFORE completing :) I've also added trapunto to the animals and I'm buttonholing by hand. Here are some of my blocks so far.

WOW... those are so cool! I want to make a western style quilt for my brother in law (it's his house we rent in the winter down there). Those would be perfect for that.
Your buttonhole stitch is really nice. I havent tried trapunto yet. Can you tell me where the post about the starch turn is? I havent heard of that one. I use freezer paper with the "gluey" side out... to catch my seam allowances. If I'm using poster board, I print off my applique shapes onto the board, cut them out then baste them to the wrong side of my fabric. Cut it out with seam allowances, then needle turn applique it into place. Takes a bit of time but usually works well.

WOW... those are so cool! I want to make a western style quilt for my brother in law (it's his house we rent in the winter down there). Those would be perfect for that.
Your buttonhole stitch is really nice. I havent tried trapunto yet. Can you tell me where the post about the starch turn is? I havent heard of that one. I use freezer paper with the "gluey" side out... to catch my seam allowances. If I'm using poster board, I print off my applique shapes onto the board, cut them out then baste them to the wrong side of my fabric. Cut it out with seam allowances, then needle turn applique it into place. Takes a bit of time but usually works well.

Beautiful! I can't believe it's only 24 in. square! What tiny pieces! You do lovely work.

Here is the address for the applique blocks. You can see that the little pieces have still be be placed on my blocks. http://www.fatcatpatterns.com/native_american.htm
The starch method was in another book or show, it's basically where you cut out your template, place it on your scrap of fabric, cut around about 1/4 larger than the template and paint liquid starch on the edge. Then take a hot iron and with the help of a stilleto or any pointy thingy (technical term :)) iron the edges over so it gives you a real crisp applique...then remove the template.

Great Job! You are talented! I especially love the border.