Prism99

Does anyone know more about this? I am thinking of ordering the DVD and some of the French fuse, but would like to know a little more about it. For example, is there some reason why you couldn't do invisible machine applique on the quilt top before layering it?

EmbQuilt

Lol thought you were yelling at me that I couldn't start a new project until I quilted all my ufo's

BellaBoo

I found out many in my guild did not know the trick of using very light weight fusible on the back of the completed quilt top before adding the batting and backing. It keeps the quilt top smooth and all the seams going just where you wanted them. I use Misty Fuse. It's so soft and thin you can't tell it's added. I fuse a lot of my blocks before sewing. I didn't know it was a new technique.

BellaBoo

Here is a good description with pictures of a similar technique: http://appliquedesigns.com/softFuse.htm

Prism99

The appliquedesigns website talks about a stitch-and-turn technique, which would be similar to what Eleanor Burns recommends. The Ann Holmes technique in question does not involve stitch-and-turn. The purpose of the fusible is not to stabilize the entire quilt top after it is done; rather, the fusible holds the applique pieces in place while the quilt top is created.

ywoodruff5

I had searched for more on this technique also and was not able to get enough information to commit to purchasing either.

EmbQuilt

I've never hearts of doing this before

Prism99

I found this website and think I have figured out the process:
http://www.allianceforamericanquilts...?kid=14-31-CE8

My biggest concern is that it seems the freezer paper patterns are placed on the right side of the fabric. This means when you turn the seam allowance under to secure with a glue stick, you are not turning the edge against anything. My favorite applique technique is machine applique using freezer paper a la Harriet Hargrave, mostly because the freezer paper provides an edge that allows for very precise and smooth turns of the seam allowance. I guess I should try a few pieces with freezer paper on top and see if I can manage the turn cleanly (I kind of doubt it!, but maybe).

Also researched French fuse and it is basically nylon tricot fusible. There are heavier and thinner types of this, and I suppose the French fuse is a lighter type.

I'm still a little confused about the Ann Holmes technique. The only way for it to work, I think, is to first lay down a piece of French fuse with fusible side up over a drawing of the finished piece. Next step would be to cut out freezer paper pieces, iron them to right side of fabrics, cut with a 1/4" seam allowance, then turn the seam allowances to wrong side with glue. One would then place the applique pieces on top of the fusible using the drawing (which can be seen through the fusible) as a placement guide. Then you would iron over all of the freezer paper pieces to secure the fabric appliques to the fusible. Last step would be to remove the freezer paper pieces. If the fusing is done lightly, it would be possible to rip off a fabric piece and replace it with another, if desired. The entire piece could then be sandwiched and quilted to permanently secure the applique pieces. It looks as if Ann Holmes uses a particular kind of quilting stitch for that last process.

This process would save some time, but nylon tricot fusible does add stiffness to a quilt top, especially stiffening the drape. This is not a problem for wallhangings, but not as desirable for bed quilts. I'm thinking the same process would work better for bed quilts with Misty Fuse, which would not add stiffness; however, then you would need an extra layer of parchment paper between the base drawing and the fusible, which might obscure the design. Could get around this by tracing the design with a Sharpie onto the parchment paper, but this would add some time to the process.

I might try this with a small piece and see how I like it. As I said, my biggest problem is going to be not having a freezer paper edge to turn the seam allowance against.

Hope this makes sense to someone!!!

thrums

This thread was posted 5 years ago. Leah Day just sent an email regarding French fusing. Has anyone attempted the "No Sewing Until You Quilt It" method? I believe I have seen similar methods in the last few years that are equally useful.

The promotional videos were a bit unclear. Forgive my ignorance, basting was mentioned before quilting. What was to be basted?

Thanks!

Watson

I just bought a Hallowe'en pattern that is applique and the directions seem to say that you don't sew down any of the (fused) applique until after you have put the quilt sandwich together. Then, you use FMQ-ing to go around all the shapes. Seems really weird to me.

Watson