Applique tips?

[Oleg]

I'm putting together the Dresden Flower Pot that Jenny has a tutorial on, and it's going well. I'm to the point where I am now using the binding stitch to attach the prepared fabric to the background, and it seems that the pieces shift when I try to sew. My flower pot was way off and I had to pull out my stitches to straighten it back out. I used about twenty pins to keep the fence in place, those long flower head pins, and managed to poke my self a bunch of times. I used the glue stick on the flower pot, that seemed to work well. Maybe using my curved safety pins? I'm thinking the flowers themselves are going to be quite challenging.

[coffeebreak]

I taught myself how to applique...way back in the day before the internet! I loved it.. and still do. I don't go with the new fashion ways.. I just cut a coloring book page for a pattern, ironed on interfacing and cut the fabric. But to sew it on...I just used a zigzag stitch, adjusted for stitch length and zigzag width. I pinned the pieces with straight pins. Now, I use pins, but also glue sticks. Another thing I always did, was non-iron interfacing to the back of the background piece. That I pinned all around, then when done appliquing.. I'd trim it off about 1/2 inch from the stitches. If things are moving for you, I'd say use the interfacing on the back like this. I'd venture to say your pieces are moving because there is nothing for them to be held down to... or that it is not strong enough to hold firm when being sewn. Put a pin in the very middle of the piece, and work your way outward from there. Pins these days are larger than they were back then, so I bought some really short pins...but they are a bit to short (I think they are 1/2inch long!) but they do work well for the smaller parts and areas. Just use shorter pins and a firm foundation...I think you will see a difference.
Also, make sure your tension is not to tight and your zigzag width is not to close.

[Oleg]

Thanks for the tips. I'm hand sewing the pieces on, using the same stitch that I use for binding (like a blind hem stitch?) I guess gluing and pinning is the way to go to keep the shifting in check.

[Littlelisa]

Are you opposed to using Wonder Under? I use that or Heat and Bond Lite to attach my applique piece to the background fabric. Then I sew it down with a piece of stabilizer behind the background piece. The Wonder Under will prevent the applique from moving while you are sewing. Did that make sense?

[pcbatiks]

Ask Cyndiofthevortex what she used on her recent sunflower quilt. I can't remember what it was but she liked it a lot better than her first choice.

[Kgrammiecaz]

Could use 505 spray as well. Just takes a little spray to glue it down. Using elmers glue should work well, just be sure to use a hot iron to dry it. I use it to match seams and it works fantastic.