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Thread: Learning to applique

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    MamaKitty's Avatar MamaKitty is offline Junior Member
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    Default Learning to applique

    Question from a totally green newbie. I'd like to learn to applique but I'm a bit daunted by all the different approaches. Needle turn appeals to me but the seeming ease of using fusibles looks interesting. I'm sure there are as many opinions as there are appliquers here but what method would you suggest as my first try? I haven't done much (any!) hand sewing in recent years so the instant gratification of "fuse it down and buttonhole around it" looks interesting.

    Dorothy in Denver

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    ilive2craft2's Avatar ilive2craft2 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Learning to applique

    I am no help - the only applique I have done has been with my embroidery machine. I still cut the pieces wrong......ugh!! I should try it again.
    Lisa

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    pcbatiks's Avatar pcbatiks is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Learning to applique

    I would recommend the fusible method .........I guess because that is what I am most familiar with....what I have done so far is fused machine applique. Needle turn applique is very pretty.......if you do a lot of hand work give it a try. That is something I want to learn one of these days.....but haven't done mcu handwork since I was a kid. If you are undecided try a small sample of each and see which one grabs your interest the most. Good Luck!
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    Sharyn J's Avatar Sharyn J is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Learning to applique

    I like to do machine applique. I don't have the patience to do the hand work of turned applique, but I admit that my grandmas did it that way and the work was beautiful. If you enjoy hand-work, try the method, otherwise, you can get some pretty nice looking applique work by machine stitching.

    I usually do raw edge applique. There are so many nice iron-on products that it makes it easy. The double-sided products like featherweight Heat & Bond are easy to use. There are many brands available. Once you've set your designs on the quilt and bonded them to the fabric, the fun begins with the stitching around each motif. Just go slow and take your time. You might want to look for some tutorials on YouTube or blogs that will teach you the technique.

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    K. McEuen's Avatar K. McEuen is online now Moderator
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    Default Re: Learning to applique

    The really lightweight fusible makes it so easy (as long as you remember to fuse it on before you cut out the shape, yeah, that was a huge oops) and then just blanket stitch, or zig zag or some other stitch you like on your machine. Sometimes I've even used spray baste to hold a shape in place if it is a simple one.

    If you are looking for simple designs to start with, google "coloring book pages" and you will get a whole bunch of free, easy pictures to work with.
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    mom4him's Avatar mom4him is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Learning to applique

    I have done both needle turn and machine applique. For me it depends on the look I am after, the time I want to spend(whether I am looking for something to do while watching TV or want to be more secluded at my machine). Machine is much sturdier like for children's quilts.

    I have done more needle turn but they have all been wall hangings.
    pagirleh likes this.
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    MamaKitty's Avatar MamaKitty is offline Junior Member
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    Default Re: Learning to applique

    My machines are all straight stitch only so I might try finishing the edges by hand with the fusible method. Thanks, y'all, for the information.

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    SandyWhite's Avatar SandyWhite is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Learning to applique

    Dorothy, try all the methods and then stick to the method or methods that please you. I've tried everything over the last two decades, including various methods of machining pieces on fabric but truly enjoy needle turn by hand.
    SandyWhite
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    kensington's Avatar kensington is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Learning to applique

    I've very new to applique, and I like the fuse method. I like a blanket stitch the best for my edge, but plan to experiment more.

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    RiverMomm is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Learning to applique

    As someone who has (and had) no idea how to applique, I found using basic shapes the best. Then fused each shape, one at a time, on the quilt to zig zag around.

    Here are my applique quilts-the first one I did is at the bottom and is the simple sail boat quilt.

    http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/mem...ue-quilts.html

    Corners were a challenge. Also finding the lightest weight fusable (I am limited on what I can buy locally). I did use 505 spray at times. I drew up the image or used a coloring book image (outline image), but maybe getting a applique pattern with simple directions would be best for the first time so you know which piece to place first.

    Instead of a pattern, I just decided what I wanted and jumped in. Sometimes its better not to know what you are getting yourself into because you might not try it.

    I say, GO for it! Have fun and have a good seam ripper handy.
    KerryA likes this.

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