Looked at a quilt I made for my nephew 6 months ago and the applique is fraying. It looks like the fabric shrunk and pulled away from the stitch, any clue why this would happen? I'm a little bummed about it.
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Looked at a quilt I made for my nephew 6 months ago and the applique is fraying. It looks like the fabric shrunk and pulled away from the stitch, any clue why this would happen? I'm a little bummed about it.
Bump...no one?
Was it fused appliqué or the kind where you turn under the edges? Could you post a photo? That might help.
What type of stitch did you use? I agree a pic would be helpful.
Good question, bumping it up for you. Do you have a pic?
I haven't learned to applique yet so I can't offer any suggestions, but I do hope you find a way to fix it.
Yes, I'd like to know what kind of appliqué before I can help. Machine or hand?
Hi,
I'm not sure if this will help without having seen the problem but sometimes Fray-check or fray-stop can really help with appliqué satin stitching that wants to unravel.
Hope you find a solution to this,
Jill
Sometimes inexpensive flannel will do this. Also, if you used one fabric for the quilt and another for the applique they might have shrunk at different rates - if you don't prewash flannel it may noticeably shrink (causing your applique to pull). Of course, this is all assuming flannel as the fabric. As others have said, a pic and more info would be helpful :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Coppertopquilter
It was machine blanket stitched using fusible webbing. The fabric used was muslin. I wish I would have snapped a pic, but it just looks like the edges let go from the stitch, like they shrunk even though I pre-washed everything. I have been reading a lot about applique I most people recommend using a ball point needle, in this case I used a regular quilting needle. Could that have caused this?
Ok, I asked my SIL to send a pic. Attachment 70385
Bump.........
First, let me explain what I observed from your picture. It appears that you did a raw edge finish. Muslin is not the best for this technique unless you are using high quality muslin like Moda or the Legacy brand from Joanns. For an item that will be washed frequently, I would fuse a light weight interfacing to the fabric first, and then iron on your fusible webbing. Then cut out your piece. This will give the fabric some extra stability and also helps to hide the fabric show-through from the main fabric.
Your zig zag stitch looks too narrow and may not have caught enough of the fabric on the applique and the background fabric. I would use a wider zig zag and shorten up the length.
Now to fix this: You can one of two things. Remove the damaged applique and replace it using your muslin, interfacing and webbing. It will take a little time to rip out and redo, but it will probably look the best.
Or, you can make another piece and cut it just a smidge larger and redo the piece by placing the new piece over the old one. Use your muslin, but reinforce it first. Interface first, add webbing, and cut out about 1/8th inch larger. Then adhere and re-stitch. This will cover the damaged piece but will also add a little more thickness.
Hope this helps. It can be fixed. It just depends on how much time your want to spend. Good luck and I hope my comments have not been too critical. I think the use of applique work on a quilt gives the work a very special touch from the heart.
Not critical at all! I have been researching applique for weeks now and this is the first time I have seen anything about a raw edge finish! I am planning on doing a applique panel for a baby quilt, you can see the post in my profile, and I am now wondering if I need to try a different technique? Everything I search says to use a raw edge....now I am lost!
Here's a link to what my next project will be...should I use a raw edge on this?
http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/qui...look-hard.html
Raw edge is fun and easy as long as all your pieces are stable. If you don't want to do raw edge, you can sew lightweight woven interfacing to each piece, right sides together. Then a make a small slash in the middle of the interfacing only, and turn the work right side out. Press. Then you can cut out the excess interfacing, just leaving about 1/4". This gives you a nice clean and turned edge. Then you can treat it the same as raw edge method and stitch. You could use a small piece of webbing to temporarily hold each piece in place while you stitch or pin.
Another method like above is to stitch a fusible lightweight interfacing. Stitch around with the fusible side facing the right side of fabric. Then slash and turn. The fusible will now be on the outside and ready to press in place. I love this method but I have to pay attention so I don't put the fusible on the wrong side. Been there, done that!
The tree quilt and leaves is cute and should be an enjoyable project! Raw edge would be easy on this one. Try the different methods on a practice piece. See which method you like the best.
Thank you!! I'm= going to try some of the methods you mentioned and see what works best!
Looks like the muslin was a loose weave, not enough body. What kind of fusible did you use? What size ballpoint needle? With a loose weave fabric a larger size could have left a larger hole.
I remember that because I mentioned not to sew it too close to the edge. I agree with Sharyn that that might be part of the problem with your zig;zag. Plus it could of been wider or use a blanket stitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Coppertopquilter
With your leaves I'm quessing that you with be using a quilting cotton( which is a tighter weave) and fusible web. I think you will be fine with it. :)
When you did the blanket stitch did you use a stabilizer? The stabilizer keeps the stitch nice and flat..Patti
I was mistaken it was a zig zag and no, no stabilizer just some steam a seam
I like the idea of stitching the fusible to the fabric and then turning it and pressing. I am defiantly going to try that ! My last appliqué quilt was done using batiks which don't Frey as much as some cottons so I am pretty happy with it.
Since you have stated that both the applique fabric and the quilt block fabric were laundered, I am wondering what type of backing did you use on your applique pieces? I really like Heat N Bond Lite for all applique projects. It not only holds the fabric in place while the applique is being stitched down but it also keeps the fabric from fraying. Also, if a quilt is to be laundered frequently, I like to use a satin zig zag stitch to attach applique. A blanket stitch does leave space between the stitches that can fray. Another suggestion, I use tear away stabilizer on the back of all applique. This easily tears away from the applique areas that are not stitched down but does stay inside the stitches which helps to stabilize the stitching and hold it in place.
I think the zig zag could have been fine if it were tighter (satin stitch) and a little wider to catch more of the applique. The Steam a Seam should work well with this technique.
Ok, stupid question but how do I set my machine to do a satin stitch? I have a bernina.
My machine has the stitch set into it. I did a sample where all I did all different settings. I'll go look for it and take a pic. But check your manual out too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Coppertopquilter
The satin stitch is done with your zig zag stitch. I use the #20 foot on my Bernina. You need an opened toed foot so you can see what your're doing. You would set your necessary stitch width so you catch the outside edge of the applique and then a generous portion of the applique. The length of the stitch is set to a very short length. You need to practice inside and outside curves and "v" areas, like the "v" you would see in a heart pattern.
I forgot to mention that I use Sulky water soluble for stabilizer (underneath the quilt fabric). You can do as mentioned above and use a tear-away as well. It's not always necessary, but I think you'd find that a stabilizer will help you to get some nice secure stitches.
Machine Applique - Satin Stitch - Quilting Tutorial from ConnectingThreads.com
Applique - Fused Edge Prep - Quilting Tutorial from ConnectingThreads.com
Check out the links and also look at Youtube tutorials for doing satin stitch.
I started doing applique on wall hangings many years ago. There are number of them in my album. Here's one example of various stitches. You can see the satin stitch around the bird and the zig zag around the circle.
http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/mem...nfinished.html
Wow, thank you!! Your work is beautiful!
