What is your favorite applique method? Needleturn, starch, glue stick, etc by hand? Or is it turned edge, raw edge, etc by machine? I'm still saving my pennies to buy my background. I hope people are still doing Kim's projects and this blog is still active when I finally get to start.
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Hi Eileen, I prefer needle turn applique, but don't use the glue as I'm just too heavy handed so prefer a few quick basting stitches on each piece... for me it is worth the little extra effort to get a flat result. I do love reverse applique and find that it is easier for me to be neater with that method than the 'applied', but only use that method where applicable, ooops excuse the pun.Thanks for a great blog.
ReplyDeleteCheers M
I do needleturn applique. And I am as slow as "mud" getting my first panel done. So, don't worry there will still be some of us around when you begin.
ReplyDeleteI tend to stick with hand basting and needle [well, more like 'finger'] turn. But I haven't tired holding down miles of stems, so I might go for the glue then.
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen, I'll still be plugging away on Flower Pots so don't worry about not having company. I have always done plain needle turn but recently switched to the Piece o Cake method of template making, plastic overlays, finger pressing and hand applique. No fusing, no glue, no basting, no ironing. Look in any of their books or see if your library has their terrific video. Are you buying background for Roseville?
ReplyDeleteHello Eileen.
ReplyDeleteI have tried every type of applique method there is and i find that the freezer paper method it for me. Simply cut out paper and iron on top trace around it with a fine tip Pigma Pen use tiny dots of glue baste it to glue it down then use small stitches to do the needleturn. I also cut all my shapes on the bias not the straight of grain as this elliminates frayed edges and its much easier to turn. Then i have 2 blocks going at a time so when i have finished a shape and have thread left i use the thread on a matching colour on the other block as i hate wasting thread its amazing how much you actually get done by doing it this way.
Adele in Oz
Eileen,
ReplyDeleteI like needle turn but have tried other methods and sometimes they are more appropriate. Don't worry about "catching up" this is going to take me a long time to finish. I am just going to enjoy it, I will still be here plugging along!
I iron freezer paper templates to the top of the fabric and use it as a guide to pinch under my edges. Then I baste those turned edges right through the freezer paper so it stays in place. I mark my placement for the pieces on the background with a wash out marker. I pin in place with short pins. i don't like the idea of glue being in the fabrics.
ReplyDeleteAdele..I hate wasting thread too, so if I have some left in my needle I use it to baste the next shapes, or pull it out and lay it over the arm of my chair so I can use it later. I also reuse the basting threads several times before I toss them. There's usually a small nest of threads on the arm of my chair. ;)
Hi Anne.....I have learn't never to leave my thread on the arm of the chair. My little Shihtzu thinks its a must to sit on my lap as i applique (I don't mind i use him as a cushion to bring the applique closer lol)
ReplyDeletehe had a thread hanging out of his mouth one day little did i know that when i pulled it there was a needle on the end. I have learned my lesson about needles and threads on the arms of chairs :)
I prefer freezer paper and starch. Sometimes the design isn't conducive to that method and I resort to needle turn, but I'm really not very good at that.
ReplyDeleteNeedleturn here! It's just too easy to not have to bother with all that prep stuff. I do baste the larger pieces, though, which I see others do also. Glad to know I'm not alone in needing to do that. ;) I have a friend that just uses a big ol' safety pin in the middle of her pieces, and I've never been sure how she does that!
ReplyDeleteI love to do starch and heat resistant templates. It gives me nicer finished pieces.
ReplyDeleteWhile your waiting to get your fabric I would try each technique and see what you like best. There is no right or wrong.
Great question to ask, Eileen! I'm still exploring and love to hear the different methods people use and why. I started out using the freezer paper/ironing/starch method and agree that it makes beautiful edges, but I found it was taking me longer to prepare than to stitch! So I am always looking for a less involved prep method. I took a class with Becky Goldsmith and am using her method of tracing, pinching and pinning which I like for now. But I am no longer making her top vinyl placement guide and instead using my light box (i.e. my glass topped coffee table and a loose kitchen undercounter light) under the copied paper pattern and background fabric to place and pin the applique pieces. One of those basting methods may be next up for me! And I am slow too and wondering who else would still be posting and glad to hear there will be quite a few of us.
ReplyDeleteI do needle turn applique and use freezer paper for my pattern pieces. I iron the freezer paper to the top of my fabric with a hot iron and use it as a guide to turn under the edges as I go. I use an overlay (which used to be made from tracing paper) but with the newer Kim McLean patterns, I can see through the tissue paper patterns and use that as my overlay. I use applique pins to pin my pieces in the seam allowance and I am ready to sew. Lately I've sometimes use a dab of fabric glue stick on some of the larger pieces to hold them in place. With this method you do not have to mark on your fabrics or background.
ReplyDeleteI use a variety of applique techniques - sometimes there are a variety of techniques used in just one project. Whatever works for the particular piece I am appliqueing is what I will use. I do tend to prefer needle turn, although I use a moistened toothpick. ; ) Try a multitude of techniques and see what works best for you.
ReplyDelete