Freezer paper applique question

Let's see if I follow your method, Trixie. First, you iron the freezer paper template to the wrong side of the fabric, right? Then you glue the seam allowance or turn-under to the underside of the freezer paper? Just wondering and trying to follow. Freezer paper is rather sturdy. The addition of the glue is going to give a strong bond. Probably if you gave the finished appliqué a serious soak you could get rid of the glue and weaken the paper as well. Maybe you could not use the glue. A little lid of spray starch would work as well (painted on with a Q-tip). You may not be able to completely remove the bits of paper. The National Safety Council has reported no deaths by paper bits in appliqué. Polly

"Trixie" I generally use the freezer paper technique when appliqueing, but have a

I know it adds another step or two, but I no longer use freezer paper for applique. I use Misty Fuse on a large piece of stabilizer and then use the stabilizer like I would use the freezer paper. From there the system is pretty much the same. But I don't worry about removing the outline of stabilizer. For delicate fabrics, you can use light stabilizer so it doesn't show through. Mostly I find it works just fine and I don't worry about leaving paper in the quilt. I know that the bits of paper wouldn't hurt anything, but I just can't stand the thought of a washed quilt ending up with rolled up bits of freezer paper under applique seams.

Sunny

I took a paper piecing class from Carol Doak. She told us not to worry about leaving little bits of foundation paper in your quilt -- it will add a bit of extra insulation.

Julia > I don't applique this way, but do occasionally use paper foundations

I agree that a few tiny bits round the edges where the stitches catch won't be the end of the world. But, if you don't like the idea, how about using the freezer paper the other way round? If your template is symmetrical you could press it on to cut round and then take it off and turn it up the other way, so that the 'meltable' side is uppermost. Then you can fold back the seam allowance and press it onto the freezer paper itself - no glue. That should make it much easier to remove.

I like Sunny's idea, though, and leaving a line of stabiliser round the edge. That would sharpen up the appearance of the appliqué . In message , Trixie writes

I've tried this method and found that I had to be very careful to just catch the very edge of the applique pieces. If you do that, then the stitches should not go through the freezer paper. I had to sew very slowly. In order to see the stitching well enough, I ended up getting some magnifying glasses for my Bernina:

Beth Ferrier is one of those whopromoted that method of applique. She is now using Floriani Stitch NWash=AE Tear Away stabilizer instead of freezer paper. That stabilizerhas some non-soluble fibers, which gives the applique a trapuntolook. You can find more information on that product at: On Beth's web site it says that she is in the middle of writing a book on her updated process.

I have not tried using the Stich N Wash Tear Away, so I cannot comment on how well it works. Also, I am nayy with any of the above.

Bev in TX

I missed one important word :-(

Beth uses Floriani Stitch N Wash=AE Tear Away Fusible.

Bev in TX