Need a fine line glue technique

Jerry, try putting the glue stick in the refrigerator for an hour before using. Might help. Nancycog in MD who's recovering from too much turkey!

Sharon Schamber uses glue in her Pieclique technique (book of same name). Any chance of checking it out at a local library? She uses water based liquid glue and puts a hole in the nozzle with a thick needle instead of just snipping off the top of the applicator. This give her the control to apply thin lines of glue very precisely. I'm sure - given her sensational prizewinning results - that this works, but I just am uncomfortable with glue and fabric in most situations.

Another method is to use a solution of spray starch/water and paint it onto the seam allowance and then press. This gives a very sharp firm edge that is easier to applique by machine.

What's wrong with good old fashioned basting? I baste the edges of all my applique down because I find it gives me better control and I can always add an extra stitch here and there if something needs extra hold. It also allows for slight easing to fix any stretching of fabrics cut on the bias, and you will have quite a lot of those edges in your piece. But I do most of my applique by hand. Is hand applique out of the question?

If the pieces are not too small you could use an iron on webbing. Apply a thin strip on the back of the seam edge to be turned, peel off the backing, finger press the seam allowance, then cover with a Teflon pressing sheet and use the iron to glue the edge down. Any webbing not covered by the seam will peel off the Teflon sheet, and small areas of web could even help hold your piece in place for machine sewing - just press to them onto background.

I know some love products like Wonder-Under (Vliesofix) and I suppose you could bond the whole piece to the background. If you do that you could trim off the seam allowances and machine applique the raw edges.

Hope you find a satisfactory method.

Your wife is a very fine woman to tolerate your presence in the quilting adventure. My DH too is a perfectionist and I would probably have to build him his own sewing room and never darken its door. Don't take all the fun out of your first quilt by demanding perfection of yourself. Please. Polly

I took a few classes from Sharon Schamber this summer; she's the one who won best of show in Houston a year ago and also in Paducah. She uses good old Elmer's school glue (it's water soluble and washes out). She cuts off the applicator and inserts the barrel of a skinny mechanical pencil to get just the right size "line" of glue; she then uses a knitting needle cap as a top when the glue isn't in use.

Low tech solution: cut a template for your blocks, to finished size... Templar or file folder, either will work. Dab undiluted spray starch or 50-50 bottle starch and water along the edges of the block that hang over the template. Press the now-moistened edges of the block over the template. Remove template. Applique. See Carol Ahles' book Fine Machine Sewing for a much better discussion of the technique -- she uses it for scallops, but it'll work fine for you. Fine Machine Sewing is pretty commonly found in public libraries... if you're a perfectionist, this book is definitely for you, especially the first few chapters.

Higher tech solution: Reduce block by 1/16 on all edges. Get a roll of Collins WonderTape (about $2-3 at most fabric stores) -- it's 1/4" wide, double-stick tape that will dissove in water, and doesn't gum up the machine needle. Apply the tape to the edges of the block, turn under

I keep Carol Ahles book of Fine Machine Sewing close by too. It would be especially great for a quilter who didn't have a garment sewing background or wanted to get the most from a newer SM. Her book is a real treasure. Polly

"Kay Lancaster" wrote, in part > See Carol Ahles' book Fine Machine Sewing for a much better discussion

I like glue sticks, but have always wanted one that is smaller. Well, Elmers Glue has finally come up with one. It is pencil sized and a lot softer than regular glue sticks. I use it for paper piecing and appliqué.

I have only found it in the office supply stores, but I'm sure it will be more widely available soon.

Cindy

i'm too tired atm to read thru all the replys. i'd use the interfacing technique. get some non woven, non fuse lightweight interfacing. put the blocks upside down onto that, sew the scant quarter inch from the edge of the blocks right thru fabrics. then cut a slit into the centre of the interfacing enough to turn it inside out. trim the seams this will give you a nice smooth clean edge to then attach the blocks to the background by your preferred method. works for me really well on all manner of shapes/sizes til too small to turn inside out. the interfacing is really strong, doesnt need to be removed after attaching to the background fabric and is cheap as chips too. NON-Woven, NON-fuse. easy peasy. heres a link to see how it works.

You need a product called "Roxanne's Glue-Baste-It"