Pattern help

I have not tried her patterns but I can tell you that even if you think your appliqué skills are lacking they won't be by the time you finish such a quilt. I have found that no matter the pattern with appliqué there are always challenges just because of the number of pieces, placement and layers of pieces. What appliqué technique do you use? I have found different techniques work better for different patterns. julia

I bought the "flying high" pattern, I'm still looking at it and trying to decide where to start!

Megwen

I assume you would do a project like this using fusible and not needleturn. There are numerous types of fusibles.. .some heavy ... some light. With some the temperature of the iron and the time you leave the iron down on the fabric can make a HUGE difference in how well the fabric adheres. You might want to post here and ask for who likes / recommends what!

Regardless of what fusible you use... read and follow the directions. If you cut out and fuse the full shape of each object the quilt will feel a bit stiff -- especially with a heavier fusible. You way want to use the "cut out" method of preparing the fusible -- which means basically you are only fusing the outside 1/4 to 1/2 inch of each piece -- regardless of its size.

For a project like this -- I also STRONGLY recommend you invest in an appliqué pressing sheet. There are several different ones out there. I have tried several and really like the one pictured here...

After fused (but before individual blocks are joined together) -- you need to stitch around the edges of EACH and EVERY piece of appliqué. If you feel ambitions -- you can buttonhole stitch them by hand. Otherwise use your machine to buttonhole, zigzag or satin stitch around the edges. If satin stitching -- you will probably want to match the thread to each piece of appliqué. If you use black around everything -- you will get more of a coloring book type of appearance.

This is VERY DOABLE.... and you are right..... your boys will love it!!!!

Kate in MI

PS: You can see some of my appliquéd quilts here...

easy/ well explained or

lol, Julia, you just posted all the same questions i had. mostly what methods of applique have you used so far. got a website to look at pix of your work, Sarah? cute pattern there for wee lads, eh. could yoyo those wheels maybe. hmmmmmm cheers, jeanne

I'll be doing this by hand as I can pick it up and put it back down again easily. I've tried needle turn applique but wasn't happy with the results, I've also tried fusible applique but am concerned about how well it will last with 2 monsters. I'm just finishing a small appliqued wall hanging where I used a light weight fusible interfacing which I sewed together with the fabric then cut the interfacing and turned the fabric through. I then finger pressed the edges then ironed the piece onto the base fabric so it stuck before sewing around the edges. This worked a lot better with curved edges but it would be difficult to do with small or complicated pieces.

Sarah

(photos not currently up for my quilts)

There is a difference, Sarah, between the Bondaweb (that we can get over here easily) and Fusabond (I think that's the name?). Bondaweb needs to be sewn down, Fusabond doesn't. However, I would probably do so in your circumstances. But, a neat line of straight stitching all around the fused pieces should be not too noticeable, if you match the thread, and would be quicker and easier for you to manage. Then it will all be quilted over anyway. . In message , Sarah Dixon writes

Sarah Dixon wrote in news:44e83915$0$3579$ snipped-for-privacy@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net:

I don't know if this will help you any but my SIL taught me of a way to applique that holds up like gorilla glue. Here's how it goes: Turn the fabric applique face down onto non-fusible interfacing or even a piece of light fabric. Cut around both, then sew the entire applique piece to the fabric. Pull the interface material away from the applique piece and make a small cut in the middle like a 3 corner tear. Reverse the image so that when you pull it out and press it, the image should overlap the edges so you don't see the interfacing and then sew it down to your quilt. I've used dryer sheets before when I've run out of interfacing after they've been used a few times and it works well too. (Those little things are really strong!)

*Sarah: I second Kate's recommendation for the pressing sheet. It is a

pressing sheet.

like the one pictured

EXCELLENT experiences with

(CUT!)