Re: Machine Applique Advice

Hullo Kelly If you are using a fabric which unravels a lot, for appliqué, it might be a good idea for you to do a double-layer appliqué (I don't know its 'proper' name) - Anyone? What you do is this: cut out your shape with a usual seam allowance in your chosen fabric, then cut another of the same shape, either in the same fabric or a finer one - in this case with homespun a finer one like muslin would probably be better. With right sides together sew the shapes together with usual seam allowance. Then carefully cut a slit in the reverse side, turn the whole thing through the slit, smooth out and press. You then have no raw edges to worry about. The only raw edge is well underneath and will never be a problem. You can then hand or machine appliqué whichever is your preference. You might think that the double thickness would look 'lumpy', but it really just looks three dimensional. Try it. If you haven't done much appliqué, I think you will like it. I have done a large appliqué with flowers and leaves, where each petal of every flower was done separately. I used this method and it worked wonderfully. I hate raw edges, so I love the method!! I also love needle-turn appliqué, but not with a fabric which frays easily >g< . In article , KD writes

Are homespuns not a good fabric to work with for a quilt? I had planned on making this a throw size for the living area. I fell in love with the combination of prints that I found but would hate to spend all the time that this quilt will take i it will not hold up. Thanks for your help!

Kelly

I think homespuns are fine for a quilt. Just loosely woven for applique without really securing the edges.

Oh...that sounds like a great idea, I even have some muslin here so I can try it tonight - Thanks so much for everyone's wonderful feedback. I will let you know how it goes.

Kelly

thats how i do it too, Donna. its so lightweight ya cant eve tell its there but sure does give a nice clean edge to work with making it look just like regular needleturn and not the extra bulk that i think muslin would give. its cheap as chips too, only $1.20 a metre in nz, gotta be giving it away in usa, lol. i do find it works better on shapes that only have outer points/curves. those inner ones like the top centre of a heart can be a real bitch to work like this. i love my leaves this way though. i can make a gazillion of those and so quick too. jeanne*

In doing the needle

When I did an applique class a couple of years ago, one hint given was to dip a pin into fray stopper and apply this to the corners to stop the unraveling ( such as in your petal corners).

HTH

Dee in Oz