Friday, September 28, 2007


Chapter 4 - Do you applique?

Yesterday I took some time to tidy up my sewing room and while it still needs a little more attention, it does look much better. I have too many irons in the fire and I hate it when I do that to myself. grrrrr! :-)

When I was finished I took time to pull out fabric for block #2 of my Country Whig Rose project (this is in Simple Blessings by Kim Diehl). It's prepped and I managed a handful of stitches last night while watching TV.
This leads me to my next question for you. Have you missed my questions? teehee!!! :-)
Do you applique? If so - do you - hand or machine applique and what is your preferred prepping and stitching method and why?
I hope you're having a wonderful Friday and I thank you for popping by to visit my blog. You know I love it when you do!
In Friendship!

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

You've got some lovely applique blocks on the go.

I used to think that I didn't do much applique untils some members of my guild comments that I must love it because I'm always doing it.

I do both machine and hand applique. I enjoy both techniques and usually pick based on what I think will suit the block. Though, if I know I'll be travelling I'll set things up so I can bring handwork. So far for wool I've only done it by hand. By hand I usually prep with freezer paper and do needle-turn. By machine, it depends. If I'm doing blanket stitch or other decorative stitches I'll use steam-a-seam and fuse it. If I'm doing mock-hand applique I'll use freezer paper.

~Bren~ said...

I love to applique and I think I have done every method (except machine)...I still prefer the needle turn freezer paper underneath method....I was born way past my time!

Cheryl said...

I use to hand applique with the freezer paper and starch .. where the stitches don't show. But now life is so busy I do a lot of buttonholing! I thought life would be slower at this point :-)!

Wendy said...

My preference is to do applique by hand but...but...time is somewhat of a issue...so I've tried machine and it's not my favourite. I would always go back to hand with starch and freezer paper. The prep-work is a drag but worth the effort.

Your new block is gorgeous... I love it.

Angie said...

Ooooh, Dazy girl, I LOVE your fabric choices for your Whig Rose blocks!! :) I needleturn applique--the old-fashioned, slower-for-me-than-molasses in wintertime, applique. :D I'm a glutton for punishment---and I LUV those UFOs. ROFL

Carolyn said...

I'm another freezer paper on the bottom, needleturn kind of girl. I've tried other methods, but just hate to do the prep work! Your block is beautiful!

Texan said...

I know how to do buttonhole applique,, I love the kind that is turned under and you dont see the stitches no matter how someone achieves that, I want to learn one of the methods! Its on "the list" LOL

I have Simple Blessings and Simple Traditions by Kim Diehl, I would love to do every project in both books, but if I never do, I so enjoy just looking at her books!

Beth said...

Oh here's a uestion that I can answer LOL. I love love love to applique, especially by hand. For hand applique I use the "back basting" method.

I trace the entire pattern on the wrong side of the background piece and then I use a thick straw needle and waxed hand quilting thread to baste each applique piece from the back side. Then I trim and clip the piece to applique down. I remove a few of the basting stitches and turn under on the basting line. I have been using this metod for about 6 or 7 years now and it's the only way I hand applique.

I am also in a theme based applique swap and one of the gals is using Kona Black for her background fabric, so I thought I might have to figure out a new method, but then a lightbulb went off and I was able to transfer the pattern to the black using wax free transfer paper and a smooth roller. Then I drew over the lines with a silver marking pencil and voila I can back baste on black!

I also sometimes do machine applique but I really prefer to do it by hand. I also use my embroidery machine for some applique designs and let the machine do the work for me. That's the only way a perfect satin stitch will ever be acheived in this house.....LOL

Thanks for asking....I know this is long winded, but I wanted to give you enough material for your next chapter.....LOL

Marilyn Robertson said...

I like to applique by hand and by machine. When I do hand applique I like the starch method too. It does take time to get the motifs ready to be stiched down, but it seems easier to me in the end. I also like to fuse the appliques and then machine stitch around them.

SuBee said...

That's a beauty of a block there, Ma'am!!
I love to applique but don't do much of it because I hate the prep. Lazy one, huh? When I do, it's freezer-paper needle turn because I don't care for the macine applique. I've tried the fusible but that "stiffy" feel is NOT what I want in a quilt.

Judy H. said...

I love needleturn applique. I just trace the shapes on the fabric with a template, then use a clear plastic overlay to position the pieces. I baste several non-overlapping pieces at once, stitch them down, then baste several more.

Sweet P said...

I'm a having a greaet start to my weekend.

I don't do applique, at least not yet. I enjoy stitcheries so much that's it's hard to imagine doing any other kind of handwork, unless it's the binding.

Juliann in WA said...

Applique is my favorite quilting technique and I do most needle turn with a bit of freezer paper for hard shapes. I did two of those blocks that you are working on. Should pull them out and see where I stand.

Tazzie said...

Hey there Darlene, you know for sure that I love to applique. I'm an old school girl. I needle turn applique, with no helpers. I just transfer the shape I want onto the right side of the fabric, pin it in place, and away I go. For me, simple is best.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Granny said...

I don't applique but surely wish I did.

Yvonne said...

I love needleturn applique. I trace the pattern onto the front of the fabric and off I go. I'll trace the pattern onto clear plastic for placement. Hawaiian applique is my very favorite. I did some fusing and buttonhole applique this week and liked it more than I thought I would. Machine applique is my least favorite unless it's sorta freeform.

Vicky said...

I'm with Tazzie and Yvonne. I trade the shape on the right side of the fabric and needleturn. In a workshop I took several years ago, the instructor asked us if we'd rather be prepping or needling. That one was easy for me to answer! My applique will never win any awards, but I sure do love doing it. And that's what's important, after all!

Mar said...

well, since you asked :-)
I like my freezer on the front please and I like to needle turn, tried the starch, too much trouble, I'm a finger presser and that is good enough for me. I also like the Piece O Cake overlay method and use it often.

Unknown said...

Yes, Darlene, I love to applique! I use freezer paper underneath and then needleturn. I'm a big fan of "whimsical placement" of the pieces onto the background.

Pam said...

I like to applique. I spent today at a applique workshop "Itty Bitty Eensy Weensy" taught by Becky Goldsmith from "Piece O' Cake" I found I am not as good as I thought I was - LOL. So I will have to practice more. It was a great workshop though. I enjoyed Becky very much. Wonderful speaker and teacher. And the "Piece O' Cake" method is a pretty good method. I do needle turn applique. I like the way they do the templates - much easier than drawing them on template plastic. I can see myself doing more applique with this method.

Kim said...

Which chapter are we on now?! ROFLOL! Yes, of COURSE I applique--doesn't everyone? Silly wabbit!

Anne Ida said...

Your appliqué blocks looks so great, Darlene! Way to go!

No, appliqué is not one of my favorite things, but I do it when i have to. I think I've tried it most ways - machine blanket stitch, machine zig-zag stitch (not pleased with the result of that! the edges gets too "lumpy"/heavy); by hand with freezer paper on top, with freezer paper and water soluble glue, reverse appliqué (once, and I quite enjoyed that, actually!). I haven't tried the way Tazzie describes here, so perhaps I should see if that works for me...?

These questions of yours are fun!
Take care and have a great weekend!

Knot Garden said...

Your applique block leapt off the screen at me because that is just the pattern I whave been thinking about doing. I do both hand and machine applique, machine applique with fusible web and balnket stitch, and hand applique using a freezer paper method.

Paula, the quilter said...

Mmmmmm... applique. I do it. I love to do it. I've been wanting to try the back basting method (thanks to Beth I have the impetus again). I seem to always do hand applique in the needleturn method. I like to do machine applique too. I used to do the fusible but hated the stiffness, so lately I've been exploring techniques of machine applique without fusibles. I recently took a workshop on a new way using a stabilizer and glue sticks and I absolutely love the results. More of that technique in the future, I'm sure.

Anonymous said...

Your block is beautiful, Darlene. I'm always amazed how I love "mostard yellow" and blue but together, and yet often I forget to notes blues in my quilts...

Applique : maybe my favorite quilts. I LOVE them and my preferred technique is to use freezer paper, and then iron the seam allowance on the back, because I'm much more precise that way. Then I take off the freezer paper, soing a small hole on the back. I have made many attempts to needle turn, but I guess it's not for me...
Recently I started my "Blooming Rose" quilt, that requires raw edge machine applique, and though I'm using my machine the less possible, I was amazed how easy it was and pleased with the result.

Hugs & smiles to you, dear, and THANKS for this interesting question.
NADINE

Nan said...

I am a lazy appliquer. I do fusible applique, and usually machine blanket stitch or zig-zag the edges. I have never tried needleturn applique - it looks too darn difficult to me, so I just don't do it. But, I do so admire people who have that particular skill!
Your block is lovely, by the way!!

Not Lucy said...

I don't do a lot of appliqué but I prefer the needle turn method. I do machine appliqué but I am never really pleased with the results. I had never heard of the back baste method but I might have to try that sometime soon.

kcdi said...

Oh, that is so pretty! Great job as usual. I don't applique very often. Usually it is just raw edge with transfusable web. On the rare chance I do it other way, I spray starch the fabric, use freezer paper on the underside and iron the seam allowance to the waxy side of the freezer paper, pull out the paper, and machine applique with usually a tiny zigzag stitch (or a small straight stitch very, very close to the edge), both using invisible thread.

Cher said...

not me...I do not applique at this point in my quilting life....I have taken a class but it just doesn't appeal to me.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Love your new block and I don't really do what I call applique. I do primitive applique I guess. Buttonhole is my game!!! And yes I do miss your questions so bring them!!!

Unknown said...

Just having a quick break from unpacking and had to add my little 2 cents worth. You know I've only just recently gotten back into applique. I've done machine applique in the past, but have to admit I'm not fond of the look of it, my preference is hand applique. I'm currently waiting on a book to arrive on applique, but I've tried the back basting method, freezer paper and starch and needle turn and still have'nt decided which I prefer. I do hope I find one than suits me quick.....

Meredith said...

I do applique by hand. Depending on what the shape is and my mood I use starch, freezer paper or just plain old needle turn. I do not like machine applique for my own quilts. I like using starch and Karen Kay Buckley's perfect circles. I used them for making the grapes for the quilt I am working on and they turned out well.

Carole said...

I use the needle turn method for hand applique. It's quicker to prepare the blocks. For machine applique, I use glue and turn the edges over on the freezer paper. After I've machined stitched using the blind hem (I think that's what it's called, #4 stitch on my Bernina mirror image) I wet my top and remove the freezer paper. If I want dimension, like on the quilt that I'm presently working on and wanted to blog about, but I'm busy catching up and reading all of the entries on your blog, which is slowing me down because I wans't going to reply thinking that everyone has said what needed to be said however, not wanting to be left out, I decided to reply, which lead to this long sentence that I'm hoping is the longest I've ever written; anyway, I use a water soluble stabilizer that breaks down with water but leaves residue. I will be trying Wendy's method of using starch and ironing the edges in. That will keep me from having to wet the block to remove the freezer paper. Oh, and when I machine quilt, I use water soluble stabilizer to avoid puckering! Did I answer your question efficiently? I'm in a facetious mood today! Oh and Stephen and I are going on a hike in the Adirondack today. The heck with school work! :op Have a great day!

Belvie said...

I hand applique only and do needleturn. I mark only a few basic placement marks on my background and I do not use an overlay. I mark around my templates with either a mechanical pencil or a white verithin pencil, cut out leaving 1/8 inch seam allowance, pin in place using Jeanna Kimball applique pins.....and start stitching! As I stitch, I lay my work down on a sandboard frequently to make sure things are flat and straight. I really like this method as it doesn't involve so much prep...and I still get good results.

Teresa said...

You really do have wonderful applique!

I personally have never done machine work, though I want to try it. I usually do needleturn since that's what I was taught first.

Kathy said...

I love to applique -- both hand and machine. When doing hand applique, I use the freezer paper method with the paper on top of the fabric and then needle turn.

I'm always in the market for great applique patterns.

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

I love the relaxation, calm and peace that is triggered by hand work, particularly needle-turn applique. But, alas, I have too many irons in those fires most of the time, too; and find myself doing much machine applique simply to get things finished and off my plate. I do Sue Nickels' raw-edge machine method with a very thin band of fusible on the edge and a small buttonhole stitch. Your whig rose is beautiful!

Rose Johnston said...

Hand applique Darlene (and im not looking at the other comments lol).....its the only way to applique!!! lol

Carole said...

PS. beautiful block!

Mary Anne said...

I LOVE applique !! so far I've only done some machine applique -- but I've always loved the look of hand applique. I'm in need of another "grab and go" hand work project, so today I'm planning on starting a simple needle turn piece (this will be my first "stab" at it -- Ha Ha! I'll let you know how it goes!)

Thimbleanna said...

Love that block. I do both machine and hand applique but hand is by far my favorite. And ONLY hand for a quilt that I expect to last after I'm gone. As for method, it's freezer paper all the way!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh your applique block is beautiful!

swooze said...

I love that block! I am tidying my sewing room too. Ack!

I have done both machine and hand applique. I like hand and use freezer paper on the front then needle turn.

Hanne said...

Lately I have been drawn to needle turn applique by hand.
By machine I prefer button hole applique

Nicole said...

Love the Kim Diehl books. The next applique project I do will be from one of her books. I am a clumsy hand appliquer and have recently experimented with machine applique and love it.

Elaine Adair said...

No, but I sure WANT to! Not sure why I cannot get to actually DOING it. Naturally, I have all the books, patterns.

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