Message Boards

I have decided that I am going to learn how to machine applique. I really like the new Fat Cat Fish BOM and it seems like a perfect project.

So I got some Steam a Seam Lite, traced the pattern in reverse, warmed the fabric, lay the SAS on the back and TRIED to cut it out. It's like trying to catch a chicken. It doesn't want to stay still so I can cut it out. The webbing is fine, lightly attached, but the paper with the design on it moves all over the place. How do you get things cut out accurately?

Next question - the SAS said that you don't have to sew around the pieces after they are ironed down, but I'd like to. Do you use a buttonhole stitch or zigzag around the outside? Is it like regular applique - where you only stitch the exposed stuff? Or do you stitch around the entire piece before attaching the next? Matching thread or one color?

Hmm..... maybe I need to find a tutorial. But any tips and suggestions would be appreciated.

Did you peel off the paper on one side of the SAS (the side that the paper peel off easily)? After you peel it off, that side of the SAS is sort of tacky & your pattern will adhere to it for easy marking. I like the look of the blanket stitch around applique but the satin or zigzag stitch is pretty also. Only stitch the exposed pattern pieces. I think you will have to much stiffness if you stitch down the pieces that are underneath other pieces. Another tip is if you have a large piece (say like a big heart) you can use just a small strip of SAS around the edge of the heart instead of using SAS on the whole heart. This way you don't use up so much of your SAS & you get the softness of the heart in the middle of it. Does that make sense?

Here's a great tutorial:

http://funthreads.blogspot.com...plique-tutorial.html

Nicki - thanks for the tutorial - I plan on using some of the B&W squares and have Miss Maggie machine applique them here and there on the border for a little zing. (She doesn't know that either ) That tutorial will come in handy. It's always better to "see" as well as "listen".

Lynn, I couldn't help but laugh while reading your " catch a chicken" all over the place. Nicki, gave you the advice I would have offered you. Good Luck, its pretty but can take some pre- planning if you want the fish to all look in one direction or if you want some to face the other way.

Katie, that's an excellent link nlk put up.

There are also two recent threads here on the board covering this subject. There are several more from earlier.

This one is by Fons and Porter and pertains to 'windowing' the fusible (cutting out the center of the fusible for the applique.)

http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/for...4011632/m/8263975667

And this is a thread on sewing through fusible, some very good tips in there.

http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/for...053923667#4053923667

I've never used SAS, I have always used a Pellon brand fusible. It only has paper on one side, the side you would draw on. And when you go to apply your design to the fabric you press the fusible to the fabric for about five seconds, so the glue and paper actually holds to the fabric and cutting out the fabric is not a problem.

I have a method in the second one that I really like and you might consider. Cut your fusible about 1/4" inside your design. Then your needle doesn't get messed up with the glue because you aren't sewing through the glue.

nlk and her link mentioned the stitches you can use. You can use any decorative stitch you think you would like. Just try it first on a scrap to see how well it connects with the edge of your fabric. I have a kind of yyyy stitch I often use, I like the pattern it creates, kind of like a vine. You are only limited by your imagination, and how well it does the job.

Enjoy your venture into machine applique.

Well, I do mine differently. I draw the pattern on the fusible and cut it out BEFORE putting it on the fabric. I iron that down on the wrong side of the fabric and then cut it. When I'm ready to assemble the whole design, I take paper off the other side and place it. Once I'm satisfied, I use a pressing sheet (parchment paper) and press the whole design in place. Then I stitch around it. I use a small blanket stitch, but you can use whatever suits your fancy.

Oh, I use Lite Steam-a-Seam 2.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Florida Farm Girl,

I do much the same as FFG; draw on the paper of the fusible, roughly cut out slightly beyond your drawn line, fuse it down on the back of your fabric. Then cut out the pattern on the drawn line. If the paper slips around then, just pin it in place - just enough so you can cut it accurately.

I don't have any problems with needle gum-up if I use the lite version of Steam-a-Seam.

Thank you all so much for all the tips. Nicki, I will watch the video when I get home tonight - the internet here at work is just dreadful.

This seems like it will be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's something I've wanted to fiddle with for a while. I like hand applique, but sometimes I don't feel like making the effort. This seems like a nice way to get to the finished block.

I'll post a picture when I finish one.

P4Q - thanks for those links also. After I finished posting my question, I saw the one about windowing. Seems like that would help cut down on some of the stiffness. As this will probably be a wall hanging, I'm not too worried about that, but think I will try it on some of the larger pieces.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: katiemedarlin,

I can't be the only one who HATES the look of fusible applique?

Everyone should learn to do the freezer paper/glue method of needleturn machine applique. It is the best and gives almost hand done results. There's a book, Machine applique for the terrified quilter, a must read!

stillsuzzz, in general, I agree with you about fusible applique. But I do think it is OK for some things that won't be getting washed much like wall hangings. Mostly I do needleturn by hand.

I do a lot of hand applique and for most things, that's what I use. But I thought this would be fun to try. I'm pretty sure it will just get hung from a rod in the family room (read basement) where the fish tanks are.

I will look for the book tho. I'm always interested in new techniques.

I'm willing to bet the reason you don't care for the fusible applique is the same reason I fell in love with the 'windowing' or 'doughnut hole' way of using fusible. Things look and feel too stiff. When you move the fusible away from the edge, you can sew the edges much more nicely. Want a folded edge, fold the edge under. Most hand applique is only turned under about 1/8" of an inch, right? And you can use a freezer paper template or the edge of the fusible paper backing to press the turn under while keeping the backing paper on the fusible. The fusible does the same thing as the dab of glue used to hold the applique in place.

I guess the next thing they'll have to come up with for fusible is that it is water soluble. That'd be cool.

That is what is sooooo really nice about today's crafting, in general. We have so many choices on how to do and what to use for our projects.

stillsuzzz, I absolutely hate needle turn so I fuse whenever I can!

Here's another tip for you: if you are satin stitching around the raw edges, do pin a piece of tear-away stabilizer under the piece. That way your stitches will be much smoother. This would also be a given for any close stitch - buttonhole, blanket, etc.

I remember year ago while watching Elenor Burns she showed a method, I though I might like. I'm not sure I ever tried it though. Cut both the fusible and the applique. Now sew the two rightsides together...all the way around. Now cut the center of the fusible only and turn the applique rightside out. Use a stelleto to push out corners etc. You can then cut away the inside of the fusible and still have the fusible on the outside. This also allows you to have a finished edge. Not sure if this is the look you were trying to achieve....just thought of this while reading your post.

I hope no one thought I was saying that fusible applique isn't as "good" as other types - I didn't mean that at all. We all have our preferences and each type has its place. That doesn't mean one way is right and the others are wrong - just different.

Sewnsew, Sue and I used that method, but we didn't cut off the middle of the fusible after we turned it, must have miss those directions.LOL It does give a more finished look to the appliqued piece. We always used the blanket stitch to tack it down.

oh so many good tips! Need to write some of these down! Thanks ladies!! For both asking the question AND answering it!!

I don't do much with fusible - but do remember an Eleanor Burns technique that uses fusible interfacing the way patty j described. It gives a finished edge to the appliqued piece but does not "glue" it directly to the background.

Editing to add there are soluble fusible products out there.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bozie,

I didn't think you were saying that, pvillelou. My end comment about all the ways to do things is so great, means just that. Everyone can find a way to do something that pleases them. It's a lot better than standing the in grocery isle trying to decide which paper towel to use. lollll

Oops, ETA: sewnsew. That is my favorite way to add dimension to a pattern.

And Bozie....there is soluble fusible in the stores???? I'll have to look for it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: paus4quilts,

quote:

Sue and I used that method, but we didn't cut off the middle of the fusible after we turned it, must have miss those directions.

Cutting off the middle probably wouldn't be practical if the piece is very small. And if you are happy with the results without doing that on larger pieces, it's OK then too.

Gotta lot of oops in me tonight. I must have misread sewnso's comment.

The method I saw Eleanor use was to sew together a piece of fusible INTERFACING with the applique piece; glue to the inside. Make a slit in the interfacing and turn the applique right side out. Smooth out the seam and press the applique to the background fabric. Then stitch around the applique.

She and her sister, Patty (?), did a series on a basket quilt and this was the way they did the flowers in the baskets. She also inserted batting in the pieces at times, on other projects.

She cut the interfacing a tad skinny so that when you turned the applique, the seam rolled and the interfacing wasn't seen.

You can do the same thing with matching fabrics instead of the fusible interfacing.

This has been a very interesting read. I appreciate all of the answers and I will be giving this a whirl. I have FINALLY gotten all of my pieces cut for the first fish and found the perfect background yesterday - a nice saturated blue batik with little circles that look like bubbles. I mean, how perfect is that?

I did not cut out the center of the large pieces, but only because I had already started when I posted the question. I do believe I will start doing that. It will make it not so stiff and I can use the middle bits for the smaller pieces.

Thank you again for all of your responses. I always know I can get help here.