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Years ago, I did a lot of machine applique. I used my mother's Singer which had a lever to adjust the width of the satin stitch. It worked great to bring the stitches into a point, etc. Now I have a digital machine and adjusting the stitch width is more time consuming. By using a satin stitch, the stitch becomes the edge of the applique instead of the fabric, so if it wasn't perfect, it really showed! Satin stitching also used lots of thread and took forever!
I am working on a wall hanging that had to be machine appliqued. I was dreading doing the applique work because I knew all of the satin stitching would show and there were a bunch of small pieces. Before I started, I decided to play around and found that by using a narrow zig zag stitch, I had a much better outcome! My points are "pointier" and my curves are "curvier"!!! The fabric edges still show, so my stitching mistakes don't hit you in the face!!!
Thought I would share this as so many on this board have helped me. I used a width of 1.5 and a length of .5.
Susan

I have a Pfaff which sometimes decides that it's fancier than I deserve. It has a tack-off stitch to lock stitches at the end of a seam. But, if you hit the tack-off button a certain number of times in succession, it turns a satin stitch into a taper. Now, you know I don't do satin stitches all that often. And you know that I'm going to forget if I hit that tacky thing once already. And you know that I'm going to be going along minding my own business, when all of a sudden I'm getting points where I never expected them.

Satin stitches are not my friend. I'm happy to try anything to avoid it. Thanks for the tip.

... good for you ... makes you so happy when you find the right touch - Kim Diehl does beautiful machine applique, I have had it in my hands and could not SEE the tiny zig zag stitches she used ..and do not be afraid of the mono threads ... great article in this months American Quilter magazine by Diane Gaudynski about those threads .. and how to use them, I just read it!

I so agree about satin stitch... UGH. If you make a mistake your whole project is easily ruined! I much prefer a small zigzag. My Mom does more applique projects than piecing and she is my go to person when I get stuck/discouraged ;-D.

At a class one time, heard to do a narrow zigzag and then go over again with a wider one.

As with all things takes some practice. Just not good at it myself. Have tried the go around twice and did like the results.

I know I'm doing something wrong because my machine eats my fabric when I try satin stitch. Zigzag is the answer!!!! Just one tiny notch up from satin and all works well. And a narrow zigzag is great. If I want something wider, I do it twice.

Just in case....make sure you use a stabilizer when doing your applique. Don't care if it is a telephone book page, a piece of junk mail or water soluble stabilizer. It makes so much of a difference having something back there.

Thanx for bringing this up, STM.

Ditto, paus4quilts on the stabilizer. Forgot about that.

Have used tissue paper, new coffe filters etc. in a pinch.

Favorite is OESD product called "Stitch n Ditch". It is a thin paper, comes in 2 widths and is used for sewing machine stitches----not embroidery machine stitching.

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

I used Stitch and Tear on the back while doing the zig zag. I hate having to tear it off, but it makes it so much more stable. I think it is funny that it was suggested to go around twice because that is what I did on one part!
Susan

Thanks all! I have to do applique and fused the parts but didn't know what to do next. I'll try the zig zag with stabilizer

The Stitch n Ditch is made to remove very easily and not distort the stitches. Love that stuff.

I don't work for them, just recommending something that I like.

Anael7621: Just so you, or anyone else, wants to know. Not only can you stitch around your appliques, you can also use a fabric glue on the edges or fabric paints. A thin line of either one will hold the fused applique. Just a couple of other techniques.