In search of perfect applique - which method do you use?

140717✽

by spendlove 27 Mar 2011 ( edited Mar 27'11 20:29 )

Do you:

1. Stitch the applique fabric down when you get to that part of the pattern and then trim off the excess before completing the design?
2. Stitch the placement line on stabiliser and use that as a pattern for cutting the applique fabric to the right size before adding it?
3. Some other method?

I've been experimenting today and I stitched the placement line on the applique fabric first, then ironed bondaweb on the back before cutting it out. When I got to the appropriate part of the design, I took the hoop from the machine and ironed the applique in place. (I've made an ironing pad to fit the hoop.) This worked really well, but the satin stitch wasn't perfectly in position in some areas. I don't know if this was a fault in the design or (more likely) that I'd allowed the fabric to move slightly in the hoop.

Open to the floor!

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Comments (6)

17488✽

by mnladyus 27 Mar 2011

+3✽

I do your #1. I found that some of the stabilizers shrink when heat is applied. Try to iron just a plain piece of stabilizer. Both my black and my white cut-a-way shrink when I iron them.

What I do is iron the stabilizer before I hoop anything, that way it doesn't shrink when you wash it, and distort the design. I do a lot of full back designs on hoodies and jackets, so I shrink it before I hoop them.

3 comments

by spendlove 27 Mar 2011

That is interesting -hadn't considered it!

by bevgrift 27 Mar 2011

I do this too for my shrinky stabilizer, I hate to try to stretch iron the dezigns after.Steam also makes it shrink. I wish they warned us about this and made stuff that did not do this

by quiltgrama 27 Mar 2011

this is quite interesting. I recentily did some ts for my nephew washed the ts first. My sister told me the design went funny and puckered I found this odd as I had used heavy cutaway to avoid this. Will now try shriking the cut away to see if this helps. thanks Ladies

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44905✽

by dlonnahawkins 27 Mar 2011

+3✽

I stich the placement line and the base fabric, then add the fabric, do the next stitch, and then cut the fabric. I prefer this method. I do not use backing on mine, for I use 505 when I am doing applique. I do try to be economical with the fabric, but most of the time it usually calls for small amounts. I have found that if I am doing something that will be washed, I use a wash away/tear away - then I don't have to worry about any shrinkage.

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7875✽

by bevgrift 27 Mar 2011

+3✽

I like to use firm, starched little pieces of fabric for applique. I stitch the applique down and skip the placement lines.Snip very carefully and close to the line.I use paper tear away hooped with the base fabric.
My top hoop has pieces of magic tape (sticky both sides) then small pieces of cut away stuck to that, this makes a less slippery hoop. It lasts a long time too.
Happy applique!
From Bev

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211079✽

by shirlener88 27 Mar 2011

+3✽

When I do applique in the hoop - I will do as dlonnahawkins (Beth) has said, too.

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32948✽

by jofrog2000 27 Mar 2011

+3✽

definitely use an oversized piece and trim down after the placement line sews over it. I have done a few with an iron on to the base material, and after washing many times, they tend to look more faded, since it is stiffer and other fabrics in the washer rub on it.
Jo

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23222✽

by ramona 27 Mar 2011

+1✽

I trim off the excess before completing the design.

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