Yesterday I was telling you all about how much I like the Steam A Seam Lite products for machine applique. Today I thought I would talk a bit about machine applique methods, and in particular, the one I like best at the moment.
If you purchase any material on the How To of Applique, you will quickly learn that there are dozens of methods to choose from, and that everyone who does applique seems to have a favorite from which they rarely detour. I love the look of applique and have always wanted to perfect my skills at hand applique. I have tried needle turn applique with amateurish results. I have tried the freezer paper method and dissolved my freezer paper. I have tried the starch method and made the biggest mess you ever saw, and melted my gel manicure in the process. I still haven’t given up on hand applique though, and thanks to a few tips my blogging friends have given me (thanks Darlene, Susan, and Anna!), I will try it again soon. In the meantime, I have been experimenting with machine applique and really like what I see.
The first thing to know about machine applique is that you need a machine that can do it. A machine that does a zig zag stitch is essential, and if your machine has a blanket stitch option, that is excellent as well. I have a Bernina that provides all sorts of wonderful stitch options, none of which I had used much until now. You also should have a proper applique foot attachment for your machine. The one I like for the Bernina is the number 23, which is clear plastic, allowing you to see right where you are stitching.
When I first started practicing, I used a clear monofilament "invisible" thread on top, and regular thread in my bobbin. I used a small zig zag stitch all around the raw edges of the applique piece. The results were satisfactory, but kind of wobbly. Practice would probably improve that over time. Next I tried matching my applique piece with cotton thread on top and in the bobbin. I chose a blanket stitch this time, and just loved the results.
With the blanket stitch, you get into this great rhythm: stitch on the edge, stitch on the edge, stitch on the applique piece, stitch on the edge, stitch on the edge, stich on the applique piece… And as you stitch around the applique piece you slowly rotate the piece so that your needle always lands precisely on the exact place where the applique piece meets the background fabric. Two stitches on the background and one stitch in on the applique piece. Precision is important for good results, so you really have to go fairly slowly and get into the rhythm.
A few months ago I cut out all the fabric to make a beginner level applique project, but never began it, thinking I needed formal instruction. Never got around to taking a class, and the unstarted project just sat in a box waiting for the magic day. I felt the magic a few days ago and pulled it out and decided to give it a go, using the Steam A Seam Lite 2 fusible, my Bernina’s blanket stitch, and my number 23 applique foot. The quilt project calls for 20 appliqued blocks and by the time I got to 16 or 17 I felt like I was a pro. Above you see a completed applique piece and below is the backside.
I haven’t quite figured out what to do with my starting and ending threads, so I have been pulling the top threads through to the bottom and tying them off to the bottom threads. That is what that little knot looking thing is. Does anyone have a better method? I would love to know.
A few folks have emailed me to say they are skeptical of machine applique using fusible products because they are afraid that over time the piece may not be securely fastened down to the background. Trust me, between the permanence of the fusibles now, plus all that tight stitching on the edges, that machine applique piece is far more secure than my pitiful hand appliqued pieces are. In a hundred years my hand applique pieces will have totally come apart from the backing, but these machine stitched ones will still be locked on tight.
Overall, I am thrilled to have learned this technique, and am really happy with the results. Seriously, try it, you can do it too. Below is a picture of a completed block, which involves a lattice made up of 1 1/4 inch squares. More on that tomorrow!
24 responses to “Machine Applique Adventures”
Your method sounds good to me! As for the thread, I usually intertwine them in between the back stitches usually looping around a stitch. I use the blind hem stitch. The other option would be to pull them all througth when your quilt is sandwiched so that it gets stuck in the batting. That would entail long hours of just filing thread and that would make me sick to my stomack. So far I haven’t had a problem with intertwining on the back. Gosh am I making any sense? I’m presently playing catchup with blogs but a good reference mannuel is Harriet Hargraves on Machine applique. Your block look great! Take care.
Your method sounds good to me! As for the thread, I usually intertwine them in between the back stitches usually looping around a stitch. I use the blind hem stitch. The other option would be to pull them all througth when your quilt is sandwiched so that it gets stuck in the batting. That would entail long hours of just filing thread and that would make me sick to my stomack. So far I haven’t had a problem with intertwining on the back. Gosh am I making any sense? I’m presently playing catchup with blogs but a good reference mannuel is Harriet Hargraves on Machine applique. Your block look great! Take care.
Hearing about your methods, and seeing your photos, has been a great lesson in an introduction to machine applique. And your block is so pretty! Happy Days! :o)
Hearing about your methods, and seeing your photos, has been a great lesson in an introduction to machine applique. And your block is so pretty! Happy Days! :o)
I love your applique project, Nicole. It makes me envious that my machine doesn’t do that cool buttonhole stitch. Very pretty!
I love your applique project, Nicole. It makes me envious that my machine doesn’t do that cool buttonhole stitch. Very pretty!
Looks wonderful. When I’ve used my blanket stitch – I usually try to overlap my start and stop stitches. That seems to lock everything down.
Looks wonderful. When I’ve used my blanket stitch – I usually try to overlap my start and stop stitches. That seems to lock everything down.
Your block looks very pretty! I agree with using the Steam a Seam Lite – less bulk in your finished quilt, especially with the “donut” method. I used to sew with the satin stitch, but when I discovered the blanket stitch, it has pretty much been my one and only. It gives such a tidy (and handmade)appearance to the appliques, I think.
I own a Husqvarna/Viking machine, and it has a “fix” button that I use to finish off each applique piece. The needle goes up and down several times in one spot and knots the thread.
I’ve been using the fusible webbing on appliqued quilts for many years now, and after repeated washings and hard use (the quilts were for my grandkids), the webbing has stayed in place – it’s good stuff!
Another very nice tutorial, Nicole – thank you!
Your block looks very pretty! I agree with using the Steam a Seam Lite – less bulk in your finished quilt, especially with the “donut” method. I used to sew with the satin stitch, but when I discovered the blanket stitch, it has pretty much been my one and only. It gives such a tidy (and handmade)appearance to the appliques, I think.
I own a Husqvarna/Viking machine, and it has a “fix” button that I use to finish off each applique piece. The needle goes up and down several times in one spot and knots the thread.
I’ve been using the fusible webbing on appliqued quilts for many years now, and after repeated washings and hard use (the quilts were for my grandkids), the webbing has stayed in place – it’s good stuff!
Another very nice tutorial, Nicole – thank you!
I’m lovin’ your lattice! At the beginning of machine buttonhole stitching, I try to sneak in a couple of very short straight stitches that I then reverse stitch over before continuing on with the buttonhole stitch. I try to do the same thing at the end if it won’t look awful–depends on how the beginning and ending stitches are lining up. My Bernina has the lock stitch at the beginning and end. I don’t use it often because it seams a little messy sometimes. Have fun!
I’m lovin’ your lattice! At the beginning of machine buttonhole stitching, I try to sneak in a couple of very short straight stitches that I then reverse stitch over before continuing on with the buttonhole stitch. I try to do the same thing at the end if it won’t look awful–depends on how the beginning and ending stitches are lining up. My Bernina has the lock stitch at the beginning and end. I don’t use it often because it seams a little messy sometimes. Have fun!
Very Nice Nicole! I’d say you’re an old pro at that machine applique — that back looks perfect!
Very Nice Nicole! I’d say you’re an old pro at that machine applique — that back looks perfect!
You dissolved your freezer paper? How on earth did that happen? Were you crying on it?! LOL! Your machine applique looks fabulous though! I love the Fig Tree patterns and I’ve looked at that one several times. Excellent! Cool Bernina foot too. I’d vaguely heard mutterings about a 1/4″ foot with guide but hadn’t paid much attention. I think I’ll need to check into that!
You dissolved your freezer paper? How on earth did that happen? Were you crying on it?! LOL! Your machine applique looks fabulous though! I love the Fig Tree patterns and I’ve looked at that one several times. Excellent! Cool Bernina foot too. I’d vaguely heard mutterings about a 1/4″ foot with guide but hadn’t paid much attention. I think I’ll need to check into that!
I agree Nicole I don’t think your appliqué will move any where in a hurry.
It looks perfect to me. I wish my m/c did button hole stitch. Maybe it’s a good reason to upgrade……now there’s a thought 😉
I agree Nicole I don’t think your appliqué will move any where in a hurry.
It looks perfect to me. I wish my m/c did button hole stitch. Maybe it’s a good reason to upgrade……now there’s a thought 😉
That one stitch is the whole reason I bought my Viking. It does 3 in and 2 up and down and I love the look of the stitch. The one on my Alex Anderson Bernina is nice, but I always use the Viking for buttonhole applique, which is my favorite machine applique stitch. This is a great block. I will love seeing your completed quilt. I like the colors a little better than the ones in the sample picture post above.
That one stitch is the whole reason I bought my Viking. It does 3 in and 2 up and down and I love the look of the stitch. The one on my Alex Anderson Bernina is nice, but I always use the Viking for buttonhole applique, which is my favorite machine applique stitch. This is a great block. I will love seeing your completed quilt. I like the colors a little better than the ones in the sample picture post above.
To hide the knots on the back . . . tie your knot close to the backing but leave about a 1/16th of an inch. Use a self threading needle and pull the ends with the knot into your backing. Tug lightly until you hear or feel a “pop” sound. This will be the knot pulling through the fabric. Pull the threads through the backing and back out of the fabric. Give a little pull so that the threads give a slight gather and then cut threads close to backing. The end result is that the knot and the threads are under your backing fabric.
To hide the knots on the back . . . tie your knot close to the backing but leave about a 1/16th of an inch. Use a self threading needle and pull the ends with the knot into your backing. Tug lightly until you hear or feel a “pop” sound. This will be the knot pulling through the fabric. Pull the threads through the backing and back out of the fabric. Give a little pull so that the threads give a slight gather and then cut threads close to backing. The end result is that the knot and the threads are under your backing fabric.
Looks wonderful. When I’ve used my blanket stitch – I usually try to overlap my start and stop stitches. That seems to lock everything down.
Looks wonderful. When I’ve used my blanket stitch – I usually try to overlap my start and stop stitches. That seems to lock everything down.