Sunday, August 24, 2008

A Little Help From My Friends

Betty's fabric arrived and I sat and stared at it...as I have with every set of fabric, but this set and the inspiration is freaking me out a bit. I want to do applique for this block, but I'm an applique virgin. So, have you guys appliqued? What technique(s) might work well for this treehouse block? Any hints or tips you think might help me as I attempt this. Any body else in the same boat?

5 comments:

Wendy said...

Make it a little easier on yourself and use a fusible web to bond the applique to the base fabric. Then use a wash away or tear away stabilizer on the back of the whole thing to do any machine stitching around the edges of the applique. If you leave out the stabilizer you really run the risk of distorting the whole piece. You'll be amazed at how easily it sews with that layer underneath. I also use a temporary basting spray to stick the stablizer to the back.

I'm dying for my fabric to arrive. Maybe tomorrow.

One Shabby Chick said...

Thanks for asking this question Jacquie since now we have a wonderful (and wise) response from Wendy!! I would have never thought about the tear-away stabilizer and always wonder why my applique pieces are kinda wonky - now I know!
I'm planning on using some type of fusible web too.

Hermione J. Schwartz said...

I have really enjoyed watching this blog unfold. What a fantastic idea and a great way to bring everyone out of her comfort zone for some fresh creative thinking. The Sew, Mama, Sew! blog had a few posts recently about how to applique. There were some directions and pictures to go along with it. You may want to check that out, too. Keep up the great work, ladies. I can't wait to see how all the quilts turn out! =]

jacquie said...

thanks wendy and drizzle too! good tips. i'm heading out to find some stabilizer and basting spray.

bettyninja said...

I think this one will be kind of hard too- since I have never really done a "good" applique yet either. I'm thinking that I will use a fusible interfacing type stuff that will make the block slightly stiffer in the end, but a whole lot easier on the whole stitching process. Can't wait to see what everyone makes...