Date: 7/7/10 9:36 PM

I am browsing through a book I got ages ago , Better Homes Complete Guide to Quilting. I have not really been into quilting and now find myself planning a baby quilt w/applique of an old bi-plane. Is the freezer paper way of making them the best way. Do I remove the paper before sewing it on. In this case it will be on a white cloud that will be sewn on to the topside quilt. I am an awful sketcher and will get my DH to draw the outline on the freezer paper. Is freezer paper I would have seen the butcher wrap meat with in the old days?

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It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. ~ Franklin D Roosevelt 1843
Janome 19606 ,Janome My Excel 4023, Brother 1034D, White 1750C, Kenmore 158.1803, White 764, Brother 780D.

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Reply to ukdame
Date: 7/7/10 10:22 PM

If you use freezer paper, yes, remove it before stitching your applique down.

Personally, I always use steam a seam. In essence, I'm making an iron on patch to put on my quilt top and then I stitch the edges down.

You are going to get alot of differing answers here!! Have fun!

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The single most important discovery made by a group of women? The Empty Tomb!

http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/

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Reply to Donna H
Date: 7/7/10 10:50 PM

Sorry I was up too late (typos galor) I have tried to clean it up. So if I turn my corners under abut 3/16 inch and do an attractive running stitch as a way do a permanent decorative stitch around the edges. Then I could sew the applique to the top layer fabric with a very small hand stitch close to the applique edges.
-- Edited on 7/8/10 9:11 PM --

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It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. ~ Franklin D Roosevelt 1843
Janome 19606 ,Janome My Excel 4023, Brother 1034D, White 1750C, Kenmore 158.1803, White 764, Brother 780D.

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Reply to ukdame
Date: 7/7/10 11:02 PM

If you are going to do a lot of the same shapes (like leaves, flower petals, etc.) I highly recommend the spray starch technique. It's in quite a few of the newer applique books. I will hand applique with the freezer paper on *top* of the fabric, using it as a guide for needle-turn applique and removed after all is sewn down, but that's the only way I'll use freezer paper.


ETA - to add this link for the spray starch method that I swear by. In her photos, she uses her fingers to help fold over the s/a but I use a stilletto (awl) to prevent burnt fingers.
-- Edited on 7/7/10 11:04 PM --

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Date: 7/7/10 11:53 PM

I use the same starch prep method she shows. I buy the bottle of stay-flo liquid and use it with a cheap craft paint brush. I find improved results if I paint on an edging of starch around multiple pieces, then go back to the first and press. Letting the starch really soak in helps it hold the shape rather than just flaking off.

Then, you can use hand stitching or machine stitching and the starch just rinses out when the project is complete. I like machine blind stitching with invisble thread best. Much faster than hand, but pretty close to invisible.

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Date: 7/8/10 0:04 AM

There are several different techniques as someone else mentioned. What I do is sew my fabric applique right sides together with a very light piece of interfacing or batiste leaving a small area to turn right sides out. After I turn it right sides out, I press the applique so the edges are flat and look nice. Then, I sew the applique on, but I may hold it in place first with a wash out spray adhesive. I'm sure I read these instructions in a book, but I have no idea what book. I think the technique I use may be similar to Donna's except I don't use the iron on stuff.

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Patty

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Date: 7/8/10 0:27 AM

Freezer paper is different from butcher's paper or waxed paper. You should be able to find it in big grocery stores in the same aisle as foil and plastic wrap. The coating on the wrong side will lightly adhere to fabric when ironed.

It's pretty reasonable for a big roll that lasts for years!

The technique I learned is to trace the pattern UPSIDE-DOWN on the freezer paper, then very carefully cut it out. Then iron the freezer paper to the fabric. Now you can cut out the applique piece with a very narrow seam allowance all around the freezer paper. You can cut very finely and accurately since the paper is reinforcing the fabric.

Then start turning under the seam allowance. I find the best way is to use one of those mini-irons so you can really get the tight curves and not burn your fingers. Work slowly for best results. Now you can position the applique piece--don't remove the paper at this point or you'll ruin all your hard work. Sew down the applique either by hand or using your blind hem stitch with the narrowest stitch width you can stand. The idea is to just catch one or to threads of the applique fabric.

You can remove the freezer paper one of two ways, depending on how fancy your applique piece is. If you have a long straight or only slightly curved spot, sew all the way around, leaving an inch or so open at that point. Dampen your fabric to loosen the hold on the freezer paper and pull it out. Then tuck your seam allowance back in and finish your sewing. If the entire applique piece is really complex, sew the entire thing down. Then using very fine embroidery scissors, cut out the backing fabric behind the applique piece, not getting too close to the stitching. Then dampen the fabric and pull out the freezer paper.

You can make beautiful, complex appliques this way. It's slow work, but the results are lovely.

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Date: 7/8/10 10:36 AM

There is no best method, but everyone has their favorites. I prefer not hand-sewing the applique on a child's quilt, other methods seem more durable.

I use a method similar to PattyU, except I use a lightweight fusible interface (one-side fusible like for garment sewing) to back the applique pieces.
1) trace the pattern on the smooth-side of the fusbile (not the glue side) with a fine permanent marker (the line will be hidden and you don't want the ink to bleed)
2) cut the interfacing pattern pieces out leaving 1/4" seam allowance
3) layer interfacing and applique fabric with the dotted (glue) side of the inrfacing against the right-side of the applique fabric (this will make sense in a couple of steps)
4) sew with a stright stitch around the applique on the drawn line on the intefacing. Do NOT press. Use a fairly small stitch
5) cut the pieces out using a 1/8" seam allowance
6) pinch the interfacing away from the fabric and cut a slit in it. Turn right-side out. gently poke out the points and smooth the curves.
7) Fuse to the quilt. There are no raw edges so no need to satin stitch. I like the country look of a blanket stitch in dark thread for childrens' quilt but a blind hem, zigzag or even a straight stitch near the edge will secure the edges well enough. Quilting through the applique will further secure it.

I first learned this technique from Eleanor Burns' show but have seen it elsewhere since.

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Tess
Bernina 150QE (2, actually), Brother PQ1500S, Elna 945 serger, Janome CP1000
Vintage Singers: 221 Featherweight (2), 15-91, 201-2, 503

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Reply to TessKwiltz
Date: 7/8/10 11:26 AM

Quote: TessKwiltz

There is no best method, but everyone has their favorites. I prefer not hand-sewing the applique on a child's quilt, other methods seem more durable. I use a method similar to PattyU, except I use a lightweight fusible interface (one-side fusible like for garment sewing) to back the applique pieces. 1) trace the pattern on the smooth-side of the fusbile (not the glue side) with a fine permanent marker (the line will be hidden and you don't want the ink to bleed) 2) cut the interfacing pattern pieces out leaving 1/4" seam allowance 3) layer interfacing and applique fabric with the dotted (glue) side of the inrfacing against the right-side of the applique fabric (this will make sense in a couple of steps) 4) sew with a stright stitch around the applique on the drawn line on the intefacing. Do NOT press. Use a fairly small stitch 5) cut the pieces out using a 1/8" seam allowance 6) pinch the interfacing away from the fabric and cut a slit in it. Turn right-side out. gently poke out the points and smooth the curves. 7) Fuse to the quilt. There are no raw edges so no need to satin stitch. I like the country look of a blanket stitch in dark thread for childrens' quilt but a blind hem, zigzag or even a straight stitch near the edge will secure the edges well enough. Quilting through the applique will further secure it. I first learned this technique from Eleanor Burns' show but have seen it elsewhere since.

Your instructions were so much clearer than mine. I think I may try this with fusible interfacing.

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Patty

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Reply to TessKwiltz
Date: 7/8/10 5:29 PM

Quote: TessKwiltz

There is no best method, but everyone has their favorites. I prefer not hand-sewing the applique on a child's quilt, other methods seem more durable. I use a method similar to PattyU, except I use a lightweight fusible interface (one-side fusible like for garment sewing) to back the applique pieces. 1) trace the pattern on the smooth-side of the fusbile (not the glue side) with a fine permanent marker (the line will be hidden and you don't want the ink to bleed) 2) cut the interfacing pattern pieces out leaving 1/4" seam allowance 3) layer interfacing and applique fabric with the dotted (glue) side of the inrfacing against the right-side of the applique fabric (this will make sense in a couple of steps) 4) sew with a stright stitch around the applique on the drawn line on the intefacing. Do NOT press. Use a fairly small stitch 5) cut the pieces out using a 1/8" seam allowance 6) pinch the interfacing away from the fabric and cut a slit in it. Turn right-side out. gently poke out the points and smooth the curves. 7) Fuse to the quilt. There are no raw edges so no need to satin stitch. I like the country look of a blanket stitch in dark thread for childrens' quilt but a blind hem, zigzag or even a straight stitch near the edge will secure the edges well enough. Quilting through the applique will further secure it. I first learned this technique from Eleanor Burns' show but have seen it elsewhere since.

Thank you for this...I've been wondering how to do an applique without raw edges and satin stitch as I also want to do a baby quilt. I think I'll try this myself

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