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Member since 12/2/13
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Posted on: 1/19/15 9:44 PM ET
So, I opened my big mouth about some baby pants I was making and now someone wants a pair with a coordinating onesie. I need to learn how to applique something cute onto the white knit top! Pronto! : eek :

I have been practicing with Wonder Under (cool stuff!) but am not sure on the stitching going around. I have surmised that the right needle position is right next to the fabric in the knit. How far in should the left position go?

Also, how tight together should the stitches be? I'm using the zigzag. My practice pieces don't feed well through the feed dogs when the stitch length is down at the buttonhole setting... Should I put tissue paper under it to help it feed? Washaway stabilizer? All those stitches so close together won't put a hole in the knit?

Thank you for any tips. Pictures of your zigzags are appreciated!


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Learning how to sew... one ripped out seam at a time!
  
Member since 4/1/08
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Posted on: 1/19/15 10:13 PM ET
In reply to Beaglemama
Maybe this will help.....

Cat's Appliqué Sew a Long, found in 'Quilter's Corner' section of message board.
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Each fallen petal reveals a life pollinated by a colony
and nurtured by The Master Gardener.
  
Member since 9/8/12
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Posted on: 1/20/15 0:00 AM ET
I used to do a lot of machine applique and am starting to do it again.

I found this blog very useful.
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Kathy

My Flickr Sewing Albums: https://www.flickr.com/photos/117010065@N05/albums
My sewing dream: Make a really great fitting pair of pants!
  
Member since 9/1/08
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Posted on: 1/20/15 1:41 AM ET
In reply to Beaglemama
You may have to experiment with the stitch to find what works best for your fabric. I made my daughter a Bambi costume last year with contrasting appliqued spots in a stretch lycra using a zigzag stitch. I fused the spots to stabiliser before stitching them to the fabric (I believe it was vliesofix but any soft stabiliser will do). I used a stitch length of 1 and width of 1 but you can go even smaller for less noticeable stitches. As this was a dance costume that would only be seen from the stage, I wasn't too concerned about invisible stitches. Be careful if going much smaller to catch the fabric. The needle swings to the right at the edge of the applique or just off the edge and then swings in. If you're just starting out you might want a wider stitch of 1.5 to make sure you catch the fabric. This is for raw edge applique, turned applique is different again. A blanket stitch is also very nice, particularly for baby things. What you're describing is more of a satin stitch, with a very short stitch length and very wide stitch width. I've used a satin stitch for applique but only on cottons, it may be too dense for knits. Don't forget to use a ballpoint needle and fine thread. Bottom Line from Superior Threads is a gorgeous applique thread, it's a 60wt rather than 50wt polyester thread and melts into the fabric. You will also need the open toed embroidery foot or applique foot for this A good investment, particularly if you plan on doing a lot of applique work. Good luck.
  
Member since 6/4/07
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Posted on: 1/20/15 3:36 PM ET
In reply to Beaglemama
Quote: Beaglemama
I have been practicing with Wonder Under (cool stuff!) but am not sure on the stitching going around. I have surmised that the right needle position is right next to the fabric in the knit. How far in should the left position go?
I don't understand this question re. needle positions so I'll just throw this out: I zig zag over an appliqué's perimeter. One side of the zig zag falls exactly (or as exactly as I can manage) on the appliqué's edge. The other side of the zig zag falls on the "interior" of the appliqué.


Quote: Beaglemama
Also, how tight together should the stitches be? I'm using the zigzag. My practice pieces don't feed well through the feed dogs when the stitch length is down at the buttonhole setting... Should I put tissue paper under it to help it feed? Washaway stabilizer? All those stitches so close together won't put a hole in the knit?
I don't use a "buttonhole" or "satin" zig zag stitch because it's too bulky and can get stuck at the back edge of the presser foot's opening. I think this is your problem as well? Instead, I zig zag with a somewhat-long stitch length, so the stitching is more sparse and therefore has less bulk. For a "satin stitch" appearance I zig zag again (and again, as necessary) over the first stitching.

-- Edited on 1/20/15 at 3:38 PM --
  
Member since 2/17/06
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Posted on: 1/20/15 4:24 PM ET
In reply to Beaglemama
My preferred stitch for applique is a nice, tight satin stitch. Can you adjust your presser foot pressure so the fabric feeds better?

How far the needle needs to go into the applique and outside of it all depends on your project. If you get tunneling, or it looks like your stitches are squeezing into themselves, make the stitches shorter.

If your fabric is not feeding at all, lessen the density, or how close the stitches are to each other.

Since you are stitching on knit, stabilizer would probably help. You could use a wash away that would leave no bulk.

I have pictures of applique stitching on cotton, not knits.

I do use a tight satin stitch



this one has much shorter stitches


here is what the back looks like

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Cathryn
  
Member since 6/4/07
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Posted on: 1/21/15 10:11 AM ET
Here are a couple of examples to illustrate what I meant about stitch position and density:

A cape that I made for art2love. Specifically:



Here is another cape. I zig zagged all outlines of the pieces on this cape. Unfortunately, its pics do not show the stitching very closely:


  
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