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Member since 10/30/10
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Posted on: 7/16/14 1:14 PM ET
I am making this quilt and am ready to start to applique the flower on.

I have cut out all my petals and circles. I have some fusible web I can use to "paste" them all down. My question is this: Do I need to use stabilizer or will the fusible web be enough?

I would like to use a satin stitch since the petals will be flannel - hence they will fray over time. But before I commit I would like to experiment a bit. I have a ton of deco stitches that might work too.

I have never done applique before so appreciate all and any tips.



  
Member since 12/15/02
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Posted on: 7/16/14 1:19 PM ET
In reply to JJane
If you use the fusible the edges will be ok. You really don't need a stabilizer also. Easy for a bed quilt you don't want it real stiff. An depending on the fusible you use could make it stiffer. If it's going to be washed a lot the satin stitch is a good choice.
  
Member since 10/7/07
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Posted on: 7/16/14 3:02 PM ET
If doing satin stitching I would use a stabilizer on back to reduce puckering since that is the applique stitch that puckers the most
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Member since 10/30/10
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Posted on: 7/16/14 3:46 PM ET
Thanks!!

I think my watching all those Fons and Porter shows must be paying off because that is what I thought but wasn't sure. I hate to go buy stabilizer if it is not really necessary.

I think I am going to go with a tighter stitch like a satin stitch to make sure that the petals don't fray. It is a baby blanket so it will get washed a LOT.

  
Member since 2/17/06
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Posted on: 7/16/14 5:34 PM ET
In reply to JJane
I use a satin stitch on most of my appliques, and do not use stabilizer with fusibles.
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Member since 5/2/09
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Posted on: 7/17/14 3:33 AM ET
In reply to JJane
Fusible web often makes fabric stiff enough. But if you don't want the whole flower petals stiff like that (just since they are kind of large) you could even cut the fusible web the shape of the petals, and then before fusing it on,to even one side on them, cut out the web part in the center of them, only leaving maybe 5/8 of an inch of the web on the part you are going to satin stitch down over even. That way it would be fused onto there, and stiff enough to satin stitch without tunneling maybe, but not make it stiffer under the rest of the middle of petal parts.

Or, you might even be able to cut the web the same shapes, straight stitch it onto the right side of each one, with just a narrow seam, but not on the part that meets in the center of the flower, notch the seams, then turn them inside out, then iron them down and all the edges of the large petals would actually have the flannel edges turned under, before you even fused them down. That way when you satin stitch over them later, and wash it a bunch of times, no raw flannel edge under the satin stitching to even ever try to start to ravel or fray.
-- Edited on Today at 3:37 AM --
  
Member since 10/30/10
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Posted on: 7/17/14 10:18 AM ET
In reply to beauturbo
That is a great idea - sewing the fusible and then turning them. I think I would also cut the petals a tad bigger too to compensate for what you lose in the turning.

I actually got them on yesterday. What I did though was cut the fusing out of the middle of the petals so only the edges are stiff.

I also have this jagged looking satin stitch - I think some people call it a grass stitch. I am thinking of using that instead of a nice neat satin stitch - which will look amazing if I do a good job. This might be more kid like. Maybe a bit more forgiving too.

Hummm... starting to like this applique stuff - it's fun!!
  
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Posted on: 7/18/14 2:11 PM ET
You can use freezer paper as stabilizer. Iron it on the back of the quilt top, after the appliqué is fused in place. It peels off very easily.
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