I am doing my first applique quilt...and as with anything else...I don't start with a small project! I am doing flowers on 42 9 inch squares on a full size quilt. I started to sew around the raw edge applique but the fabric is pulling up and it looks terrible! I have searched hi and low and cannot find answers to fix this. My fabric will not lay flat now. What am I doing wrong? How do I fix this?
Thanks!
Joy
Mooresville, NC
I am fairly new at applique myself but I'm sure there will be someone to answer your questions. I just wanted to welcome you to the forums and hope to see more of you
Nana
Vinton, Virginia
Joy, do you have a stabilizer on the back of the flowers? If not, you need to do that. You might also have to put a stabilizer on the back of the fabric to which you're stitching the flowers. When I do this kind of applique, I go really slowly, probably slower than most. I stop often so I can get the fabric I'm going to stitch next in a straight line for the stitching. I also use a smaller stitch length, like make 1.5. Finally, you may have to adjust the pressure of the pressure foot. Oh, and one more thing - if the throat plate of your machine has the wide needle hole for zig-zag stitching, if you can, change it to the one with just the single hole for up-and-down stitching. (That's probably not what it's called, but it's all I can think of.)
I'm sure others will have other, and probably better, suggestions for you.
Finally, I don't think I welcomed you when you posted before, so welcome to the QCA forums!
Gillette, WY
Joy, I'm far from an expert on this subjet but are you using a stabelizer underneath your applique? There are several different kinds. I like the tear-away.
I just wanted to welcome you to the forums and hope to see more of you
I am fairly new at applique myself but I'm sure there will be someone out there to answer your questions.
Hello Joy and welcome to QCA!
I do a lot of applique by machine and I do not usually use a stabilizer. I have found that if I starch the heck out of the squares before I apply the appliques the foundation fabric will not pucker and distort. All of my applique pieces are either lined with wonder under or have fusible interfacing sewn on (sewn right sides together and then turned through so the fusible part is on the outside) so the pieces themselves do not need extra stabilizing. I attach the appliques with a satin stitch, because I prefer the look but the same process will work with other stitches. Once you complete the quilt and launder it the starch washes out so the finished quiltis not stiff. If you are making a wall-hanging or other project not designed to be laundered I would definately consider Judy's suggestion using the stabilizers. They do work very well at preventing the same issues, they are just a more expensive option.
Shellie - south central Washington state
Linaria Dalmatica Designs
Joy, I use a water soluble stabilizer on the back of my blocks - if I haven't used an interfacing like Shellie. It all depends on what kind of applique I am doing but most of the time i use that stabilizer keep the fabric from shrinking up to much with the stitches.
I have used starch once in a while and you do have to starch the living **** out of the piece - I don't mind doing that I just usually forget that I can and since I do some machine embroidery I have all sorts of stablizer that is always needing to be used up.
Thank you! for the warm welcome! It's wonderful to be part of QCA!
Judy, I have heat bond lite on the back of the flowers and leaves and such. I will try putting stabilizer on the back of my foundation squares. What kind of foot do you recommend? I have heard to use a regular clear foot and some say to use a free motion foot. I would like to do a decorative or blanket stitch...which is best?
Joy: I am doing my first applique quilt...and as with anything else...I don't start with a small project! I am doing flowers on 42 9 inch squares on a full size quilt. I started to sew around the raw edge applique but the fabric is pulling up and it looks terrible! I have searched hi and low and cannot find answers to fix this. My fabric will not lay flat now. What am I doing wrong? How do I fix this? Thanks! Joy
Joy, I'm sorry I missed this but wanted to say Hi and welcome to QCA
Most everyone has already said you need stabilizer. I use the tear away on my raw edge applique, there is no right or wrong just what ever works best for you. Don't be afraid to try a couple of diffrent ways on some practice pieces to see what you like best. Good luck and I hope you will post pictures when you are done.
Life is like a quilt...bits & pieces, joy -and- sorrow, stitched with love
I can't find my starch and I don't have any stabilizer so I guess I must go back to the quilt shop! What foot do you recommend using for applique Shellie?
I use an opentoe applique foot so I can see, you will get lots of diffrent answers on this also LOL
Thanks! And I will post pics here when I'm done,,,even if it comes out horrible!
Spudgrandma:you will get lots of diffrent answers on this also
Yes, you will...and here's my two cents. If you want to do buttonhole or decorative stitch you can't use a free motion foot...at least I wouldn't be able to.
Yours in Stitches, Laura Lee in Salome AZ (Where she danced)
I agree with Laura Lee - open toe applique or quilting foot or the foot you would use for zig zag stitch