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Monday, January 3, 2011

Happy New Year!

Are you excited for a new year? I sure am!

My kids went back to school today and I couldn't be more thrilled. Oh I love those little munchkins but it is so hard to get things done when they're home. And I have TONS to get done.

As I was getting ready for my day today I started thinking about APPLIQUE. I recently heard it referred to as the "A" word. So I started wondering what your thoughts on applique were.

Do you Applique?
What method do you use?

If you don't applique, why?
What are your fears/concerns/trepidations of applique?

I'm just looking to hear what others think. So don't be shy. Leave me a comment and tell me your thoughts! :o)
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16 comments:

  1. Lee Ann L.January 3, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    I am not a fan of Applique. I love them on quilts; but, I cannot do it for the life of me. It always turns out into a huge mess. LOL. :-)

    Maybe I should try again and this time just plow through... Hmmm....

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  2. LoriJanuary 3, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    I have tried applique only once. It intimidates me. Do you have any tips. I have some antique Dresden plates that I would love to applique on blocks, but I'm to chicken to try.

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  3. lisaJanuary 3, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    I do applique, but I much prefer not to. I don't have a machine that does it well and I usually don't have time to sit and hand do it myself (plus I love to Counted Cross Stitch, so I'd rather spend my hand sewing time on that or the back side of bindings (or my english paper pieced hexagones that keep getting back burnered)

    I have only learned the fueseable style, maybe some day I'd take some time to learn that one where you don't see the edges of the fabric, that always looks so nice and clean but not right now thanks!

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  4. JanellJanuary 3, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Em! Look I made quilts!

    http://sparepages.blogspot.com/2011/01/christmas-quilts.html

    They are very amateur, but I'm still proud of myself. :) Just wanted to share with you! Hope you are doing well.

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  5. LisaJanuary 3, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Nope, never tried it, luv the look of it and have purchased a pattern, just have taken the leap yet. Hubby bought me a new janome for Christmas, so i'm thinking now is the time to give it a try...Yikes!!

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  6. LeneslinesJanuary 3, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    I love applique. Sometimes I am just tired of machine sewing, and enjoy the relaxation of applique. I use freezer paper underneath, makes for good points on leaves among others. What I struggle most with: the placement of the pieces. I keep trying new methods, but not found the big solution yet. My next challenge after now having finished DJ is the Ciwil War Bride quilt. Looking forward to starting it.

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  7. Vroomans' QuiltsJanuary 3, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    I was intimidated by applique too, but I figured you can't say NO without trying. SO I found some tutorials and tried different methods. It depends on the pattern, size of pieces and look I want as to which method I use now. I still tend to do just a little on a wallhanging, table runner or bag - but that is because my skill needs to improve. I prefer needleturn the best - but if there are a lot of little pieces or a lot of points, I use freezer paper.

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  8. KristenJanuary 3, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    I enjoy applique and have only ever done it by hand. I have learned several techniques through various classes, including one with Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins from Piece O' Cake, but I find that I prefer to cut freezer paper templates, iron them on top of my applique piece, and then use needleturn applique to affix them to my background on which I mark the placement of the piece. I'm currently working on hand-quilting a 30's style quilt made of elephants which I appliqued and embroidered detail all by hand. I like the comfort of working on something in my lap without any machines, and I also like the finished look of it.

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  9. BarbaraJanuary 3, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    I LOVE hand applique...in fact I much prefer it to machine stitching. So relaxing. I do not do needle turn applique however. My favorite method is fusible applique using wool. Very easy to do.

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  10. kimlandJanuary 3, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    curious, intrigued, intimidated, afraid, VERY afraid to try it on my own

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  11. MommarockJanuary 3, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    I am a newer quilter, and I don't have a machine, so applique does appeal to me. I am currently doing a hexagon quilt, but I am eyeballing Applique for my next project. I love the flowers and leaves the vines.. oh I think they are just delightful, and I WILL make a quilt with them. What is holding me back??? Finding just the "right pattern" to get me started. If I am going to spend a LOT of time and complete a quilt, I better LOVE the pattern. #2, getting all of the supplies to start the pattern. Some need perfect circles, perfect stems. #3 Deciding on the fabric.. Oh just get it right.. I have decided however that freezer paper is the right choice for me. I have looked at many of the other choices, and I think this will work the best for me.

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  12. JenniffierJanuary 3, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    I have appliqued one time. I actually enjoyed it, but never finished the project. It is in my ufo pile and has been for 10+ years. However, I am tackling machine applique starting to night... We will see how it goes.

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  13. onlymehereJanuary 4, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    I use the freezer paper technique the most and I love it best! I'm actually working on a quilt right now that I'm designing as I go with memories of my son's mission. I was a little leery of applique to and making it look nice but it really isn't that hard. I took a class to learn to applique thinking I'd break down and do it by hand (carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and now it's coming back but I loved the pattern she was teaching so I was willing to do it that way) but among the many methods she taught she taught the freezer paper technique and I loved it and was off and running!

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  14. WendiJanuary 4, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    Love it, love the look, love the comfort of working on something in my lap, love it all! I usually use freezer paper. I iron it on the back, use the iron to iron the seam allowance under, remove back and start stitching.

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  15. YvonneJanuary 4, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    I love to Applique but only learned to do it with (what we call in Holland) a Feston stitch, or Blanket stitch. It is fun to do!

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  16. CoryJanuary 5, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    I love applique. I enjoy the hand work sitting in front of the tv with my family in the evenings. I think I have tried every form of applique there is. I prefer needle turn with back basting. I recently tried startch and glue basting and am loving the fact that I can prep a whole block and then work on the applique rather that stitch a piece down, go back to the sewing room and baste another piece, etc. Good Luck on the sewing machine search. I hope you find one you are happy with. Take care and God bless, Cory

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