Tell all: applique stitching tips

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Tell all: applique stitching tips

March 2, 2011 by ivoryspring

Yesterday I mentioned that I would share with you my machine applique tips, because quilters would write and ask about the stitches I use on my applique from time to time.

Well, you probably won’t be all that impressed after I share with you my little secret! And really, it truly is no big patent-able idea! On my published quilts, my method of choice for applique is blanket stitched fusible applique.

I set my blanket stitches teeny tiny in order to achieve the neat and tidy look. The stitch width and length are between 1.4-1.6 on my Bernina on the fabric. For fabrics that tend to fray easily, I use 1.6. Otherwise, I try to set my stitches as small as possible.

I have also found that stitching with fine threads makes my stitches look better. I have used both YLI Silk 100 and Aurifil Mako 50 Cotton with very satisfactory results.

Up close and personal: You can see in this next picture the effect of buttonhole stitching with YLI silk 100. To me, the stitches look neater with a finer weight thread. I also like the fact that stitches stitched with the finer weight thread do not have an overpowering effect on the overall applique. You can see that the stitches penetrate about 3 threads into the fabric weave. I generally do not go more than three or four threads with the width penetration. And with a much shorter stitch length, I was able to nicely follow the shape of the applique shapes. Undoubtedly with tiny stitches, it takes more time to cover the territory so to speak, but it’s worth the extra effort and time:

Joan asked about the foot I use – I almost exclusively use my 20C foot because its wide opening affords me the best visibility. I would imagine any foot you have that has a wide opening and can accommodate the widths of the blanket stitch would work.

Photo from http://www.berninausa.com

So, there you have it. My not-so-impressive secrets are out. Your thoughts (especially after you try my method)?

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Posted in Freebies, Ideas, Tutorials, Quilting | Tagged Buttonhole Stitches, Machine Applique Tips | 41 Comments

41 Responses

on March 2, 2011 at 12:21 am | Reply Betty

Thanks for your tips. It looks great and I will give it a try.
on March 2, 2011 at 12:26 am | Reply Carol

Wendy: Thank you so much for sharing. All your work looks so neat and very professional as always so now I must try to do this. I think I was using to heavy thread plus too long a stitches. Thanks a million. You are a motivator to me.
on March 2, 2011 at 12:33 am | Reply Wendy

I’ve been wondering what foot you use. Thank you for showing a picture of it.
on March 2, 2011 at 12:41 am | Reply Barb

Thanks for the tips…
on March 2, 2011 at 2:06 am | Reply Debbie

Thanks for the tips. I will use them on my next project. Could you recommend a brand of fusible web? Would you be able to wash the quilts or is it more suitable for decorative wallhangings only. Your work is beautiful and I enjoy all your posts, thanks.
on March 2, 2011 at 2:07 am | Reply Lynette

OK. I just tried this, and I do like the unobtrusiveness of the tiny blankets.

Have you used this stitching style on any quilts that get used and WASHED much? Does it hold up well? Or do the edges get really fuzzy after a couple of washes?

Thanks!
on March 2, 2011 at 2:10 am | Reply Kay Lynne

I am so happy to know that you use the same applique stitch that I do. I’ve experimented with other stitches and I always go back to the blanket stitch. Thank you so much for all the tips. You do beautiful work!
on March 2, 2011 at 2:29 am | Reply Caroll D

Thanks for these tips. I’m anxious to try some of them as I usually don’t like fusing and blanket stitch. However, on your quilts they are beautiful and now I want to try it. I’m particularly interested in trying those different threads. Thanks again.
on March 2, 2011 at 2:38 am | Reply Joan

Thank you SO much Wendy – that is all sew helpful I will certainly keep the notes and try this…its something I am not at all good at. Its always a pleasure to see what you do and also how you do it…Again – I thank you
on March 2, 2011 at 2:46 am | Reply Bunny

I have used the same stictch on my machine called the pin stitch. I however have never used silk, and I will try that. Thanks for the tip. Bunny
on March 2, 2011 at 2:48 am | Reply Linda

The only tip or comment I would add is that being a Bernina user myself, whenever I machine applique I am sure to thread the bobbin thread through the “finger” of the bobbin case. That little extra step makes all the difference to achieve a thread tension that keeps the bobbin thread below the surface of the quilt. I love the precision and beauty of your stitches, Wendy!
on March 2, 2011 at 6:08 am | Reply Janet

Your applique is as neat as your quilting. Thanks for the tips.
on March 2, 2011 at 6:16 am | Reply Allie

This is the only type of applique I do – well, I also do blanket stitch by hand, I find it very soothing. I use my walking foot to do it on my machine, and machine embroidery thread. My favorite way to applique!
on March 2, 2011 at 8:56 am | Reply letrecivette

Hi dear Wendy! Every time here there are something to learn!
Monica
on March 2, 2011 at 9:52 am | Reply Jenny's Craft Place

It all looks lovely, and nice to see you make it easy for newcomers who might be put off by the traditional turning method to try. As to free motion quilting, I still haven’t been game enough to give it a try Happy crafting, Jenny
on March 2, 2011 at 10:54 am | Reply Larri

I’m just glad to know it’s that easy! LOL I’ll give it a try very soon and let you know of my results. Thanks so much for sharing! Happy Wednesday!
on March 2, 2011 at 1:38 pm | Reply Carrie P.

Great tips. Pat Sloan is coming to our guild and she will be doing a workshop on machine applique so I will be giving it a try.
on March 2, 2011 at 3:11 pm | Reply Janet

Thank you for the tips! I have never went to that small of a blanket stitch. I will be trying it next time. I love your appliqued quilts.
on March 2, 2011 at 3:31 pm | Reply Denise in PA

Beautiful! I usually do a satin stitch for my machine applique unless I’m going for a chunky buttonhole with black thread. But, yours looks so pretty, I’m definitely going to add it to my repetoire!! Thanks so much for the tutorial!
on March 2, 2011 at 4:51 pm | Reply Barbara H.

I wish I had the steadiness of hand to do that kind of thing by machine. So pretty!
on March 2, 2011 at 6:08 pm | Reply quiltobsession

You have the most amazing skill to be able to make such perfect stitches around all kinds of shapes!
on March 2, 2011 at 6:34 pm | Reply Pat

Thanks for the great tips. I will try this on my next applique project.
on March 6, 2011 at 2:08 am | Reply Eileen Keane

Wendy, do you turn under the edges of your fabric before you stitch it down? It’s hard to tell in the pictures. I’ve done very limited machine applique but after seeing yours’, I’d like to give it a try.
- on March 6, 2011 at 2:48 pm | Reply ivoryspring
  
  I don’t for fusible applique. As long as you get the fusible fused really good on the back of the fabric, you should be okay.
  
  Wendy
on March 6, 2011 at 10:04 pm | Reply rebeka

Hi Wendy! I´m spanish dealer of bernina, and I love them so much too. I love to make my works with bernina 440 and my 830. I use this stich so much. My last work made with ir was a Christmas quilt of Nina Halvorsen. It is so wonderful work! If you want to see it is in my blog. Thanks and bye!
on July 13, 2011 at 4:40 pm | Reply Tutorial: Machine Fusible Applique « Ivory Spring

[...] For stitching tips, click here! [...]
on July 13, 2011 at 5:51 pm | Reply Billie K

Thanks Wendy for both Tutes!
on July 14, 2011 at 1:52 pm | Reply Candied Pomegranate: Sneak Peek #1 « Ivory Spring

[...] the traditional green and red pomegranate blocks a whimsical and pastel twist! Click here and here to read how I have prepped and stitched these [...]
on July 14, 2011 at 2:42 pm | Reply Sherri

these tips are awesome…thanks for taking the time to let us know all of this…

where did you find the pattern for the teacup and saucer. that is just the cutest..

thanks for all you share with us
on December 22, 2011 at 11:58 pm | Reply Elaine Tanner

Your tips are very helpful, can’t wait to try this after Christmas. Do you use a stabilizer on the back?
on April 28, 2012 at 5:26 am | Reply Susan

Thanks for sharing your tips….any suggestions on how to deal with curves and sharp points?
on June 6, 2012 at 12:01 am | Reply A Sprinkle of Spring in FONS and PORTER’S LOVE OF QUILTING (May/June 2012) « Ivory Spring

[...] in a contrasting thread (for visual purposes) I did on the appliqued flowers. You may click here and here to read a bit more about how I do my fusible machine [...]
on July 2, 2012 at 12:26 pm | Reply Out of the Nest in THE QUILTER (August/September 2012) « Ivory Spring

[...] Applique was machine fusible, using Warm Company’s Steam-A-Seam 2 fusible web. The appliqued pieces were then finished with blanket stitches. [...]
on September 28, 2012 at 8:16 pm | Reply Midwinter Night Pillow in THE QUILTER (Holiday 2012) « Ivory Spring

[...] used fusible machine applique method to applique the tree branch and birds. Click here, and here to read about my articles on fusible machine [...]
on November 6, 2012 at 1:09 pm | Reply julie beard

Wendy, This is my first time on your page. Looking at you applique work it is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your work as not all of us can afford to pay for lessons.
on January 16, 2013 at 5:28 pm | Reply Baubles, Baubles in Fons and Porter’s EASY QUILTS (Spring 2013) « Ivory Spring

[...] the traditional curve piecing method. Can you spot the tiny buttonhole stitches? You may click here to read about the buttonhole stitches I use when I do machine fusible [...]
on January 17, 2013 at 2:48 am | Reply jo-schindler

Thankyou Wendy for sharing with us. I have been fussing over learning how to applique, and your tips look like something I can handle. You inspire me to try more and more things with my quilting. I wish the best for you and yours to get better soon.
on February 3, 2013 at 11:07 am | Reply Janet Dixon

hi Wendy thanks for your page it is so clear to understand and follow I enjoyed trying it could I ask your advice when I sewn an applique onto a cotton bag the hole where the needle went into the bag was very noticable any idea how to stop that from happening it did not show on the applique just the bag side any help would be great thanks Janet x
on March 25, 2013 at 8:49 pm | Reply Kay Dungavell

Do you stabalize the fabric that you are sewing the applique on to?
- on March 26, 2013 at 5:11 pm | Reply ivoryspring
  
  Hi Kay,
  
  It depends on the weight of the fabrics I am working with – sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. When I do, I either would use a thin iron-on fusible web, or just thin paper that I can easily tear away later.
  
  Hope this helps, WS
on April 18, 2013 at 11:01 am | Reply Eleni Sarantoglou

oh i love using blanket stitch on my applique, but since my machine does not have this stitch, i do it by hand. However, when i buy my next machine, i will make sure it has all the stitches i could possibly ever use! To conclude, i just wanted to say i really enjoy your stitches and all the pic and your notes are great for all of us! Thanks for sharing!