Ta da! I now have a new appreciation for the labor that goes into applique. I took the easy route by using a fusible product and finishing the edges with a short zigzag stitch. This is my first experience using Steam A Seam fusible web (sheets), and although this product is very easy to manipulate (reposition pieces, etc.) I was a little disappointed that my edges looked frayed after stitching. I experimented with both a traditional applique blanket stitch and a zigzag, finally settling on the zigzag. I also can't mention how many times I stupidly traced my pattern onto the wrong side of the fusible web! I bet someone has a neat trick for avoiding this like marking some colored dots on one side. If you have a helpful tip, please let me know.
I'd love some feedback from anyone who has tried Piece O' Cake Designs' overlay method of applique. The overlay is a print of the pattern (I traced mine onto tracing paper) in which you "overlay" on top of the pieces prior to sewing to ensure proper positioning of the pieces. I found this to be very tedious but I wanted to give it a try. No doubt the results are very precise, but in this case, I'm not sure how imporant that is to me.
6 comments:
Hey, Claudia! I love the fabric choices for your flowers and birds -- wonderful! I have not used the overlay; my favorite method is to use a lightbox (just like a person uses for stained glass) and place the pieces under the drawing of the block -- seems to go pretty fast for me! I am actually using the lightbox my Dad had made to do stained glass many years ago -- makes me think there are directions available somewhere.
This is gorgeous Claudia. xo
I am envious of you for taking up applique - and it looks great! I love that you have different background fabrics - it gives it an extra bit of interest. I have a real mental block against doing anything that requires doing something (tracing) on the reverse side of things - it just never ends in anything but tears. It is why I don't style my hair in the mirror!
Hi Claudia! I have traced my shapes on the wrong side of the fusible many times! When I use steam a seam I first look for the paper that peels off easily...that is the one I don't want to draw on....I think :) I have one of the Piece O Cake books, but I have not completed an applique project from it. I thought the same thing when I was reading through - that it seemed a bit tedious. Sorry I am not much help to you. But your applique looks great! I like the applique on a pieced background!
I love your pieced backing on the block! I just used some steam a seam and machine appliqued them down. I'm thinking you really still need a tight blanket stitch, or zig zag like you used, as mine were fraying a bit too with the stitch that I used....
Your block,it looks great!!
This is great. And a ton of hard work! I can't find that product you mention here so perhaps I will have to order online from the States and give it a try.
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