Free Quilting Tips

I'll continue sharing my quilting tips as time permits.  Be sure to check out the archive!

Machine Applique tips- August 2011

Some day when you are just feeling like sewing something, try this:

• Cut a light color piece of fabric at 8-1/2" x 11"
• Fuse a big piece of green fabric
• Draw a bunch of simple leaves, not touching, on the green
• Cut them out and fuse them in rows on the white or light fabric
• Choose a decorative stitch on your machine, perhaps one you have never tried
• Adjust the length and width of the stitch until it looks right
• Cew around one of the leaves
• with a pen, write the stitch number, length and width on the background beside the sewn leaf
• Repeat with all other leaves, using different decorative stitches
• Slide the fabric leaf page into a clear protective sleeve and place it in a notebook

Next time you are feeling adventurous, open your book and make another page of stitches

Now you have a great reference when you start on a project, just look up the stitch you like in your notebook, and there is the setting you need for your machine.

Points to remember when doing "real" machine applique.  By that I mean not just a practice piece, but on your actual project:

• When you start you will leave a fairly good length of bobbin and top thread
• When you end, leave a length of bobbin and top thread before cutting
• Turn the project over and at the starting end, tug lightly on the bobbin thread and pull up a little loop of top thread.
• Knot these two ends together on the back; knot twice then trim excess.
• Do the same with the ending area.
• Now you won't have any little pieces of thread pulling out or showing on the front where you don't want them.  If the front thread does not pull through easily, thread the tail on a hand needle and pull it through to the back.  Or use a self-threading needle.

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