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Janet Wickell

What's Your Favorite Appliqué Method?

By , About.com GuideAugust 18, 2008

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One of my fall projects is to finish something I've been putting off -- building the Quilting site's appliqué how-to resources. I think I have a mental block of sorts about writing about it, but several appliqué patterns are about ready to go live, including Pitchers for Tildy's Cabin, a small quilt that combines paper piecing with appliqué (later today is the goal for that quilt). So I need to get as many techniques covered as possible.

There are lots of variations for hand and machine appliqué, and right now the plan is to start with hand sewing methods. If you're just starting out with appliqué, the question that's part of the poll below suits just fine. Anyone who's experienced should change the question to What's your favorite appliqué technique? -- responses from quilters in both groups will help me decide how to work through the articles.

Comments

August 19, 2008 at 1:28 am
(1) Lynne Stucke says:

Re hand applique: I’d like to learn how to turn the edges on a long, tapering point (as in a pointed, less than 45 degree angle, leaf). How does one get all that fabric tucked into such a tiny little point?

August 19, 2008 at 9:28 am
(2) Dot says:

My carpal tunnel prevents me from hand sewing, but I am able to fuse and applique on a machine. I would enjoy learning how to do this process so that it looks great and yet is not too hard to do.
Thank you for all of your helpful articles.

August 19, 2008 at 10:44 am
(3) Sandy says:

How do I change the question to “What’s your favorite technique?” I don’t find the way to do that..thanks

August 19, 2008 at 11:40 am
(4) Janet Wickell says:

Hi, You don’t need to change the actual question, just ask yourself that instead. Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

August 19, 2008 at 4:18 pm
(5) Edris says:

I enjoy needle turn using the butcher paper method or have learn the back basting method this past year and enjoying the process. Since I began these methods I have enjoyed applique. Looking forward to you having more about applique and patterns on your site!!

August 19, 2008 at 8:49 pm
(6) Bev says:

I’ve been quilting for 3 years but just getting the courage to start applique. I’d love to learn how to do all methods so I can decide which I like the best.

August 21, 2008 at 9:37 am
(7) Sami Fatheree says:

I love to hand applique. Any method is good but i would like to learn more about freezer paper applique.

August 21, 2008 at 5:25 pm
(8) Libby says:

I, too, would like to know more about any and all meathods of applique.

August 23, 2008 at 3:56 am
(9) Helen says:

Traditional (hand) appliquè takes waaaaay too much time, machine appliqué requires more control than I can produce or the results look sloppy – and I worry about what happens when you wash the fusible projects.
If I piece a “decorator” throw pillow as a gift I can get it done in a weekend. If I appliquè one I have to start at least three months in advance. Which is why I prefer piecing as a rule. But for a special heirloom quilt, hand appliqué is wonderful!

September 2, 2008 at 12:53 am
(10) Sharron says:

I like to create my own themes therefore I love to applique. I now have serious carpel tunnel and would really like to see if I can machine applique that looks like hand applique. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Love your site.

September 11, 2008 at 10:21 am
(11) Sandie says:

I know I’m late getting my comment in here…I’d like to be able to fit applique in my busy life, which means something that is portable. I’d like to learn to get my stitches more invisible, too.

June 16, 2010 at 11:04 am
(12) Karen says:

I’ve tried many methods but my favorite is back basting. Everything lines up perfectly.

June 16, 2010 at 1:10 pm
(13) Beverly says:

I love the Pitcher’s for Tildy’s cabin but need to make a king size quilt can you tell me how to figure that out?

July 1, 2010 at 12:27 pm
(14) Janet Wickell says:

Hi, I have not written the pattern for another size. You can use the same blocks, but just make more of them. Course, the alternative is to use larger blocks — probably a better solution for a king quilt, but right now those templates are not available.

August 30, 2010 at 5:48 am
(15) Heather says:

I prefer hand applique but if I am in a hurry I machine applique using blanket stitch. but hand applique looks nicer.

April 29, 2011 at 4:00 pm
(16) Fran says:

I’d like to see something on Back Basting applique

September 26, 2011 at 1:53 pm
(17) MAETTA says:

I LIKE TO HAND APPLIQUE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL WAYS, BUT I LIKE THE TURN UNDER WAY THE BEST.

May 23, 2012 at 8:16 pm
(18) Jo-Anne D says:

I’m a new quilter so don’t have much experience with applique but I love the look of it and the fusible methods are easy for me. I’m like a kid in a candy store at 63 and I can’t learn fast enough!

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