Quilt in a Day Forums

I am doing some applique of letters on my sewing machine. This is the first time I am doing any kind of applique and the problem I am having is when I machine sew around the letters with the fusible web it is not going as smooth as I thought it would. Am I supposed to drop the feed dogs so the fabric and web move more freely or leave them up? Any info is appreciated. Thank you, Erica

Erica,
I just appliqued stars on a quilt. I read a tip to use tear away stabilizer. I used a buttonhole or blanket stitch and it worked great. It lays flat. Oh, I used Steam a Seam2 fusible web.
What stitch are you using?
Lyn

Right now I am just stitching the fusible web onto the fabric so I am stitching aroung the outline of the letters. It is hard to maneuver around the outline seems like the fabric doesn't move as smooth as piecing that is why I was wondering if you drop the feed dogs. I am not sure which stitch I will use when I stitch the lettering onto the border. Thank you for the info I will play with the stitches that you mentioned. Take care, Erica

I always use "Wonder Under" (the kind with the paper back)for all my applique and use a blanket stitch on my machine.I do not drop the dogs but I ease the pressure on the foot by about half.If you can drop the dogs you can free motion too.If you do not have a blanket stitch on your machine choose one that you like.I think they work better if the stitches are spaced out some and not a close satin stitch.seems to work better for me that way. good luck

I always use "Wonder Under" (the kind with the paper back)for all my applique and use a blanket stitch on my machine.I do not drop the dogs but I ease the pressure on the foot by about half.If you can drop the dogs you can free motion too.If you do not have a blanket stitch on your machine choose one that you like.I think they work better if the stitches are spaced out some and not a close satin stitch.seems to work better for me that way.Try your stitches and droping the dogs on a scrap until you find one you like. good luck

When I machine applique, I use a coffee filter for a stablizer. It tears away better than a lot of other things I've tried.

I use a iron on fusible web and just use it on the very edge of the applique. Then I use the blanket stitch. Are you using an iron on fusible web. If your trying to sew it on, it could be getting caught in your feed dogs. Use iron on and then sew them on using your favorite stitch. Mine is the blanket stitch.

SharonG - I use coffee filters, too. They sure are less expensive, aren't they?

In a pinch I have used copy paper(old time- typing paper)as a stablizer - it perforates and then can be torn away. My favorite fusible is steam a seam lite - doesn't gummy up needles

Jana

Thank you all for the info I will try them and see which works best for me. Take care, Erica