Oh help!

[CaroleJ]

Hey, y'all...I am making a small quilt that has applique' pumpkins on top of a pieced background. Following the directions, like a good girl, I fused the pumpkins in place. Unfortunately, there is a significant amount of "strike through" on two of the pumpkins...meaning the background is showing right through the applique' pieces.

I know I don't have a snowball's chance of taking the pieces off now that they are fused...I thought I could just cut out 2 matching pieces (have plenty of extra fabric, thank goodness!) and fuse them right on top of the pieces that are already there, to eliminate the strike through.

Ideas? Sympathy? I am so bummed...was really looking forward to a quick finish and a fun project...<sniffle!> If I can fix this, though, it's going to be really cute!

Carole

[Cathy32078]

Is there any way to camouflage seeing through the appliqued pcs with some decorative stitching? Your idea of layering another pc on top might be a good idea. It will be really hard to needle through if that is the plan. But it may be the best thing to do. Would love to see a pic when you are finished. Love Halloween and Fall pcs.!!!!!

Cathy

[gmaann]

I think you MAY be able to get the pieces off if you iron them again and try to remove them while hot - BUT there would probably still be adhesive on the fabric so you would have to be really careful putting new ones on - and what would you do differently the second time to avoid the 'strike through'?

I know some people who use permanent magic markers to hide 'stike through', but be careful what kind you use. I am just now trying to de-odorize a quilt where a very strong aroma is still there after a black magic marker was used to hide variegated top stitches that have come through to the back on a quilt with a black backing. I'm supposed to be binding the quilt, but the smell is so strong it's giving me a headache!! Have tried Febreze and hanging it over the deck railing to air. Any other ideas, anyone?

[CaroleJ]

Cathy, if you like fall-themed pieces, this one is from The Quilter Magazine, November 2007 issue. It works up to be 14" x 28" and is so cute...first time I saw the picture, I couldn't resist making one!

I think I may spray-baste the second pieces to the top, rather than fusing...that should eliminate any unnecessary bulk and make the pumpkins easier to stitch into place.

Lesson learned: check weight and opacity of fabric on top of the background BEFORE making final decisions on an appliqued project!

Carole

[CaroleJ]

Ann, I think if this issue ever arises again, I will try to find another fabric that is more opaque. OR, I will plan on putting on double layers to hide the background colors. The frustrating thing is that the pattern does not offer any kind of warning about this; would be nice to know how the designer got around it.

So it's a goof, but not a complete disaster...yet! LOL! I don't know that I dare to try to get the fused pieces off, for fear of wrecking the rest of the project.

Carole

[carrieg]

Would you be able to quilt the pumpkins with stippling? That might at least distract from the strike-thru?

I don't know what else to suggest. I'm still new to quilting.

[xteacher]

I have removed some as mentioned before, iron it and while it is VERY warm pull it up. Heat the edge and pick at it with your fingernail or a pin or something until you can get a piece large enough to hold on to, then heat and as you move your iron, pull the piece up. It sounded as if you intend to machine applique the piece down, so you can attach the new piece to cover the sticky. You can also fuse an extra layer to the back of the new applique to hide the strike through. (For that matter, what you suggested would do the same thing. Just fuse another exact piece over it, then stitch. It seems like I am repairing more than I am accomplishing these days, so I devise ways to cover my mistakes.

[cindyg]

I saw F & P do this: when using the non-woven fusible interfacing method (like El's) you cut the slit, turn the applique right side out, use a wooden iron or finger press so that none of the interfacing is showing from the front. Then you cut away the interfacing leaving about 1/4" around the edges and fuse it into place. Stitch down your applique by hand or machine and then cut away the back fabric from under the applique so there is nothing to show thru. Hope this is helpful.

[grandmajuki]

I would use a steam to heat up the pumpkin not the iron...then try to get it off... Let us know what you end up doing and what success you had
judy

[gardenquilter]

my very first quilting instructor taught me the value of sharpies and other permanant ink pens - I keep them in all colors and when all else fail paint it - it becomes an art quilt then and is all the more valuable - sharpies are awesome for covering the strike through