As an aside, I decided to do a diary this Sunday as it would be right after I retired on Friday. I had not taken into account how hectic my last week would be, or how many last minute details I would have to do as I moved into retirement. While I am officially retired, I could not get everything done on Friday. It isn't too big a deal as they are having the party next Friday and I'll just come in a few hours early and finish up.
On to quilting, which is a very pertinent topic as the temperatures plummet here in the Midwest. Where we are, about 60 miles west of Chicago, tonight it's going to be -18 before wind chill and they are forecasting heavy winds, so estimating the wind chill temps as -40 to -50. Been a long time since it has been that cold around Chicago.
For the quilting topic this evening, yes, I have finally gotten around to that, I'm going to discuss three different methods of finishing raw edge applique. Follow me below the orange squiggle for more.
I haven't been quilting for long, about 2 - 3 years, but whenever I thought of applique, it was always with a turned edge. Below is a quilt square I started for my eldest sister when she was ill. She died before I could get it finished and I haven't had the heart to finish it -- I had just started one wing of a butterfly.
I've taken a couple of classes on needle turn applique and one class on using freezer paper. I like both methods. I'm guessing because they appeal to my needlework background. Regardless of what method used for folding under the edge of an applique, I found that using very fine thread and a very, very small needle gives the best result along with using a hoop.
Raw edge applique is something quite new to me. Over the last couple of weeks, I've worked with 3 different methods of working the raw edge. I thought I'd share my experiences and what worked better and what didn't.
First technique: invisible mono filament thread
This is an interesting technique. You just sew around the raw edges with a small zig zag stitch. The result is shown below. This was on my many, many half square triangles quilt.
This is an extreme close-up.
This is what it looks like from a more normal distance. I've only done the raw edges on the one flower where I've started to do some outline applique.
One point here, and it becomes more pertinent later. It is recommended that you use a size 75 needle with cotton thread in the bobbin when doing monofilament edge stitching, which is what I use here.
Second technique: machine blanket stitch
I decided I wanted this on the stems and leaves of the plant on the pillow top I'm doing for a niece to give a more textural effect.
Again this is a bit of an extreme close-up.
One problem, although it doesn't show too much, I forgot to change needles. I should have been using a size 90 topstitch needle. The size 75 punches a little bigger hole in the fabric.
Third Technique: Applique Stitch
This is kind of a misnomer as all of the above stitches can and are used for applique. However the stitch listed in my Babylock instruction book as an applique stitch, along with blanket stitch, is one that is mostly straight line with every 5th stitch a short hop the the left, catching the fabric beneath the applique.
Here I remembered to change to the #90 top stitch needle, specifically I used a Superior Titanium Coated topstitch needle. They cost a bit more but I do like them.
I have just gone around the edge of the blue flower; I haven't done the gold center yet. In part because I am torn between doing it with this method of topstitch using a gold silk thread, or using 1 strand of gold embroidery floss and doing a backstitch outline.
My key take-aways using these three methods: 1) Always use the right needle; 2) be sure your bobbin thread matches, or at least is not white, if you are top stitching on a dark color. In general, for raw edge applique, I like the monofilament thread and the "official" applique stitch best. The blanket stitch I will continue for the leaves and stems, but it is almost too "strong" or intrusive for applique of this style.
So, how is your quilting coming?