Applique Fun!

Fusible shape on wrong side of fabric

I really love fusible applique.  I always loved applique but I just couldn't work up the enthusiasm to tackle the needle turn technique (or any other hand method for that matter).  When I bought my Bernina back in the mid 90's, the blanket stitch located in one of the decorative stitch menus became my absolute fave and I've never looked back.  I did have my share of difficulties and tried other quilters' suggestions on which stabilizers and fusible products I should use.  My aha! moment came back in 2007 when Sue Nickels came to our guild to present a workshop on this technique .  It was absolutely fantastic and now I'm eagerly anticipating her return in 2012.

Blanket stitching around my applique

I use Lite Steam a Seam II which has two pieces of paper with the fusible attached to one of those sheets.  I trace my design on the paper side that has the fusible on the other.  I trim about 1/4" away from the pencil line, place on wrong side of my fabric, press with iron (follow directions on fusible package) and cut out on pencil line.  I prep my background fabric with one or two applications of spray starch giving it the consistency of a piece of copy paper.  I then peel the fusible away from my shape and place it on the background fabric.  The fusible is sticky and can be moved as long as it hasn't been fused with the iron.  Now the real fun begins---stitching!!

Sue and Pat's fabulous book

Note:  If you're not fortunate enough to be able to take a workshop with Ms. Nickels, she and her sister, Pat Holly, have written a book called Stitch Raw Edge Applique.  It is published and available through AQS and will give you all the directions, hints and tips to speed you on your way to absolutely fantastic raw edge applique!  She also has a website which I know you'll want to check out. 

More to come!!