Hey Everybody! I started working on a relatively simply applique peice yesterday, and I'm having some problems. I've actually the the step of fusing the fabric together down VERY pat (sort of a hybrid freezer paper/wunder-under style) but my problem is keeping the stitch lined up with the edge of the seam. I'm fine on straight edges, but on curves, I nearly always run off the seam, and it changes directions (sometimes onto the applique, sometimes onto the background!!!!). Does anybody have ANY ideas for keeping these lined up? All of the websites I've seen thus far about applique work has been about fusing the fabrics together and tucking the raw edges, and most of the simply state "then stitch the outside edge" and that's it!!!!! Thank in advance! SandalScout
Take it sloooooooow! It literally takes me hours to do some appliques, especially curvy ones. When you get to the curving spot stitch very slowly while gradually turning your fabric.
Are you sort of "straddling the edge"? When I stitch appliques, I keep the satin stitch on the applique fabric. I try not to go off that edge and onto the main fabric....if that makes any sense. Also what Cre said....Sloooooow!
Yeah, I guess I'm straddlin it, but then it slides off..... I must just be going too fast. I've got an idea for an applique that is almost entirely straight-sides, I'll practie on this first. I guess my biggest problem is that I'm not 100% sure where the fabric needs to line up and it's causing problems. Maybe I'll draw sights onto my presser foot!!! Daisymae, what exactly to you mean by satin stitch? Is this on the needle-turn applique peices? Thanks again!!!!!!
I mean a short zig-zag on a sewing machine, so you can't see through. Needle-turn appliques are done by hand, is that what you are doing?
OH!!!! Okay, no, sorry... Got ya! So, are you not supposed to straddle it then? I've made one side hit the applique and one side hit the background. I thought this was normal, as it hid the joining of the two fabrics. No?
I don't do that..I try to keep the joining of the two fabrics in the middle..that way there is no frayed edge.
I do the same, and it takes me hours as well, go super slow. I did one once that was a spiral sun, took me 9 hours, it takes time, but it's sooo worth it. this is a really close up pic of the sun aplique I mentioned, maybe it will help. As you can see, the stitching isn't perfect, but there ya go :0) hope this helps!
thanks! I still have to finish the skirt it was meant to go in, I sew sooooo slow, lol. SandalScout, post pics of your aplique when you finish, I'm dying to see it!
