Do you applique?

Evergreen Bias

I saw two surveys a while back that said only between 10% and 30% of quilters do applique.  I was surprised the numbers were so low.  I LOVE applique.  I enjoy piecing too, but applique gives you complete design freedom. 

Now, I understand that many people are not fond of needle-turn applique (which I also personally love).  But with all the wonderful fusible products around these days, fusible machine applique is a snap!

So, I’m really curious – do you do applique at all?  Hand, machine?  If you don’t applique, what is stopping you?  Too many methods?  Too many products?  You don’t like the patterns available?  I’d love to know.  I’ll do a post next week on one of my favorite applique methods. 

10 Comments
  • Liz in Ypsilanti
    Posted at 20:00h, 10 November Reply

    I like to applique. I really have to be in a particular head space to do needleturn applique, which is why I usually fuse or turn under and topstitch.

  • carol
    Posted at 12:56h, 09 November Reply

    I love to applique! In fact the majority of my work is applique. That could be because I love to draw, and love to make smaller projects, so both fit in that range. I should have stock in fusible web products, I use so much of it. LOL

  • Martys Fiber Musings
    Posted at 14:35h, 08 November Reply

    Oh, my….do I love to applique. I've made several large quilts that are (almost) totally hand applique. My art quilts are profusely infused with raw-edge applique. And, yes, I use even more stitches on my sewing machine to applique. As always, there is never enough time to do it all. Glad you asked!

  • Digs
    Posted at 22:33h, 07 November Reply

    I love applique! Fusible web (with zigzag stitch or raw edge or whatever!) is one of my only product addictions… and it was one of the reasons I got back into quilting. Though I have noticed lately that I'm starting to feel a bit guilty about using it instead of piecing – I don't know when those feelings started but I'm going to do my best to ignore them.

  • Lynn
    Posted at 23:46h, 05 November Reply

    I LOVE needle turn applique. It is a great portable project once it is basted. I have a real weakness for hand applique. I am not a fan of machine applique. That seems to tedious for my taste. I'll bring my favorite applique quilt to the next Brighton guild.

  • Sara
    Posted at 20:04h, 04 November Reply

    I don't like HAND work, except when I go to a Bee meeting. Applique just seems too ditzy, and flowery to me. I have done a few projects that use fusible and then "invisible" machine stitching.

  • The Calico Cat
    Posted at 19:29h, 04 November Reply

    I like it, I just don't get roundtuit.

    My poor cat applique project flew to Australia, Israel & sailed around the Carribean – & it is still not done.

  • Quiltjane
    Posted at 18:59h, 04 November Reply

    I love to applique. Hand turned gives a more professional finish while I do fusible for quick childrens and less formal quilts. I have recently made patterns for 2 eight pointed stars with all pieces appliqued. http://www.quiltjane.blogspot.com I have also completed a design from Chasing Cottons where appliqued the semi circles instead of curved piecing. I use the Heat n Bond Lite / Light weight fusible interface (1 sided for my circles) and the wash away type as well. I use a small machine blanket stitch with a 50 / 60 wt thread.

  • Ethne
    Posted at 18:51h, 04 November Reply

    I do quite a bit of fusible applique and some needle turn – I've a winter project on hand which is needle turn, I'm calling it Retro Sqaures, but I'm also looking for something different, modern and contemporary for an ongoing applique project – I'm having trouble though finding something I really really like – I'm not fond of the flowery baltimore style or the patterns being used on the Glorious Applique site – hopefully I'll find the right inspiration somewhere

  • modernquiltlove
    Posted at 18:44h, 04 November Reply

    Very rarely have I ever appliqued and it was with a ziz zig stitch on the machine. I think I'm mostly turned off by all the cutting and handwork involved. I'm sure I could learn to do it but there are so many things I would rather learn and try. That said I think appliqued quilts are beautiful just not my thing.

Leave a Reply to Ethne Cancel reply