19 April 2012

Questions?

Have you ever appliqued or embroidered something AFTER the quilting? How did it turn out? Did you like it? I have an idea floating around in the ole brain but it's iffy.

8 comments:

  1. Yes. I didn't like the project at all so I had nothing to lose by appliqueing over the already quilted piece. Now I love it.

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  2. I just now came from Sue Brown's blog "From the Magpie's Nest as she didn't like her flimsy stage and is embroidery..both by machine and by hand. Now, personally, I have been unhappy with a completely finished quilt and appliqued great big flowers all over one, leaves all over another, and hearts all over a third. Embroidery would have taken me the better part of the rest of my life ;)

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  3. On my first applique project, I followed the directions exactly, and appliqued first. Then there was a grid quilting. It was very irritating to have all those starts and stops around the applique, when I could have just quilted first. On the other hand, if you want quilting that follows the applique, it makes sense to applique first.

    I think it is just a matter of personal preference. The end results will look different (the applique probably won't stand out as much over the top, depending on the quilting), but either way will work. I don't do a lot of applique, and don't think I've actually done it this way, but I definitely would choose this option. The only issue I forsee is being able to keep the applique stitches hidden, especially close to the quilting stitching lines. For hand applique, it might be a little more difficult to make sure you don't go through all the layers.

    A third option is to use fusible applique, and use the stitching as both applique and quilting. That works just fine.

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  4. Yes, I have appliqued this way on several projects and love the results. I piece, quilt, bind and wash the quilt then go back and stitch the applique (without stitching through to the back) I would not try this on a quilt that it much bigger than a wall hanging - remember you have to be able to handle a LOT of extra fabric to get to your applique pieces. Though I have wondered it when working on a large quilt, if I put it on a frame it would be easier to reach those applique pieces.
    Try it - you'll like it!

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  5. I've done both and love the results. You will be dealing with extra bulk, but it is manageable.

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  6. I am doing applique on a quilt now that I have already quilting and find it very awkward due to the bulk of the quilt. I won't be doing this again, although it was much easier to quilt not having to work around the applique.

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  7. See how this has appliques? http://flic.kr/p/r3RMy
    I did this one the old fashioned way...
    My GF did the same pattern but she did it after ragging. I did not care for the machine button hole stars on the back...

    Maybe if they blended more...

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  8. I've appliqued a shape on to cover a hole. Worked fine!

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