yankiequilter Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I am making my first ever applique quilt and am using a fusible and buttonhole/blanket stitch around the applique. One friend doesn't use any stabilizer and one uses coffee filters. When I tried it without stabilizer the block appears a little puckered, and when I tried a coffee filter I found that it was hard to tear out. My sister uses a water soluble stabilizer, but that requires spritzing or soaking to get all of it out of the blocks. I tried using spray starch on the back of the block after fusing but the starch seemed to melt the fusible. The thing that worked best was Golden Threads paper but I didn't like tearing the tiny bits of paper out of the stitching. I am looking for a better way and am wondering how others stabilize for machine applique. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Carmen, I found a self-adhesive tear-away stabilizer made by Sulky at Joann's that worked great on my Hooterville quilt using a heavy satin stitch applique. It's a little pricey but with a 50% off coupon it was worth it to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 Carmen, forget my post! I see you said buttonhole/blanket stitch. My brain saw "satin stitch." Getting old is harder some days than others Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted August 13, 2012 Report Share Posted August 13, 2012 I use Sharon Schamber's method, which involves using her appliqué foundation paper. You leave it in. When you wash it, it becomes just slightly poofy, so your appliqué has a very slight trapunto effect. Nothing like being able to leave it there! As a matter of fact, I'm teaching a class on this on Saturday, if you want to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonbon Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I use fusible steam a seam 2. Very light and no removal of paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustee Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I also use Lite Steam a Seam 2 and have had no problems with puckering. I don't have to use an additional foundation paper. I love applique and I do a lot of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I use a light weight tear away that tears easily and very cleanly. Some of the stabilizers leave a somewhat torn edge while others leave a very clean edge. I think the last roll I bought was Babylock. When tearing, I put my fingernail along the stitching so while tearing, I don't pull on the stitches. If there are very tiny bits left due to blanket stitching - I don't worry - leave them there. They seem to go away with washing. When doing blanket stitch, I always tear the outside stabilizer off first - releases the stabilizer better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zora Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 I have never used stabilizer when doing a buttonhole/blanket stitch by machine. I use Steam a Seam 2. If you are getting puckering, maybe your machine tension is too tight. Even if you have a machine that automatically adjusts tension for you, it is sometimes necessary to manually adjust for some applications. Another cause of puckering could be wrestling with the fabric a bit too much. It takes some practice to lightly guide the fabric. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabric007 Posted August 15, 2012 Report Share Posted August 15, 2012 so when you iron the piece on...you dont turn the edges under??? Just use the button stitch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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