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Posted by 5 foot 2 on November 19, 2006, 9:53 pm
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>I have just assembled all of the pieces for my tumbling block quilt
>(48x60 wallhanging actually). The disign has three large blocks, two
>medium sized blocks, and about 30 very small blocks. I would like to
>applique these by machine but since this is my very first quilt
>project, I have lots of doubts and questions.
>I have read Harriet Hargrave's book on machine applique and several
>others but I have not found instructions on how to applique completed
>"blocks" (pieced squares, diamonds or other shapes to the base fabric.
>All of my completed tumbling blocks have little fabric tags at exposed
>seam ends. Should these be cut off?
Yes, you can place a straight edge ruler along the raw edge and run your rotery
cutter along this
line. That will cut off all those little ears from the seam ends.
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>I read about turning the outside seam allowances under freezer paper or
>other stabalizer. When I tested this out with one of my blocks, there
>seems to be too much fabric bulk where seams touch the outside edge.
>What do I need to do in order to turn my edges under without getting
>this fabric lump at all the seam jointed edges?
You can try pressing the seams open instead of to one side. That will reduce
the bulk, but you
won't be able to eliminate it completely.
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>Can I just use a rotary cutter to trim away my exposed seam allowances
>(1/4") and then applique my raw edged blocks to the base fabric?
Yes. This method is called "raw edge" applique. You can then satin stitch
around the edge to hide
the raw edge. Be sure to use a stabilizer under the stitching area. This can
be removed once the
satin stitches are done. If you do not stabilize properly, you will end up with
a wavy edge so do a
test piece first. You may need 2 layers of stabilizer. Here is a link
demonstrating this
technique.
http://laquiltworks.bizland.com/my_tips.htm
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>All help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. This is my first
>quilt project, it looks great on the design wall, and I sure do not
>want to mess it up. I,m apprehensive to say the least.
>Jerry in North Alabama
Here is a nice link to see some applique techniques.
http://www.quiltmaker.com/tips/tip14/
5 foot 2
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>(48x60 wallhanging actually). The disign has three large blocks, two
>medium sized blocks, and about 30 very small blocks. I would like to
>applique these by machine but since this is my very first quilt
>project, I have lots of doubts and questions.
>I have read Harriet Hargrave's book on machine applique and several
>others but I have not found instructions on how to applique completed
>"blocks" (pieced squares, diamonds or other shapes to the base fabric.
>All of my completed tumbling blocks have little fabric tags at exposed
>seam ends. Should these be cut off?