AboutConnie Hester Expertise Quilting and applique expert.Can advise on the following topics:quilting, art quilts, quilt design and construction, machine and hand quilting, paper foundation piecing, machine piecing, hand piecing, raw edge applique, turned-edge applique and fiber art.
Experience Winning awards in international fiber and art competitions since 1983; http://www.conniehester.com/
BS,MS
See my work and books at http://www.conniehester.com/
Expert: Connie Hester Date: 4/12/2008 Subject: raw edge applique
Question I need to know how to finish the raw edge applique so as not to fray and will I sew edges before adding the batting and backing. Should I use a stablizer behind the applique when sewing the edges. Thank you. Please reply soon for this a gift to given in a few days.
Answer Yes, raw-edge applique is usually done prior to layering the top with
batting and backing. There are many techniques for raw-edge applique. You can do a multi-stitch free-motion zig-zaggy motion over the edges with a darning foot, a satin-stitch, or a straight stitch 1/8-1/4" inside the raw edge. I usually use invisible thread in the needle and the bobbin and do a free-motion multi-stitched sort of buttonhole stitch. (Test your machine for cooperation in this. You may need to adjust your bobbin tension screw to get even stitches on the top and the back sides when using invisible thread, size .004 mm. Also, make sure the invisible thread doesn't stretch as it is wound onto the bobbin. Hand-winding is always a guaranteed method to prevent that stretching.) Sometimes I use coordinating threads instead of invisible thread for a different effect. I used to do a multi-stitch zig-zaggy motion over the edges, moving inside the applique piece and then moving out beyond the raw edge, maintaining an overall random length to the zigzags. I maintain a random buttonhole stitch length and distance-between-stitches as well. No matter how consistent we are, it only takes a few occasional stitches which are NOT consistent to stand out like a sore thumb! *I* actually prefer the random look to the stitches. They don't draw attention that way.
I use coffee filters as a stabilizer behind the applique while stitching, then tear it away before layering the quilt top with batting and backing.
