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: 11/7/2005 Subject: raw edge applique
Question I usually applique using the freezer paper method and I always do this by hand. I have a project I would like to get done quickly and was wondering about raw edge applique. My project is numerous tree trunks. Would fusing and then stitching on the machine inside the edge to allow some fraying be a possibility?
Answer Hi, Pam,
Yes, fusing is one method of raw edge applique, and stitching just inside the raw edge with a straight stitch is one method of sewing the pieces down. However, fusing the edges will prevent a soft frayed edge. If you don't really care about getting a frayed edge, then this would indeed be a quick method. Overall, good coverage of quilting lines could even double as the stitching that holds the pieces down.
If you want gently frayed edges, I would suggest using a water-soluble gluestick along the edges of your pieces, to hold them down, stabilize them, and prevent the edges from fraying during the process of sewing a straight stitch inside the raw edges. Then, when the quilt is washed, removing the gluestick from the edges, they will softly fray (and *might* need a bit of trimming after that first washing). This is the method I use most often.
