Jan, here are a few photos of how I do it. I have deliberately used contrasting thread so that you can see it more clearly. You have to cut your fabric on the bias at 3/8". Then you use a running stitch to attach it. Cutting it on the bias means that you can manipulate it any way you want to. The fabric you use would also have a bearing on this. I usually use batiks for needle turn as it is easier to manipulate without getting any stray threads.


Next you finger press the fabric over the stitched line. And then using your needle and thumb you fold the fabric under towards the inside and stitch down with small stitches. Try to catch the underside of the bias strip when you come back up through the background fabric and then your stitches will barely show.


When you have finished you can press it with an iron, but this is what it looks like without pressing. It measures 1/8".
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You could make the strips narrower by using 1/4" bias strips. Hope that helps. And have a good day at the show.

I have a quilt show to attend today. Did that put a happy smile on me?? Last week I could have gone to one but I kept myself from going for various virtuous reasons. We are lucky around here to have a lot of shows. I'd better do some good things around the house though. And keep up with what needs to be done. The gym gets a pass I think.

Wow, that is a lot of information and should help a lot. I never thought of using a double needle.
I took a class by Harriet Hargrave who liked monofilament better than Superior's Monopoly for some reason. I think the polyester may not iron well. One of them dissolves I think. Any way I have both. Is a smoke color what you used? Thank you so much, Terry.
Rita, that may be what I do is sew it all down by hand. My machine can be a pain because it is an embroidery machine. I ironically don't care to do embroidery. THe saleslady said the machine would quilt. But in classes people comment about it being unsuitable.
The stitch I learned to use on my machine for applique is a stretch zigzag. The buttonhole stitch on my machine doesn't have the settings for smaller stitches as I recall. \
Suzanne Marshall in her episode here uses a piece of cloth cut on the bias from a square. Then she irons it with one fold at 1/4" along the bias cut. THen she irons it again with another fold to make it the size she wants. She sews a running stitch along it to baste it and cuts the excess off the back and voila there's your bias, made without any hassle because the extra cloth stabilizes it while you make it. The only thing is I'd have to iron it at 1/8" to start with. Rita do you use bias bars or anything like that? Or is it not that bad to iron it into a strip anyway? If you use bias bars I think you sew it along one side, cut off the excess and turn it so the seam is not showing.
I had trouble with Suzanne's method, I accidentally cut the strip when I was cutting off excess.
I would love to find a domestic machine that could do a nice quilting stitch and do applique and was not too expensive. A long harp would be nice too. I'd love to have a Bernina. In that class Harriet H suggested trying to find an old Bernina mechanical machine that someone was getting rid of. Only troulble is nobody wants to part with them. And they are not inexpensive either. They keep their worth or maybe increase in worth over time.

Renata, the first photo I posted was of just the top. So I hadn't quilted it at that time.

Jan, when I attached the bias tape, I used a double needle which sewed both sides at the same time. Double needles come in different widths so you need to take your bias tape with you to see which size is going to be best for you. I actually purchased the one I thought was the right size and then one that was one size smaller so I'd be covered if the larger one was actually was too big! If I'm appliqueing with monofilament thread--YLI is okay; but Maderia's monofilament or Superior's extra fine monofilament thread is better.The last two threads are finer than YLI so it camouflages better.

I set my tension to 0 and I use a size 70 needle. . .or the smallest needle that will stitch without the thread breaking. I use a zigzag that is about .5 wide by 1 long which is a tiny stitch. I often use sew bob http://www.sewfancy.com/threads-bobbin.htm in the bobbin. I also have used Aurafil or the old Masterpiece which are 50wt 2 ply threads; but bottom line would work too.

As for the thread twisting off the spool, try using a thread sock http://not-just-threads.com/item_100/ThreadSocks.htm Superior Threads has some Handy Nets for use on larger cones. Also, I will use a thread stand to make sure the thread is coming off the top of the spool.

I hope all the information helps you!

This may not be what you are looking for Jan but if you cut 3/8" bias strips you could make a narrower binding with needle-turn applique. It actually sews up a lot quicker than you think and it will give you strips of about 1/8". and the stitching would be invisible particularly if you are using black thread on black fabric. Just a suggestion.

/thanks, Lois. I have a quilt show to attend and will look for Maderia thread. I haven't seen it lately at any quilt shops around me. I have bottom line but not in black I think. But I should check. Jan

drj2athome wrote:
All I remember is that I used Maderia monofilament. It's what I had and have never had trouble with it. I used Superior Bottom Line in the bobbin. I don't remember monkeying with the tension but I may have. It was nearly a year ago that I did that project.
Good luck.

Jan, if you go to the Forum under Board index ‹ HELP ME LEARN TO QUILT - QUESTIONS, TIPS & TUTORIALS ‹ Hand and Machine Applique and go to the thread "Thread for Applique" you will see that there was a pretty extensive discussion on the topic.

I use both YLI and Monopoly now and in both cases bring the tension down to zero for the top thread and use Superior Bottom Line in the bobbin. Because I have a Bernina 830, I thread the bobbin for embroidery, thereby tightening the bobbin tension. Depending on what machine you have, your bobbin case might have a little metal tail through which you pass the thread to add tension. Hope this helps!

thank you Lois. I give all credit to my daugter the artist and the Esterita Austin who taught me the technique. Do you have any tips on invisible machine applique? I am using the YLI (I think) not polyester but monofilment thread, but my machine seems to tangle the thread down below and it did break. Maybe the tension needs adjustment. I am using 50 weight cotton thread in the bottom. It worked in a class I took. The bias tape is thicker than regular applique I think though. Jan

Jan, That is a great job. I think your daughter should love, love, love it! I have used invisible machine applique and I love it.

Terry, Your quilt is another lovely one. Lois

Thank you Terry. I did have some of that fusible bias once in gold. Thanks for the link. I think that will work for most of the quilt. I just don't know if I'm going to need to make it smaller in some places.

Your quilt is amazing. I and my machine don't do that kind of detail yet. I think I may need a new machine someday to get there. I don't know where the bucks will come from though. They are not an inexpensive item.

I am working on my son's first bed quilt which has priority. Wouldn't you know my dog thinks the top in progress is for him to sit on. I thought cats were the ones that had to try out anything new. What's the consensus on animals and quilts? I bet you all have stories who have animals. Jan

Jan - Very nice job! Sorry, I don't have any bias suggestions since I haven't done much with them. But I'm sure you'll come up with something that works well!

Terry - I think I already told you how beautiful this quilt is, but I'm happy to reiterate! It deserves it!

Nancy

Sorry, Terry! I could not see the quilting in the picture and since selvages were still on, I thought that's where you were headed next. My bad! From the backside of the quilt it looks beautiful! I now remember when you showed the hand with the vein and the paisley in the sleeve... I guess that's what happens to memory when you're in quilt overload...

Renata, I start thinking about the quilting stage before I start cutting the fabric!! Isn't that crazy? It is quilted, here is a photo of the back:
One day soon, I'll take a photo of the whole front and post it.