mandysilk wrote:
Glad to be of help!

THANK YOU RITZY!! I am in the middle of a project with approx. 12 yards of winding bias stem in the border, I can't get the !@#$# fusable bias maker to work the way it should, and the prospect of trying to use bias bars on that much bias strip was daunting to say the least. I think your method will work PERFECT!!!

When I need to do really narrow stems, I cut 3/4" wide bias strips. I press them almost in half, but not quite. I lay the folded edge along the line I've drawn on the background with the slightly wider side up, making sure that I'm going to sew the inside edge of a curve first. Pin. I sew the folded edge first. Then I open the stem up and trim away some of the lower edge, fold under the top and sew it down.

I've also done it with less than 3/4" for even narrower stems!

NA in NY where it's raining today.

Maggie, you're a person after my own heart. Trust me, I was tempted to do the same thing!

However, I did purchase the bias bars Sue recommended . I used them yesterday with great results. The stems lay flat with no puckers and I'm a happy camper.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions. Sue is correct in that one has to discover what works best for them by tirial and error.

And now on to the next block................. In case you think I'm completing them in order, NOT!

Regarding the question about how to get stems to lay flat... I think everyone has offered some great suggestions -- now the trick is to try a couple methods and figure out which one works for YOU! I just love the Forum because it offers all of us the opportunity to be inspired -- and to learn from each other. Woo hoo for TQS and the Forum!

Sue Garman

linmcquilter wrote:
I did a satin stitch instead of appliquing for that piece. IMHO it looks great, even up close and personal!

Maggie in E. Central, enjoying my 4th day off in a row, with one more to go! Playing with my new Janome 11000SE!

Thanks for that tip, Ritzy - I think that's how I'll do those narrow little brown pieces on the September BOM! I've been wondering how I was going to tackle them...

If I want really narrow stems I cut a piece of fabric on the bias(for this example let's say 1" by the length that I would need); then I iron the piece in half it the right side out(so now I have a 1/2" strip); then, I mark the fabric that the stem will be put on(not always necessary); then I sew the strip on the markings (if I want smaller than 1/4", I sew closer to the fold. I trim off the excess and then press the edge with the fold over the seam. Stitch the fold down and I have a very narrow stem.

janie34997 wrote:
Thanks, Janie! In my album #5, I show how to use the Bias Tape Maker tool (by Clover). When the bias strip is pulled through the tool, both of the edges are rolled to meet in the middle of the strip and ironing them creases the fold, so that when the stems are turned over, the long edges are ready to applique, but there is not the bulk of the seam and 2 seam allowances that you have to deal with when you use the bias bars. (I show the bias bar technique in album #14)

Hope that helps! And I hope you try several techniques to see which ones you like the best!

Thanks so much for the tips. I will try them and see how it goes.

Margo, I viewed your site and was very impressed. However I'm not clear how there is no seam in your example. Am I missing something? Your work is stunning.

Janie, I also show a way to make the stems without the seam down the back in album #5 of my webshots tutorial.

http://community.webshots.com/user/TennGram?vhost=community

You also can try this: Lay your pattern on a firm ironing surface and lay a piece of vinyl template plastic over the pattern. Spray the prepared stem with starch (I mix my own Sta-Flo, 1/2 & 1/2 with water) then pin the stem in place through the plastic (straight down into the ironing surface) to match the pattern below. When it dries (I would leave it overnight) it will be the right shape and be ready to stitch to your block. Wetting the stem with the starch will make it very soft and pliable so you can make smoother curves.

I hope you can post your blocks for us to see them!

Janie, I believe it is in February's pattern that Sue gives her instructions for making bias tubes that are used for the stems. She also showed the technique when she was on the show (Season 3, episode 4 I believe). I use it for machine applique, and those vines behave nicely for me!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

Hi Janie, when you sew the bias stems down, sew the inside curve of the stem down first. Then the stem will lay flat for you to sew the outside of the curve. It works really well and your stems will lay flat.

Cher in BC

have you watched Suzanne Marshall's interview with Ricky? She shows how she does her vines..............great method.

I think it was in season II.

How wide are your vines stems?