NanaPie wrote: Great idea!

Andrée

I have a little fondue/appetzer fork that I use for the "fork" part, and Alex's tool for the stiletto part.

I use two of Alex's 4 in 1 tools. I like them because they are bulkier and I can hold them longer before my hands start to bother me. I made a video of me showing how I do it a few weeks back and posted it on my Facebook page. I've made the video public in hopes that even if you are not on Facebook, you will be able to see it if you click on the link below.

I've never tried this before so I don't know if it will work or not. I tried to post the video directly on here, but it didn't appear to work....although it is probably too large of a file. The video was posted on May 17.

http://tinyurl.com/prvcdnf

This is all great info.... but isn't it a bit expensive, 50$ for 2 sticks (they look like knitting needles)... just saying...

Andrée

I received an email yesterday from Carly Mul at http://www.webfabrics.net that they are now carrying Apliquick products which includes similar sticks used in Carolyn's show.

Sorry...I am not familiar with the mat. I did see the tools demonstrated in Paducah but havn't tried them.

I use a sheet of glossy white cardstock when I glue down the edges of my fabric with the apliquick sticks. I find that the fabric turns easily on the hard shiny suface. I have the black mat which I use for tracing around templates (for hand piecing) which does a good job in making sure the fabric does not stretch much like a sandboard but I did not like it for use with the apliquick sticks as it was too padded.
The black mats available in the Australian patchwork shops are Matilda's Own or a Japanese brand which I own. It has Kawaguchi in the corner in very small writing I think it's a g not a c. The Japanese one may be different to the Australian made one. I don't know which one Lynette uses.
When using the wash away foundation I have used two layers without any problem. I am now doing a design with three overlapping shapes and I am cutting away the overlap.

Karryl

About "mountain" building....I've done 3-4 layers...but I generally trim out under them as I go....

Thanks, Sue...those were great ! That mat is interesting !

With the starch method (if it's what I've tried) you must iron the starched fabric edges over your template. This dries the starch and holds the edge in place. The problems I've had with starch are that it's easy to press unwanted pleats into your curves, and it's difficult to press tiny pieces, even if you use a little Clover iron.

Glue sticks are tacky enough to hold the fabric edges in place without ironing. And the beauty of the wash-away stabilizers is that you can glue directly to your template and not need to remove the template later.

I've made small (about 3/8") circles using the stabilizer/glue stick and a stiletto for turning the edges -- it works great! No experience with Lynette's sticks, but it might be helpful to have the second, forked stick to hold little pieces.

I don't know why Lynette switches to basting glue to hold the prepared appliques to the fabric -- I just use a little dab from the glue stick. It all washes out later -- after sewing, I soak my block in warm water for a couple hours (as recommended by Sharon Schamber) to dissolve the glue. Rinse, air dry, and press face down on a towel.

Be sure you use a WASHABLE, not a permanent, glue stick. And, BTW, you can use Elmer's Washable School Glue in place of expensive basting glue...

Looks like you could use a computer mouse pad or something similar as a rubber mat. I'm not sure about the mountain-building...someone should do an experiment!

What a great review, Karryl.

I have to say, after 2013 BOM and some other projects, I'm inclined to learn a new applique technique other than raw-edge fused.

I found this on Youtube, in Spanish, but it doesn't matter. It's a great demonstration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02n3IZ5uu4I

Another by Lynette Anderson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O9BbdDf4Jc

I'm curious about the rubber mat that Lynette uses. What is an alternative?

Does starch work the same as the glue stick that both demonstrators use? Are you following this, Margo????

Another question I have for appliquers is, how many layers do you get with turned edge before a design with many shapes starts to look like a mountain?

One of my quilting friends went to a workshop of Carolyn's and learnt the method using these sticks. She showed us all when she returned. It was much like Beth Farriers method that uses cuticle sticks. I didn't want to pay out the $40 for the apliquick tools but when using my friends tools and then a wooden cuticle stick there was no comparison. I bought the apliquick tools and have been glue basting with them since. They make it so easy to turn the small pieces as you glue and I am now able to glue baste small circles so quickly much faster than using my Karen Kay Buckley perfect circles to make small circles.
Though given the cost I would only recomend them if you do a lot of applique and like to glue/starch mid to small sized pieces. They have made me fall in love with 'needle turn applique' all over again.
I have been using the wash away applique paper as a backing to glue the fabric to and it turns on the edge beautifully.
I take a little more time to turn the edges than Carolyn did and find I get a very smooth edge and do not need to lick the fabric.

Karryl

Rosemary, thank you for explaining the use of them so clearly. I was very tired yesterday and gave up trying to explain. The quality is superb, but I have been doing a lot of other things, so I have not worked much with them yet. Will get to it some day

They do sound really nice. My only worry about me personally using them is that I think I would have a difficult time holding them because of my arthritis in my hands. My stupid fingers lock up in me when I am hand sewing for any length of time. I might be able to cover them with something springy that would help me with holding onto them.

Back to working on my Christmas quilt.