I have just posted photos of Sharon Schamber's method of invisible machine appliqué on my blog. The photos show before and after soaking the blocks in HOT water and Synthropol, rinsed in cool water x3 and then air dried and pressed. The tiny zig-zag really does close up and the appliqué is very soft and supple. It's a labor a love to do her method but the results are wonderful!
Blessings,
Debbie Ü

Lorchen, before I started my 2008 BOM, I did a little test!!

Prewash applique fabrics.
Did not wash background fabrics.
Machine appliqued Schamber's method.
Then washed everything together when finished with the sample.

I LOVED IT!! I was the look I was looking for!! The applique part looked beautiful and the stitches could hardly be seen. I really liked it, but of course I was looking for that old, worn, puckery look!!

I would be careful doing that tho. Be sure that the border fabric isn't washed either, otherwise you'll have the background of your appliqued blocks shrinking and pulling in which will cause the already shrunk borders to wave. I learned this sadly by accident!

Nancy in snowy western ny where it's only 11 today and colder expected tomorrow! BRRRR

No extra time here. Someone else will have to volunteer. I'll bring it up at our next Applique Society! ha

Judymc wrote:
I believe it would work. The idea is that the appliqued fabric has already be shrunk, when the background fabric shrinks, it pulls the edges of the applique down, therefore, hidding the stitches.

Interesting. So, does anybody have the time to do two samples - one 'a la Schamber', one with unwashed fabrics, and one with washed fabrics. Take pictures. Then wash all three and take pictures again. Then compare............

Lorchen (unfortunately in a fulltime job )

Hmmm... interesting concept Judy. I might have to try that...

Something I read in an American Quilter Magazine--Sharon Schamber said in an article that she prewashes her applique fabrics but leaves the background fabric unwashed. She says that when the quilt is finished and washed that the background shrinks just enough to cause the applique stitches to be hidden. I believe she machine appliques, so I wonder if this would work for hand applique, too? Anyone know?

For Flying Geese I use ELEANOR BURNS' method. It works great. They come out perfect everytime. She has shown it several times on her shows and has a couple of books out explaining how to do it. I am making my DD a tree skirt for next Christmas.... that is if I ever get my sewing area back.

alibeoley wrote:
Yes, all your geese look great in that quilt!! Today's geese have gone better. I'm going slow, trimming if I need to, and being very careful. I tend to be fast!

Joyce

I made a quilt with lots of flying geese and the geese blocks looked really rough when I had them in strips, but they all went together without the loss of too many points. There's a photo in my profile (purple stars, right hand end of the top row) if you want proof . So the message is, don't despair yet

tkwritr wrote:
I have the SnS ruler and have done that method. I would have to look it up but the LQS gave us nearly precut pieces so not sure I could use the method on this. Such as, if I need to cut a 3" square and then in half for 2 triangles, they provided a 4" square to use. Does this make sense?

Thanks for the SnS suggestion tho! I'm getting grumpy about flying geese and will work at remember this alternate method for the next time.

Thanks!
Joyce

She-quilts, you just need to invest in a "Square in a Square" tool and instruction booklet. You can produce a gazillion flying geese in a short while and they're perfect. The "ruler" lets you focus on the 90 degree angle and just trim the edges. Perfect 1/4 inches and perfect geese units. The "ruler" also is used for, obviously, square in a square blocks, and a few others that are described in the booklet. See the tool at http://www.squareinasquare.com.

What is new at my house is that I've been working on the BOM from 2008 that my LQS did. I have all 12 blocks done and am working on the center medallion. What I've learned is that I must be lousy at flying geese units. There are a zillion in this and they come out off everytime for me.

Can you pick up a quilt magazine on your next run so you have something to occupy your quiltless fingers? I love magazines for when I'm too tired to venture to my sewing room.

Joyce