If I order fabric in small cuts (1 yard or less), I never paid duty, even if I have 11 yards total! But when I order a single 2 yards cut, they catch up

Sometimes my packages are opened by customs here in Ireland and other times not. For some reasons they think that Hancocks of Paducah are sending me bags of drugs or something because their packages are always opened.

suehenyon wrote: I don't think they would confiscate it (Canada anyway), but the recipient would have to pay the duty. Here is a link for duty when traveling to Canada that might help:

http://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/bringing-to-canada

One of my friend is attending the show in Paducah, and I know that Spiral-Eye have a booth there, so i'm going to ask that she brings back a few. I'll let you know then.

Andrée

The great thing about sewing needles is that they are small, lightweight and very thin... Can therefore easily be placed inside an envelope with a regular card. Should not be a problem with customs, but do make sure you:
- Declare it with a customs declaration slip (ask at the post office what is required)
- declare the value as $10 or similar
- declare it as a personal gift/present. (Not merchandise - merchandise almost always requires customs to be paid, exemptions on presents are much higher)

Lots of stuff can be shipped in envelopes with a letter, but needles are metal and pointy and therefore will show up on any scans - that's why I would always declare them.

Susan: I received my spiral needle yesterday also, I am so pleased. I agree with you WOW. Margo and others who recommended them, thank you. I am actually going to recycle my other needles. This was money very well spent. Carol

I got to practice with the Spiral-eye needle last night. All I can say is WOW, worth every penny. The other brands will be re-purposed or re-cycled. I even put the one I was using on a separate pin-cushion so I don't lose it.

I was going through a couple of layers of fused fabric. It did help to find the last stitched hole to get it through the fabric.

Would customs really confiscate a gift to a person in another country? I don't know anything about customs duties. What would this involve?

Hi DHRQuilts! And welcome to the forum!
At minute 3:04 I talk about preparing the background fabric. My fabric is starched so that it is [url]really[/url]stiff and I don't need to use a stabilizer, but Connie is right that you can also use an additional stabilizer if you still get puckers. My choice is Ricky Tim's Stable Stuff under the entire background as well as under the applique pieces. It can be removed by trimming or tearing away after you are finished stitching.
You just need to find what works for you!

My experience with most appliqué methods is that some form of stabilization is needed for the base fabric. Sue and Pat use several coats of spray starch to stiffen the base fabric. Tear-away stabilizer will do the same thing if you don't like to use starch. I have even been known to use plain old copier paper in a pinch, although it can be a pain to pull out all the paper bits. Hope this helps!

Loved Video on a new technique to do applique work. After experimenting with both pattern instructions and Margo's instructions I chose Margo's. I just finished my first flower pot and am not impressed with it at all!
My major issue is that it actually has caused a pucker with the back ground fabric. I am using the invisible filament as I have used this before with good results for quilting. I have also tried cotton with same results. puckers! I can not loosen my tension any further.
Should I be using a tear away Stabalizer? or stabalize the whole piece of fabric?
Is anyone else having this problem???
I am new at applique. Only done a few.

Rita, love your two color combination. I agree with Margo on your center designs. I just finished Month 1 (in southwest colors) and it will be a wall hanging. I too am doing a different center motif, don't have the templates cut yet but will start experimenting with my colors in a few days. Keep us posted with your progress. Great job.

Rita, I love your alternative tulip design, in the darker reds that Margo suggested.

You are correct, Soft and Stable from Superior is not for quilting. It is a fabulous product, but is used in purses or bags rather than a batting of some kind. Am going to the International quilt show in Cincinnati this week and Superior will be there, I will look to see if they have the other stabilizer mentioned and compare. Carol

Margo, that looks great. I agree with you about using different fabrics, thanks for the idea.

I'll second both Margo & Norma's suggestions.