rosamondac wrote: Hi, Rosamond! I just took Sue Nickles' raw-edge appliqué class 2 weeks ago. She had samples of pieces that had been laundered many times, and showed no evidence of fraying. She is VERY particular about how she treats the fusible web (avoid excessive handling) and the fusing process (follow manufacturer's directions carefully). The other key is to use a thread heavy enough to cover the edges well with the blanket stitch, but light enough to be in proportion to what is being stitched. Her favorite is Mettler 50 weight cotton, which is a 3-ply thread.

BTW....if you want to watch Ricky's technique, check out Episodes 803 and 804. He shows us how to design our own Rhapsody quilt and takes us through the entire process from design to applique.

Thanks for sharing your results with us Carol!

Rosemond I am using the fusible that is recommended as I had used it on another project. It is lighter weight than steam a seam. Originally I was going to use Margo's method, but I did samples of all of my fabrics, then I washed on regular cycle and dried. Washed with a bunch of fabrics I was preshrinking, so got lots of agitation. Not one edge was frayed. It looks wonderful. You would never guess it was raw edge. So I decided to proceed with the raw edge. In addition, it is incredibly soft, can't even tell there is fusible used. I will continue to use in the future, but it is expensive. Carol

Thanks for the info. So, with using the Steam-a-Seam II, would you cut it out like Sue and Pat in the little spirals? I've never tried that but I like the idea of not having the Steam-a-Seam on the whole piece. Just don't know if Steam-a-Seam is thinner than what Sue and Pat recommended. :

Hi Rosamund, welcome to the BOM club! I have done the same as Ricky does using a double blanket stitch around the edges. I think the key is doing the double blanket stitch because I think it holds the edges firmly in place - as does the steam a seam. I also think it's really important to have a good sharp scissors to cut the shapes once the steam a seam is on them, that way you won't have any frayed edges. Don't forget to post your progress on the BOM show and tell page. We are all interested to see each other's work

Rosamond, Ricky's appliques are done with Steam A Seam II, and are all raw edges. He covers the raw edges with a double blanket stitch and there is no evidence of fraying after many washes and lots of traveling!

Libby featured his blanket stitch in this video: [url]learn/classrooms/[/url]

I only jumped into the BOM last month so obviously I'm a few months behind. I'm just now getting to the month 4 appliqué part of the quilt.

I originally learned to machine applique using the method that Margo showed for preparing my pieces. (I am actually a hand applique
person) Surprisingly, I was taught that method by Sue Nichols! I took 2 classes from her in Houston way back when and before she and Pat started using the raw-edged method. I had thought I would try the raw-edged method just to learn something new. However, after watching Margo's video, I started second guessing myself. My question is this...over time, will the raw-edged method hold up as well as the turned edge method?? Or will those raw-edges start to fray even though they are blanket stitched? I still like the look of the blanket stitch on this particular quilt so will probably do that any way I go. Does Ricky do turned appliqué for his pieces or does he use raw-edged?

Thanks!
Rosamond