grammaterry wrote: Thanks for this information. My whiskers happened when I removed the back paper (I just re-did all the steps). So, it must be that the "glue" still holds on to the paper, and my iron was either too hot, either not enough, or I have not left it long enough (although I counted 12 seconds). I will try again with different pièces. I used SoftFuse. I will try again with steam-a-seam, as this never happened with this brand.

Andrée

I have taken classes from two Masters of Fusing, Melinda Bula and Frieda Anderson. Frieda stressed not using Wonder Under, but used Steam a Seam II. She applies fusible to the entire back of a piece of fabric and then with very sharp scissors or a rotary cutter, cuts the shapes she needs. so each piece is fused right to the edge. And yes, she uses the pin method and pulls the entire piece of in one swoop, sets that piece of pre- fused fabric aside and cuts individual shapes as she goes. Then uses a hot dry iron with a press cloth, letting the pieces cool completely before she moves them. she pulls from the top of this piece of fabric, downward...not from the center. Both Frieda and Melinda make fusible fabric collages, not appliqué work, but I don't think they are wanting whiskers to distract from their work, either. there are usually a lot of pieces in their quilts so this is a fast method to get them all cut at one time.

I am not at this stage on my BOM...but after seeing this question and thoughts on appliqué, I just hoped to be able to help by giving you girls this information. I am not sure how they have you cutting these appliqué pieces, so hope this is a help and not just repetitive info for you. If so....kindly disregard. My feelings won't be hurt! LOL!! Teresa

I used Heat n Bond Lite for years but didn't like how it was so stiff, especially when trying to quilt. I love Softfuse and have never had a problem. But I haven't found anyone in our area who sells it and it is very expensive, especially when you add on the price of shipping. My sister used the Heat n Bond Featherlite on a recent project, so I am waiting to hear what she thinks.

I will be looking to try this new Heat n Bond as I was really happy with the wall hanging I made a few days ago using some old Heat n Bond I had on hand. It did not lift at all. The soft fuse is very soft but I'm not happy with the way it lifts. Maybe I am fusing it incorrectly??

Heat n Bond has a new product called Feather Lite (at least it is new to me). I am looking forward to trying it out and see how it compares to Softfuse.

ssgirl wrote: I'm positive you will enjoy her class!

Andrée

Thank you Connie and Andree for the info on Sue Nickels, will have to see if I can arrange to get to one of these, perhaps Asilomar as I will be away in the fall.

Jeannine

I decided to clean out my sewing room and found my Clover self threading needles, they work really great, the Prym will go in the trash! Things are going much quicker now, amazing what a difference a well made tool makes...

Jeannine

ssgirl wrote: I took her appliqué class at the Vermont Quilt Festival back in June. You can check on her website for her schedule:
http://www.sue-nickels.com/schedule.php


Andrée

Jeannine, I know of two places Sue will be teaching next year. She will be teaching 3/25-3/30/14 at the Empty Spools Seminars at Asilomar in California. The website is http://emptyspoolsseminars.com/2014session4.html

She and her sister Pat Holly will be doing Holly Girls Quilt Retreats in northern Michigan throughout September 2014. You can get more details at http://www.Sue-Nickels.com

Thank you Rita, will try to pick up the spiral eye needles tomorrow or a different brand of the self threading. Right now I have put both ends of a contrasting thread through a larger needle and then using the thread loop at the end to surround the threads and bury them. It takes a bit longer though. When I did the interior blocks I buried all the threads as the background is lighter and I had a good self threading needle which I can't find at the moment. Will be glad to finish this appliqué.

Andre, thanks for the appliqué tips, where did you take your Sue Nickels class? I would love to take one of her classes in the next few yrs, I live on the west coast in BC, so would have to plan ahead.

Jeannine

Jeannine, have you tried the spiral eye needles? No shredding with those. I have done some tying off and and some burying of threads - what a pain. Right now I am letting the machine tie off the threads and I will use a fabric glue stick to hide any stray threads. I will be so glad when I have this applique finished.

I wholeheartedly agree that the various applique methods each have their strengths and weaknesses. I try them all.

I enjoy trying new media, tools and learning different methods of artistic expression.
After trying new things, I embrace some and file others away in the back burner of my mind, for a variety of reasons. For instance, I love needle-turn applique, but I could not applique at all if I had to do it needle-turn - due to carpel tunnel damage.

SewDreamy, your quilt is wonderful.

Judy

ssgirl wrote: Jeannine,

I took Sue Nickel's class as well, and I take the habit of burying my threads: if the background fabric is light, then the threads might show through. If your self-threading needle is shredding your thread, then try another brand or maybe another one in the packet - they are not always behaving the same.

Andrée