The Potting Shed

Leonie2 · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 1:01 pm Post subject: Applique

Jesse
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Posted: 25 Feb 2006 12:29 pm Post subject: Applique

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I have this idea...I want to make something, perhaps another quilt or a cushion or toy sack or something, not sure what yet....but I want to make it with appliqued designs on, maybe of sweets, icecreams and doughnuts. I got my inspiration from a few t-shirts that J has...she has the ones from last year with an icecream, a doughnut and popcorn on, here's this year's ones to give you an idea of the look I'm aiming for:

How difficult is applique and can anyone recommend a book on the basics of getting started.
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Plocket
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Posted: 25 Feb 2006 01:00 pm Post subject:

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Hum. I'll ask my mum if she can recommend any books, but I've done it before without using any instructions. You cut out the shape you want, leaving a very narrow margin for tucking in, and tack it into position on whatever you are working, cushion cover, shirt etc. Then you basically sew it on (I don't know the name of the stitch - I'm hopeless like that sorry!) tucking in a little bit as you go around. The stitches need to be tiny, and virtually hidden, and your work will look brilliant. The important bit though is the tacking so you know it's firmly in place, in the correctly position. And it's easy!
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n
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Posted: 25 Feb 2006 01:13 pm Post subject:

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Ask and you shall receive.
I have the very book you need on my shelf (you knew I would, didn't you?).
Plocket is right, you can do it by hand and then it's known as "needle turn" applique, you just turn the raw edge under with the point of the needle as you go.
If you want to do it on t shirt fabric (especially) I'd suggest you equip yourself with some Stitch and Tear and some Bondaweb.
Bondaweb is like double sided heat activated (with an iron) thin fibre and looks like very thin paper backed interfacing.
You iron tje Bondaweb onto the wrong side of a piece of fabric. Then you trace the design you want onto the paper side (wrong side). This makes a mirror image, so if it's numbers or a design which will matter if it's back to front, do it as a mirror image.
(Personally I NEVER put a child's name on a t-shirt where someone can read it. "Hello, Jane, mummy said I should collect you from school today...... ") It's just not safe.
Then you peel off the paper backing.
Position it where you want on the shirt. (right side)
Iron to activate the glue again.
Take a piece of Stitch and Tear bigger than the design and pin it on the INSIDE of the garment.
Use a close up zig zag as satin stitch and zig zag around the design.
Tear away the backing.
Voila!

It's all in the book.
Shall I send it down?
n

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Jesse
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Posted: 25 Feb 2006 02:25 pm Post subject:

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please n, that would be great, I can understand your and Plockets instructions but seeing it in pictures always makes it easier for me. I agree about the name thing on clothing, have never liked the idea myself.

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Lottie
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Posted: 25 Feb 2006 03:27 pm Post subject:

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I am trying to visualise that too - it sounds easy but..................

I could do that on bags for C presents if I could work it out.

Must go to the village shed library when it opens next week and order a book - or maybe it will show me if I search online.

Back this evening - really must go and get on outside.
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n
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Posted: 25 Feb 2006 10:44 pm Post subject:

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Well if I send the book to Jesse and then she sends it to you....?
The instructions are very easy and the book has a huge "library" of designs, so once Jesse has done it once or twice and copied any designs she needs, you could borrow it.
I've had it about 15 years but I can do it in my sleep now, and many of the designs are for pink elephants and ice cream cones... wel out of the sphere of interest for teenage boys!
Should have said, the stitch n tear keeps it flat while you sew, so it doesn't end up all cockled.
I would suggest doing it on plain fabric first, then something like a swatshirt and finally on t shirts. They are so light weight it's easier to work up to t shirt fabric.
You'll need Ball point needles for sweatshirting and t shirts.
n

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Jesse
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Posted: 25 Feb 2006 10:56 pm Post subject:

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thanks n, am happy to send book onto Lottie once I've copied and noted what I need to know. I want to applique the designs onto cotton squares which will possibly (most likely) be used to make a quilt. The t-shirt pic above was just to give an idea of what look I'm after i.e. bright colours and those kind of applique pictures/designs. Been doing some more looking around, take a look here: http://mypapercrane.com/, the squares on the arts and crafts page are roughly what I want to create from fabrics using applique, then incorporating all the squares together into a quilt. I know I said I won't do another quilt until later in the year....I'm just preparing myself in advance

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Lottie
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Posted: 26 Feb 2006 12:30 am Post subject:

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Jesse what a wonderful link - lots of inspiration there for all sorts of things
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Leanne
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Posted: 26 Feb 2006 09:00 am Post subject:

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can you post the title, author and isbn no of this book please, so we can have a look in libraries, online please?
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n
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Posted: 26 Feb 2006 11:05 pm Post subject:

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Applique the Kwik Sew Way
by Kerstin Martensson
ISBN
0-913212-11-3
BUT I have had it at least 15 yesrs, and Kerstin Martensson is the owner/ originator of a paper pattern company in the US specifically for sewing stretchy fabrics like lycra/sweatshirt fabric/ stretch jersey so it's a bit of a niche market.
Honestly, I haven't used it in ages, and am happy to let it do the rounds.
As Kathy will tell you, I prefer to let things out on long term loan than give them away, mainly because it spreads the skills around, but I can't see me needing it back anytime soon so if it goes to Jesse and then Plocket and then elsewhere, that's fine.
It's a softback, so I'll get it in the post to Jesse as soon as I can.
n

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Kathy
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Posted: 26 Feb 2006 11:12 pm Post subject:

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Is this it here?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/APPLIQUE-TH...PageNameZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Leanne
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Posted: 27 Feb 2006 09:41 am Post subject:

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thanks for posting the details n. you never know when one might turn up in a charity shop or boot fair!
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n
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Posted: 27 Feb 2006 05:33 pm Post subject:

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Yes, that's it.
Make sure it has the sheet of trace-able designs with it. It isn't attached to the book, but comes with it.
n

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Kathy
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Posted: 27 Feb 2006 07:10 pm Post subject:

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Thanks for the tip N. I dont intend to buy that one, just wondered about the availabilty. Now I know about the traceable design I know what to watch out for.
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Jellycat
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Joined: 28 Feb 2006
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Posted: 28 Feb 2006 05:12 pm Post subject:

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This might have been mentioned already but if you choose felt or something similar that doesn't fray, you don't need to worry about turning under the edges of the motif - much less fiddly!

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Plocket
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Posted: 28 Feb 2006 05:45 pm Post subject:

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Good tip, but don't forget that felt is wool so can't be hot-washed, and the dyes often aren't permanent.
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Jesse
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Posted: 28 Feb 2006 06:45 pm Post subject:

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if I use felt I'll prewash first and see how it turns out. hot wash is not a problem as I only ever do a cold or warm wash.

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Svea
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Posted: 28 Feb 2006 09:53 pm Post subject:

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i am about to applique something onto a tshirt myself - a little craft project. i want to use a combination of fabric paint (is there a fabric paint 'pen' one could use?) to draw cartoon style black outlines and lines, and then use bondaweb, iron and big decorative stiching (rather than really tiny tight stiching) to fix pieces of fabric.

how does that sound? should that work? should i still have a piece of that papery stich and tear stuff?

and, finally, does anyone have tiny scraps of funky fabric left overs? i am trying to create a washing line - i have denim for a pair of jeans, i will knit a small jumper-like outline and a scarf, but i would love to make some y-fronts or boxer shorts, too
it's for a male friend of mine in the states....not sure he will ever wear it but it should be amusing.....

(sorry to highjack your thread, jesse)

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n
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Posted: 01 Mar 2006 12:25 am Post subject:

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The stitch and tear stops it going lumpy because it holds the whole thing properly flat so it looks shop bought rather than cobbled together. I ALWAYS use it because to me if it looks home made (as opposed to shop-bought craft-look) no-one wants to wear it so you have wasted time materials etc AND you have to go and buy something to take it's place as well.
n
I will try and do a proper "lesson" with photos, but (and I know I sound like a broken record) I can't do anything until the weekend.

Jesse I tried to send the book today and the village Post Office has a sign saying "due to unforseen circumstances we are shut for a fortnight!!!"
So, I'll post it tomorrow. Have also included a book on sewing for kids with patterns... sweatshirts/joggers/T shirts/skirts ages 4-12. Again this one can do the rounds, so form an orderly queue.
n

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Leanne
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Posted: 01 Mar 2006 09:46 am Post subject:

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yes svea, i have a set of fabric paint pens made by Dylon
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Jesse
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Posted: 01 Mar 2006 10:03 am Post subject:

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Thanks n, I look forward to that but there's no rush so please don't worry

Svea, the place I bought my washable quilt marking pen also sells permanent marking pens for signing quilts, that might be what you want, have a look in your local sewing shop or on ebay.

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Plocket
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Posted: 01 Mar 2006 10:46 am Post subject:

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Yep I was just about to recommend the pens by Dylon. Do you have a Dunelm near you coz they sell them there. Or a decent art and craft shop should have them too.
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Svea
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Posted: 01 Mar 2006 08:23 pm Post subject:

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negative!
will have to check my nearest haberdashery department though - fingers crossed.

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Plocket
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Posted: 01 Mar 2006 10:12 pm Post subject:

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Ooops yes sorry - forgot you weren't in England. Good luck!
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Lottie
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Posted: 02 Mar 2006 07:49 pm Post subject:

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OK what has happened to the vegetable monthly applique block then.

Anyone up for it!

Instructions please for the first veg
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Jesse
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Posted: 02 Mar 2006 08:26 pm Post subject:

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Lottie I think that's in the other thread. N will be posting instructions but she's a little tied up (not literally you understand ) at the minute.

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Lottie
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Posted: 02 Mar 2006 08:35 pm Post subject:

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O.K.

Didn't want you to think that I said I was up for it then lost interest! No rush.
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n
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Posted: 02 Mar 2006 11:51 pm Post subject:

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Sorry, things got a bit delayed as have been poorly and trying to go to work and making a quilt too. I hope to get to it, and some applique directions this weekend.
Haven't forgotten, honest.
n

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Lottie
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Posted: 03 Mar 2006 08:57 am Post subject:

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n wrote:
Sorry, things got a bit delayed as have been poorly and trying to go to work and making a quilt too. I hope to get to it, and some applique directions this weekend.
Haven't forgotten, honest.
n

Golly gosh - absolutely no rush - honestly - only posted as I am a bit of a scatter brain and thought I had missed it!

Next month will do. We are all laid back here and have lots of other things on the go too

Hope you start to feel perkier sooon 'n'
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