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Helpful Hints on appliqué technique Making the Appliqué Shapes Use a fine, very sharp pair of scissors to cut out the appliqué shapes to reduce fraying of the edges. Use the tip of your scissors to carefully score the centre of the fusible backing paper before you attempt to remove it - this will break the seal of the backing paper and allow it to be removed easily - reducing wear on the edges of your appliqué shape and therefore reducing fray. Raw Edge Appliqué, Free Motion Stitching and Machine Quilting Raw edge appliqué will give differing results depending on how you perform the process. Always use good quality fusible. If you want your edges to appear neat with little fray then sew very close to the edges of the shapes - this is my preferred finish. I sew as slowly and as precisely as I can to achieve this look. However, if you don't mind a more rustic finish then think of your needle as a pencil and imagine you are roughly sketching around your shape. Either way if you choose your threads wisely, matching them carefully to your fabrics, then if your stitching strays a little or isn't always straight…it won't be noticeable once several rows of stitching are completed and the quilt is finished. If possible set your machine to always finish in the needle down position. If you have a knee lift mechanism then make sure you use it! I can't stress enough how useful this function of your sewing machine is!!! If you have one and don't use it then now is the time to get it out and try again. Always wear quilting gloves while completing raw edge appliqué and when machine quilting to assist you with smooth movement of the fabric under the machine. You should always practice on a small sample of quilt sandwich prior to commencing on your actual project to assist with developing a smooth follow or rhythm to your movement. This will also assist in ensuring that the settings on your machine are correct. If you have any problems with tension use these rules as a guide:
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