Free Motion Quilting and Raw Edge Applique

21 responses to “Free Motion Quilting and Raw Edge Applique”

1. Hi Lori, I really enjoy your site and posts. Have been following you for about a year. I am a pattern designer and teacher. Raw edge and free motion quilting are my very favourite parts of quilting.

   mmm can’t seem to post a picture here. But you can see it under applique on my website. blackeyedsusandesigns.com

   1. Hi Susan, Love your designs–especially the clematis and black eyed Susans! What fusible do you recommend? I used Wonder Under, but I would like something less stiff.

      1. I also am an applique lover. I use a fusible called Print n Fuse. It is actually designed so you can print shapes on it from a computer, comes in 8.5″ x 11″ sheets, and has a very soft feel to it. I am interested in Susan’s recommendation, as well.

      2. Thanks for the recommendation. I love that it can be printed!

      3. I’m currently doing my first machine appliqué quilt. I’m using Heat’n’Bond feartherweight and it’s not at all stiff. It’s almost the contrary, you cannot feel it. But it’s not that sticky, you have to sew it down.

2. I really like your approach to FMQ and look forward to your posts every day. I am trying to do a ‘practice run’ and keep the examples in a notebook. Your approach is so refreshing. I am amazed at the simplicity and elegance of most motifs-the designs are things that appeal to me to use. Thank you for sharing. I also enjoy your articles for AQS.

   1. Thank you! So glad you like Free Motion Quilting!

3. I have never done a raw edge, usually fold the edges under but looking at what you have done I think I will give it a try when I get back to my sewing. Thanks

4. Rosemary b here:
   Lori, this is a cute idea! Do you have to use a special needle for your top thread to use this?
   I love the contrast effect. It is sweet.
   I am thinking about trying something like this to make a runner for my mom and dad’s morning 2 hours helper. long story, she used to work for a care giver company, and because of today’s healthcare law rules, the company had to fold, Tooo expensive and confining. So now Karen works for mom and dad just when ever and dad pays her twice as much. She is very cheerful and helpful. I really like her.
   Now that she is not workiing for a company, I can make her gifts 😀
   Have a wonderful happy day.
   Here in No Va, 35 miles west of the Cesspool, it is hazy hot and humid today.
   I hope you do not have that. It is terrible

   1. Hi Rosemary, You are lucky to have found someone to help your parents. I’m sure it is a relief to know they are in good hands!
      No special needle for the Twister Tweed–Topstitch 90 was in my machine.

5. Great idea to use a decorative way of raw edge applique. Love it. Actually used one of your designs in a quilt yesterday, it was the sun. THank you for the inspiration xx

6. I love the way you extended the design into the background. I always do my flowers and then go back & try to figure out how and what to do to the background. I will have to save this and try this on my next project. Love all of your designs. Hope I can get this creative on my next project.

7. I LOVE your designs and the tutorials in your blog. I’m practicing and hopefully getting better. I really like the freedom.

8. Lori, have you ever used Steam-a-seam products? I think they are by Warm Company. Currently they are having some issues with some of their papers and I’m not sure if all products are available right now. The Steam-a-seam II Lite has paper on both sides and one needs to work in reverse and that is my least favorite feature, but many products are that way and some people have no trouble working that way. The Lite is the lightest of the products and I used it on a landscape piece I did and had no trouble stitching through several layers, If you can’t get it right now, wait a few months and then try again. There is some info on the Warm Company website.

   1. Shar, Thank you so much for that tip. It doesn’t matter for the flowers if they are reversed. I will definitely try it!

   2. Shar, Thanks for the tip. I will definitely give the Steam-a-Seam a try.

9. Lori, I’ve looked forward to your posts for quite a while now and I’m never disappointed. I am lucky enough to be in MN for the month of August. I’ve participated in the MN Shop Hop which was terrific! I have also been sewing daily. Some days I’ve been able to sew all day and longer. It has been a wonderful treat for me.
   I don’t know how you get everything done. You must ne a very organized person. Whatever your trick is, I greatly appreciate all of you creative ideas and find them very motivating. Many thanks.

10. This is great!

11. What a fun piece! I have just started using Misty Fuse for my fusibles. I really like how soft it is and how I never have to worry about it gumming up my needle. No paper on Misty Fuse though–working without a net!

12. I just used one of your quilt designs today…the square flower. I didn’t do the quilting lines inside the “petals” because I was going for a less dense quilted block. It turned out perfect. Love your tutorials and refer to them often. Thanks you.

    1. Love to hear that you modified to suit YOUR needs!