Tips and Tricks

I was reading Yvonne's post today over at Quilting Jetgirl. 

The topic today is Tips and Tutorials and Yvonne is inviting people to write a post and link to her post.

I have a little applique tip, but I think it is an important one....and maybe everyone this already, but here goes!

When finishing appliqueing a piece, make sure the tail of the thread is secured underneath the applique. Try to avoid leaving a long dangly thread.

Here is a bit that I appliqued today...

....and here is a picture of the back-side of the same piece.....

See the orange thread that I stitched with? Whenever I finish a thread I always tie a little knot anchored to the background fabric, then take two running stitches, making sure I'm just catching the background fabric.

Here's why...

As a  longarm quilter, I have quilted applique quilts where there have been long dangling dark threads. If they end up straying under a light coloured background fabric, they may be noticeable after quilting. Then your quilt could have what's known in the longarm industry as having "varicose veins"...not a nice look! 

By securing the the threads the way I have shown in the pictures, there is no chance of that happening.

Secondly, I always take these little stitches in the applique's seam allowance so that if I choose to clip away the background fabric behind the applique, I can do so without a problem.

On a side note....there is always discussion on whether or not to trim away that background fabric behind the applique.

 Here is my opinion...but in the end it's up to you since it's your quilt.....

I leave it if the quilt is going to be quilted on the longarm. If it's just a layer or two, I don't believe it adds much bulk. If I am going to hand-quilt the quilt then I will take the time to trim the background away, as it will be easier for me to quilt.

Next to be added are the bumble bees...

I may have to do the wings over as they should be further up the body of the bee...but maybe not, we'll see.

I'm quite on-track to finish the two rabbit borders this month. I'm pretty happy about that as I'm still hoping to begin hand-quilting on this one in February :)

As mentioned, I am linking up with Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl for Tips and Tutorials. I am also linking with Sew Fresh Quilts for Let's Bee Social and with Susan at Quilt Fabrication for Midweek Makers. 

Have a wonderful day and try to keep warm!