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Notes:
Quilting an appliqué quilt on a free-motion machine
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Appliqué has a soft spot in my heart. When I started quilting in 1997 I was obsessed with appliqué and turned to experienced quilters to teach me what they knew about the variety of techniques traditionally used. I learned about machine appliqué, needle turn appliqué, prepared edge appliqué, and raw edge appliqué. Every technique requires a different time commitment and entails a different set of skills.
I started with hand appliqué and learned from many instructors how to achieve beautiful stitches through patience and commitment.
Quilting an appliqué top can be challenging. I researched historical approaches to appliqué. In the beginning, I would try to replicate what a hand quilter would traditionally do such as stitching in the ditch around all the appliqué elements to create a sculptural effect.
When I first started quilting a lot of the machine quilters would just barely come up to the edge of the appliqué and not stitch in the ditch. For example, they would not stitch all of the elements inside of a flower. They would just leave the whole flower puffy. I felt that didn't provide the full dimensional quality that was needed. I felt it was really important to add machine quilting inside of the appliqué as well as outside of the appliqué.
I started mirroring on my machine what I saw hand quilters doing. I always try my best to maximize the rich structural aspects of the quilt while respecting the original appliqué stitchwork. One of the tricks that I use is to stitch in the ditch with nylon thread that is very clear. This can require quite a lot of work. In the end all of those stitches are almost invisible to the eye but the result has impact. All of the time and effort provides a strong physical support to the appliqué forms.
To learn more see: https://mctavishstudio.com.
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Credits/products used in this video:
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This video is made possible through the generous support of Bobbie Edds in memory of her late husband Sidney Edds.
I want to thank Eileen Zube for the opportunity to quilt her quilts and share this video with you on machine quilting an applique quilt on a longarm.
Pattern: "Hummingbird" by Toni Whitney https://www.toniwhitney.com/products/hummingbird-pattern/
Video production by Kathy & Karen McTavish
Music by the cosmic pit orchestra (Richie Townsend, electric guitar & Kathy McTavish, cello)
Opening sound by free dissonance (Mags David, voice & Kathy McTavish, cello)
Opening image by Wolfskull Creative
Longarm Machines: APQS Millie (sales, service and training by Karen McTavish) authorized showroom in Duluth Minnesota. For more info: www.apqs.com
Credits/Products used in this video:
Corsage Pins:https://www.amazon.com/Corsage-Teardrop-Wedding-Bouguet-Decorations/dp/B08P1PWSLD/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=100+count+corsage+pins&qid=1634684185&sr=8-6
Wool Pin Cushions: https://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Quilter-Pincushion-Notions-Purple/dp/B092B631CX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=wool+pin+cushion&qid=1634684296&sr=8-1
Batting: Quilters Dream Wool and Quilters Dream Poly Deluxe http://www.quiltersdreambatting.com/
Nylon Thread: Whisper Touch .006 clear thread https://ylicorp.com/products/whispertouch?variant=38856300174
Glide Thread by Hab & Dash https://www.habanddash.com/ also available on Amazon.com
Straight Rulers: 8” Ideal Quilt Angel Edition https://stores.sewverysmooth.com/8-ideal-quilt-guide-angel-edition/
Curved Rulers: Ronda’s Rulers https://quiltersrule.com/ProductThumbs.php?category=922&tier=retail
Quilting Stencils: https://www.quiltingstencils.com/
Blue Line Eraser Products (to remove markings without washing):
https://bluelineeraser.com/
Bohn Chalk Pencil: https://www.amazon.com/BOHIN-Chalk-Pencil-Refillable-Cartridge/dp/B019JC99C4/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=bohn+chalk+marking&qid=1634665430&sr=8-4
Dritz Purple Disappearing Ink Marking Pen, https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-677-60-Disappearing-Marking-Purple/dp/B00175Z2QE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JBI8QQYE4DDT&dchild=1&keywords=dritz+purple+disappearing+pen&qid=1634665331&sr=8-1
EZ Quilting Blue Water Soluble Marking Pen (submerge in water to remove!)
https://www.amazon.com/Wrights-8823005-Water-Soluble-Marking/dp/B003WMI6JA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OQFQJWER2Q5D&dchild=1&keywords=ez+quilting+blue+water+soluble&qid=1634665503&sr=8-1