February 20, 2012

In response to last year’s Call for Topics, Donna A. wrote:

I need to know everything! I have a wonderful teacher but she lives a long ways from me. I pretty much just drink in all the information I can get my hands on. Make more books and more patterns — there can never be enough!

Donna, I’m workin’ on it . :)

Donna also wrote that she need to know the pros and cons of glue basting.

Personally I don’t use glue or starch (with the exception of a dab of glue stick in certain specialty situations) but I know that many appliquérs couldn’t live without glueing the edges of their pieces over. It all depends on what you prefer. Myself I’m in the camp of less prep and let’s get to the stitching, but then again needle-turn is like breathing for me. Other appliquérs do not enjoy the edge-turning process and would rather have it done in advance. It’s all good! Whatever gives you the satisfaction in the process and the happiness with the result, that’s what you should do.

Here are the pros and cons of glue from my personal perspective.

PROS

• It’s a prepared-edge method, which means you don’t have to turn the edge while stitching. You just get to stitch away.

CONS

• You get glue on your fingers. Ew.
• You have glue in your project.
• It’s more prep time before getting to the stitching.
• You have to make templates.

If you know of more pros and cons, please chime in!

glue-stick

Here’s a roundup of glue-related posts from the blog. (I got this by clicking on “Glue stick” in the Category list.) I’d pay particular attention to Holly’s method and Laurel’s book.

Glue stick.

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

In other news, Anne Sutton posted about an upcoming on-line sewing competition show called Sliced. Ooooh that has got to be good. I can’t wait!

Reminder: I’ll be at the upcoming Pajaro Valley Quilt Association’s annual show, February 25-26. My booth is #30, the first one on the right as you come into the main building, aka the Crosetti building. Our featured speaker is amazing pictorial quilt artist Linda Schmidt. There’s a fashion show and a quilt auction, a bed turning, door prizes, guild flea market, children’s activities, and a whole lot of fun at our show.

Comments

4 Responses to “Stuck like glue”

  1. Debbie St.Germain on February 20th, 2012 8:01 pm

    One thing I notice when using glue the last time, was that my edges were too sharp and some came out bumpy. When I needle turn, I can smooth it out and roll it around the curves so much easier.

    Debbie

  2. Carrie P. on February 21st, 2012 7:05 am

    NO glue for me. Too messy.

  3. Angie SoCal on February 21st, 2012 7:20 am

    These are such interesting and helpful posts, Kay. I too am not a glue appliquer. BTW: I just came here from the Quiltmaker blog where they are giving away a quilt top variation from the March/April issue – and yours is one of them. Of course I entered and hope I win it!

    Lovely pattern, Kay.

  4. Joan Trautwein on February 21st, 2012 7:50 am

    So no glue for me except some times in those stubborn, tiny inward “v”‘s. (A little glue stick on a toothpick.) I’ve tried all the different ways but did not appreciate all the time it took to prepare. I just want to stitch–the sooner the better. Applique is still so enjoyable even after 60+ years.