My bags are packed, and I'm ready to go . . . . But my companion called and said she was running behind schedule, so I have time to do that valley applique post I was hoping I'd get to.
Again, I'm starting this with all the prep having been done and the applique piece affixed by a bit of glue to the background (but I don't glue where the valley is). I will have ironed back the raw edges of the valley as best as I am able. Sometimes I'll use a toothpick dipped in starch to smooth the edges a bit if there are stray threads poking out, but most of the time, I just know I'll tuck them under with my needle.
As I get close to a valley, I take a stitch a little further away from the edge of the applique piece than I normally would. This will give me a little room to coax the edge under just a bit further.
There's really no photo of this, but after my stitch, I run the needle under the edge of the applique piece, pushing it under just a bit more to ensure there isn't a raw edge.
When I get to the very deepest point of the valley, I often take a couple of small stitches to make sure that if there's a tiny bit of raw edge, it's covered with my stitches, although I'm careful to make sure those stitches aren't so large that they show up much against the applique fabric.
After that, I just continue on to the next tip. It takes a little practice and a bit of patience, but I'm sure you can get it right. Remember, though, just like with the points, it may never be absolutely perfect; it's just important to get a result that looks reasonably good and won't come apart or fray with a couple washes.
Here's a photo of the back of the tree, so you can see the stitches.
And here's the front--done!
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3 comments:
Thanks so much for the very helpful tutorial. Your stitches are perfect, your work is beautiful. I love when you show your BOM's that are appliqué, they always look wonderful. I think I'm going to give this another try. I think your tutorials have been giving me all the instruction, now I need a little confidence. Thank you again, Toni Anne
Hi Kim, thank you for posting the tutorials. I've been working on the bunny hill snow man quilt. I'm using Anne Sutton's machine appliqué method. I wish that I had the time and patience to hand appliqué. I think your going to be in my part of the bay for your work shop. I hope that have fun and find time to visit the supper friendly gals at Wooden Gate quilts.
Thank you for the great tutorial. Love the tree. Do you know your first few lines in this blog are the beginning of "Leavin' On a Jet Plane"? Now that I have that song in my head for the rest of the night..................... Have a good trip.
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