Posted by dravon in Education & Instruction | Comments Off on The Good and the Bad of MEA (machine embroidered applique)
The Good and the Bad of MEA (machine embroidered applique)
In my last post, I talked about my favorite scissors for use with machine embroidered applique and specifically why I liked them so much. As promised, I found a couple of examples to illustrate what I was talking about in terms of the importance of being able to trim really close to the tack-down line.
It doesn’t take a particularly sharp eye to spot why this is my “Bad Example” picture. This is the OESD Haunted House, which was tons of fun and I really enjoyed making it, but I do wish I’d found those scissors prior to embarking on this particular project. Not only were we working with a very difficult organza material, but the satin stitching that goes around the appliqued figures was on the thinner side. I have noticed that different companies tend to make wider or narrower applique satin stitched edges, and those companies that favor the thinner, more refined lines therefore require more precision on the part of the embroiderer to ensure that the ghosts and the windows turn out looking great … instead of raggedy like they are here.
Here you can see a “Good Example”. Not only was I using my new scissors for this Anita Goodesign Mariner’s Compass quilt, but the satin stitched edges are a smidge wider. Of all the companies I’ve worked with so far, Anita Goodesign is really good when it comes to their applique. They build into the design the idea that perhaps the maker may not have the greatest scissors, or be all that particular about how closely they trim the excess fabric away. I guess that is why they are popular.
I’m about to embark on a massive Hoop Sisters Embroiderablock of the Month quilt, which you’ve seen pictures of the color samples. They also have slightly wider satin stitched edges, but aren’t quite as wide as Anita Goodesign tends to favor. We’ll see how well I do with the spectacular but massive Jacobean quilt!
Until we meet again, Happy Sewing!
– Dravon
