help with applique please

[Pumpkin_Pie]

I made this shirt for DS for this third birthday this year and love how it looks, but can't for the life of me figure out exactly what I am doing....

I love the way that the narrow, tight zig-zag stitch from my machine looks like embroidery, but the fabric is tearing as though it is cut at the edge of the outline. I know it is from the needle poking through so closely that it just cut it like a pair of scissors. Do I need to do a less narrow stitch? I hate how sloppy applique looks with a zig-zag where you can actually see the "z's".

I feel like I am finally getting pretty good at piecing things together, and now I just can't figure out how to get them to stay sewn on. Grrrr....

Just for fun, the evolution of my applique experiments:

Last March: DS's 2nd birthday shirt
Last Summer: Birthday shirt for a friend's son

I really feel like this one looks much more professional and put together. It just is falling apart though. DS wore it for a few hours and the blue frosting on the top of the cake is completely pulled away between two of the candles as though the material has been cut. I don't even dare to wash it. So frustrating.

Any advice?

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Noone does applique here? Please help!

[littlemizflava]

ok i am watching this threadie... i really need to find out the answer to this question also. i thought it was just me that i was doing something wrong. what i have been doing is just using fabric that dont fray (felt and fleece).

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Yes, I am starting to wonder if it was because I used flannel, but I know I have seen appliques in flannel before. What is going wrong??? I have tried googling it, and can't come up with an answer that way either.

[KristyDi]

I'm not sure as I've never had this particular problem, but I'd try a ball point needle. The theory being that the rounded needle would push aside the fibers, rather than cutting them.

And maybe reduce the tightness of the zig-zag just a twitch.

I'm not sure if it would make a difference, but are you using stabilizer on the underside of the shirt?

[hildare]

that's an awesome shirt!
when i make things from fabric that frays, i usually pink the edges and use a bigger seam allowance, but i'm not sure how that relates to either flannel or applique. maybe if you do like a pp suggested and use a backing- and i would probably do an iron on backing, ironing it to the flannel, to stabalize it..

[KristyDi]

I just re-read this thread.

Do you mean that the fabric you've appliqued is separating from the t-shirt? For some reason I thought you meant that the t-shirt was tearing along the stitching lines. In that case I have some other suggestions.

1. re-read the instructions for the fusible web you're using to attach the applique to the tee before you stitch. Make sure you're paying attention to the iron temps and using a damp press cloth. They really do matter. What brand are you using? I've had some issues with Steam a Seam not holding up well. Wonder Under has always worked well for me.

2. Widen your stitch so the stitches bite deeper into the applique fabric. If you're just catching the very edge then it's likely to fray and the edges can come loose. Aim to make the edge of the applique a bit more than halfway to the outside edge of the satin stitch (that's a close zig-zag)

3. If you use fabric softener it can cause the fusible web to not stay attached to the t-shirt.

For fun you can see several of the thing's I've appliqued in my Crafty album on photobucket.

[hartfelt]

use a leave in stabilizer