Needle Turn Appliqué: A Masterclass

[@rossp1467]

This is the best needle tutorial I've found on KZbin (and I've watched a ton of them!). I'm an experienced beginner now, and here's what I've learned: 1). She's absolutely right: trim to an 1/8 of an inch. Other tutorials have said 1/4" , but any more than an 1/8 makes curves too hard to turn under. Take your time trimming. Good prep = better results 2). Use a size 11 needle (milliner's needle!). I've bought and tried many different sized needles. You definitely want something thin and easy to push and pull! I'm currently using Bohn 11s but have John James Milliners Straw Needles (11) coming from Amazon. My man fingers could use something a little longer. 3). My thread of choice is YLI silk thread (200 meters per spool). Yes, it's more expensive than regular thread, but it is strong and thin! It hides itself easily! I haven't had any problems with knotting, and I cut my initial thread at about 16-18 inches. 4). I thought snipping to the line on curves was insane, but thrust me, when doing inner curves, it makes turning on your drawn line so much easier. If you don't snip to the line on an inner curve, the fabric won't turn on the line. 5). Baste your applique patch rather than pin it. Yes, it take more time, but thread gets caught in pins very easily. I am so glad I basted!! 6). Unless your an eagle, by a pair of readers. I'm using a 4x pair! 7). Be patient with yourself. Get over the idea of doing something quickly and practice mindfulness (being present to the moment). Needle turning is not something that can be rushed. It's why we work by hand anyway, right? 8). Do a sample piece before you try needle turning your actual project. It's worth the time to get the feel of the process. 9). Happiness is a needle turn curve on your actual line!!!! It's almost better than ice cream! Thanks for your tutorial. It gave me the clearest idea of how to proceed!

[@chevydude658]

WOW! This by far THE BEST video I have seen for appliqué. The quality is just outstanding! You did such a great job and all your hard work you put into this is not wasted on me. My doctor suggested hand crafts for me because of my blood pressure. So I’ve learned to knit, embroider, and crochet. I knitted so much stuff and nobody wants it! So now I’ve moved on to appliqué and quilting for a new horizon. I’m a new hard core fan of your work. Thank you so much!

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

It is because of comments like these that make it all worth it!!! Can't say thank you enough for your kind words! Welcome to the world of applique! I hope you love it as much as I do. ☺️❤️

[@jacintacesp]

I think stitching seems to be v popular right now. I am really intrigued by making pictures with embroidery

[@winnievanvuuren9138]

❤❤

[@hopebrookinsofficial]

This is by far the most helpful needleturn appliqué tutorial I’ve come across! Thank you!!!

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

So so so happy to hear this!

[@patinabents6763]

This tutorial is just amazing! I think using some quick basting stitches could be a good alternative for the big pins in the middle. Your thread doesn't get caught and you can't accidentally prick yourself no matter how you hold/turn your work.

[@kimberlysandelin1520]

i am learning how to needle turn and hand applique. My first one was ok. But after watching your video I tried a sample using your instructions. It turned out beautiful. I am so thrilled. I am going to redo my first one using your instructions. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@victoriachamberlain4843]

I agree on getting stuck on the big pins! The stitches you make are so tiny and just wonderful work. Loved this.

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Aren't they the worst!?!? Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so! :)

[@writeon8939]

Super helpful guide for a beginner, thank you so much. Hopefully one day I'll be as fast and neat as you. To be fair I'm still getting used to wearing a thimble which feels like a huge hurdle by itself.

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

So happy to hear it! Stick with it, it all becomes second nature. When I started I felt the same about the thimble and my stitches were larger than I was aiming for but over time and without my even noticing, it all got much easier. Happy stitching! :)

[@nicolabrookes9138]

Such a talent. Incredibly skilled and beautifully finished 😍

[@cathyphegley7848]

Thank you so much for your very clear and concise instructions. I have been interested in doing appliqué for quite a while. Love quilting and embroidery and anything else to do with fabric and thread. Cathy in Montana 💕

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Absolutely, Cathy! I hope you love it as much as I do! ☺️

[@annettebroomhall8617]

When pins get in the way, use craft glue. The stuff in a tube that kids use. I use a few swipes on the back of the main body of the piece to be appliqued, press it into place and then add the rest of the pieces. This makes the entire piece completely portable. You can also iron the pieces and still be able to move them again if need be.

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Such a good tip, will def give it a try! Thank you so much for sharing! ☺️

[@suzisaintjames]

Consider using a finger pincushion. It's like a wrist pincushion but in miniture. The way you hold your fabric whilst stitching, it would be perfect on your left thumb. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Thanks for the tip!

[@perfectlyseasoned]

Such an incredibly helpful applique tutorial! Thanks.

[@charlotteparadis4754]

I received a metal box filled with tons of sewing related things last Christmas. Amongst them were those tiny pins. Now I know what they’re for 😂 and I’m excited to put them to use. Great video, everything is so clearly explained. Thank you!

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

How lucky are you! I have since publishing this video discovered that those tiny pins work EVEN BETTER if you use them on the back side of your applique. Happy sewing!

[@charlotteparadis4754]

@@stuartmoorestextiles wonderful, thank you for the tip! 😍

[@rozeichelberger3400]

You sure made that easy! Thank you for your time and showing how to cut into difficult places.Feel more confident about next project

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

That is so great to hear! Happy stitching!

[@sarahday3297]

Really thoughtful guide!! Can’t wait to try :)

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Thank you so much, Sarah! :)

[@Top2tow]

A fabulous video. Everything I needed to know. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. ❤️

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Absolutely! ☺️🧵🪡

[@kimlansdale7317]

Great job simplifying the instructions. Thank you!

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Absolutely! So glad it was helpful! ☺️

[@paulinepan8593]

👍 simple instructions for beginners. Love your teaching

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Thank you so much! Glad it was helpful! ☺️

[@lisalasers]

Amazingly clear lesson!!!

[@ClaudiaGarcia-pd8sf]

How lovely and well explained! Thanks for sharing 😃

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching! ☺️🪡🧵

[@helencain6981]

Loved this hoping my arthritic fingers can cope!! Thank made it look so simple

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

I'm so glad you liked it! :)

[@nancy-katharynmcgraw2669]

Love the focused very close-up photos! Credit the composer/musicians in the descriptions area, please. I have heard this music before but cannot place it; thanks!

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

So glad you liked it! Hope the close-ups help you create great projects. The music is one of the KZbin Library royalty free songs entitled Sonatine No 2 in F major Rondo by Joel Cummins so you can download it for free if you want to hear more! Happy stitching! :)

[@teresaestevezalvarez664]

I loved it, I am going to appliqué some plain cushions. Hope to do a good job after your very instructive explanations. Thank you for sharing your skill.

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

So happy you found this helpful! Happy stitching to you! ☺️

[@marthagoolsby6921]

Thank you so much for these clear instructions. I learned to applique in the dark ages, basting every piece before appliquing. I have been afraid of trying needle turn. Does your left thumb not hurt. I’m pumped to try it

[@Treehouse409]

This is so helpful thank you... Did you do the 1899 numbers in this method too?

[@perlavera1308]

You rock! As a beginner this is a great tutorial💕Thank you

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Aw, thank you! YOU rock!

[@AfreensCreations]

Thanks for sharing

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Absolutely! ☺️👍

[@ZezeDurham]

This was the most helpful video I have got for this!…I’m currently studying diploma and I’m making a shirt and wanted to do mountains and sunflowers on the shirt so yah…for a beginner I think 8m rather ambitious but this helped a lot and I didn’t mess up :)

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Yay! So happy to hear this! Happy stitching and good luck on your diploma! ☺️

[@arielkral1274]

Your video was really helpful with the curves. I want to add applique to a denim jacket. Do you think this type of applique would hold up well? Also, I was considering adding batting behind my applique to add some dimension. Is this possible? Haven't seen any videos talk about it.

[@geetaraikarshirodkar2149]

Very helpful video❤❤

[@bellydancezoe]

Awesome tutorial thank you ❤

[@barefacedquestions]

Is it common for people to just draw directly on a piece of fabric instead of tracing? Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial.

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

You can absolutely draw free hand! I would say people use stencils mostly to get the perfect shape and to easily repeat the shapes. Happy stitching! ☺️

[@scorpiongten9655]

Congratulations on your beautiful creations. You are very good and you explain perfectly! Everything. I have a question...what kind of fabric do you use? Linen, cotton, canvas or what else?

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Oh, thank you so much! I am using my plant dyed linen. ☺️

[@flootify]

thank you so much for this wonderful tutorial. you're a great teacher! what type of fabric would you recommend for applique? i have lots of linen, but it doesn't seem like this would be suitable.

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

It depends on what kind of linen it is (weight wise). I use 4.7oz and it is a dream. As long as the linen is ironed before applique, it should be good. Cotton works wonderfully as well. Synthetics might be harder.

[@hillaryfelker5583]

Thank you for the helpful tutorial. Your instructions are clear and encouraging. I am wondering if an applique baby quilt is any more or less sturdy, so to speak, than a machine pieced and machine quilted quilt. Do the applique stitches tend to come out?

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

My hand stitched needle turned applique blankets I made for my son when he was a baby have been washed many times and are still holding up perfectly but I did stitched them with extra stitches because I knew they would be washed more often. If you are making a blanket for all day everyday use with a baby, I would consider a standard patchwork quilt if you are worried about it holding up for multiple washes a week. But if you are worried generally about applique stitches coming out, mine have not ever so don't be afraid! Hope that helps! ☺️

[@hillaryfelker5583]

@@stuartmoorestextiles yes, that does help. Thank you 😊

[@christinebensonvos7135]

Thank you ! Excellent tutorial!!!!!

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

You are more than welcome! ☺️

[@AdrianaSD]

Fabulous! Thanks!

[@annettehast1790]

Beautiful work.

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Thank you so much! ☺️🙏

[@elizabethstephen1776]

What is your shop's website address? Your dyed fabrics look beautiful! Loved your tutorial 😀

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Oh thank you so much! www.StuartMooresTextiles.com ☺️

[@nicoleansbacher8882]

At the corner and any spots where you say to snip right up to the fabric, how do you make sure these spots won’t fray when washed? Do you add a dab of seam glue?

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

When you snip up to the line on inverted corners you always put a double stitch in that spot to keep fraying at bay. For corners, even though you are cutting up to the line, you are still tucking the drawn line under your work so there is fabric under your stitching, just not too much to stop bunching. I believe you can add seam glue, just test it first because I know some I have used in the past was visible after drying. Delicate applique handwork should be hand washed but if you need to create something that is going to be washed constantly (like a baby blanket), machine sewing might be better. That being said, I regularly sew appliqued shapes in simple shapes like squares onto my clothing and keep a little extra fabric behind my tucked shapes and they have stayed fray free for 30+ washes. Hope that helps! ☺️

[@marisagomez1288]

You’re really good👏👍

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

You are so kind, thank you! ☺️

[@vickibrain8959]

Very well done. Thanks

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching! ☺️

[@lyndagrant1366]

Super helpful thank you

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Absolutely! ☺️🪡🧵

[@אריתבלישה]

Thank you so much!

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Absolutely!

[@jacintacesp]

Is this possible to do on pockets? Or would this be too difficult to rotate etc?

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

So funny you asked, I just put some applique on my son's patch pockets! It was a bit awkward in parts but over all I don't think it's that difficult at all?

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

*at all!

[@anaborbon5706]

❤❤❤ gracias

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

You are more than welcome ☺️

[@ZezeDurham]

Really helpful!

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

So glad! Happy stitching! ☺️

[@LisaLisa-zl9vu]

Excellent tutorial but I’m still too scared to try!

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Nah, you'll be fine!

[@lubamiller4193]

Confirming…you are sewing with a single cotton thread? Short needle?

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Yes! Single strand of thread, short needle. You don't have to use a short needle, they are just my fave. Thin is important, should be a thin needle.

[@gladtidings4all]

I hate boring solid color fabric I love calicos fabrics

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

This fabric isn't boring, it's naturally dyed with plants, insects, and minerals. I can't think of anything more exciting/interesting than that. 🤔

[@MarySmith-qz4yu]

The background music is very distracting and annoying.

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

So sorry about that, Mary. I try to make these videos to everyone's liking but don't always succeed. If it is helpful, you can turn on the subtitles and turn down the volume and follow along without the music. Hope that helps and hope you can still get something from this video. ☺️

[@MarySmith-qz4yu]

Thanks for that helpful hint. Good video.

[@AfreensCreations]

Thanks for sharing

[@stuartmoorestextiles]

Absolutely! ☺️👍