Types of Piecing

CarrieP · 02-01-2010, 06:49 PM

I noticed that some people weren't sure about different types of piecing, so I thought it would be fun to list a few and get some content on the quilting forum. This is by no means an exhaustive list. I'm a novice, but I do love trying new things.

Of course, the two basic types of piecing are machine piecing and hand piecing. All the other types fall under these categories.

Machine Piecing using a machine to sew your pieces together

--Chain piecing--Not stopping after each unit you piece--making a big chain with all your units that you will snip apart after you finish. Basically doing an assemtly line

--Strip Piecing--sewing together long strips that will then be cut into units to form different types of blocks. This is a quick piecing method that can be used in a lot of different ways. I strip piece whenever possible--makes things so much faster! I can finish a baby top in a couple of hours using this method..

--Paper piecing--You print a pattern on a piece of paper (loose leaf paper works really well). You sew directly on the paper, so your points turn out perfect every time. This is a very time consuming, fussy method but well worth it when you are looking for perfection. It is hard to explain--my suggestion is you just jump in and try it with a simple pattern and you'll see that is is much easier than it looks.

--Machine applique--I've never been able to master this method so can't really explain it well. Hopefully someone else can!

Hand Piecing--Again, a big category with lots of small categories. I am not fond of hand piecing.

--Applique--Sewing precut shapes onto a solid piece of fabric. I personally like to use freezer paper, toothpicks glue to make my shapes. I am really bad at this!

--Reverse applique--The only type of hand sewing I enjoy. You cut shapes out of a solid piece of fabric, then overlay it on another solid piece of fabric. Again, I like freezer paper, toothpicks and glue.

Other types of applique that I've heard of but have never tried are needle turn applique and back basting.

Who has a favorite method to add?

Quilt2much · 02-07-2010, 03:54 PM

Who has a favorite method to add?

Machine applique ala Sharon Malec. She uses freezer paper and a glue stick.

For many years I only did traditional patchwork piecing. I always dreamed of getting into art quilts but knew I didn't have the skills or patience for hand work. Then I saw Sharon Malec's method of applique on Simply Quilts. She may have not changed my life, but she sure changed how I quilt. My avatar is a small quilt I did of our dog based on her method.