Stabilizer for Machine Appique?

What's the best stabilizer to use for machine applique? I'm making a quilt that has 11-inch blocks and I need to stabilize pretty much the whole block. I'm need to make at least 48 blocks, so as cheap as possible would be good, too. Thanks!

I really like sulky tear away or wash away stabilizer for the back of the block...you can buy it by the yard and when it's on sale, it isn't that bad of a purchase...now are you using any fusible web as well for your applique?

I'm using Heat and Bond Lite to fuse the piece to the block. before applique.

There's a few important points re. stabilizers....always use tear-away on woven fabrics, and use cut-away on knits. 

If you are sewing on a fabric with a pile (like velvet, velour, terry, or fleece)you should always use a water soluble stabilizer on the top surface of the fabric.  A great brand is AquaMagic...it looks like a drier sheet, prevents the stitches from sinking into the fabric, and melts like cotton candy when it is sprayed with water.

The last point is to use a suitable weight of stabilizer. 

HTH!

Dru 

Copier paper is probably the cheapest.  You may need to use 11" x 17" paper, but a ream of that is probably going to run you about $15 -- way less than enough stabilizer for 48 blocks. (And you'll have hundreds of sheets left over for more applique or to make a string quilt.)

Just stick the paper under the block while you're sewing on the applique and tear it away when you're done.  I've found that it's actually a lot easier to remove than tear-away stabilizer.

elizabeth...

your comment is interesting. does the paper stay with the block easily? do you use any different kind of needle w/the paper/fabric combo?

Oh nice, plain regular copy paper? I'm planning on making a string quilt too before the end of the year so that sounds appealing. Will it shift much though? Or is it ok to pin it to the block?

My last 'string quilt' was sewn on pages from an old phone book.  Once sewn, I squared up my block and then gently tore away the paper.  Use a small stitch when sewing on tear-away stabilizer and it will come off much easier.

I have never used these pages when I sew an applique onto woven or stretch clothes- I tend to use the other stabilizers mentioned above.

Because copier paper is so rigid, you really don't need to pin it at all.  As long as you use a piece that's the same size as your block, you shouldn't have any problems with it shifting away from your applique.  (Besides, as soon as you start stitching, the paper will be attached.)

If you're using at least an 80/12 needle, and all the fabric involved is regular quilter's cotton, I wouldn't worry about a special needle size.  I would start with a new one though and replace it immediately after, as the paper will dull your needle quickly.  

As for a small stitch: Yes, if you're making a string quilt or sewing with a straight stitch, a tiny stitch is the way to go.  Assuming you're using a satin or buttonhole stitch for your applique, that is probably going to be enough perforation, even at your standard stitch length settings.

Good luck!

What about needle type? I typically use a sharp needle for most of my sewing...would it be better to use a universal needle in this case?

I prefer Sharp needles too.  I think the only reason to downgrade to a Universal needle for this project would be to save a couple of dollars.

I use plain notebook paper or copier paper and make sure its large enough to fit the block - like Elizabeth said.  It is super easy and it basically allows you to turn corners, curves and manipulate the fabric with a LOT more ease than anything else.  I satin stitch applique almost every day and this is what I do.  No pinning, either.  After the first few stitches, it will stay in place and just tear it away when you're finished.

Also, I use Heat n Bond Lite to adhere my applique piece to the fabric prior to stitching.  Looks cleaner.

So basically, when you are stitching, everything is layered like this:

Applique piece
Heat n Bond Lite adhesive
Main fabric
Notebook paper or copier papere

Thanks so much for the help everyone I'm gonna try the copy paper route...I'll grab a couple messed up copies from the machine here at work to give it a try before I commit to a whole ream.