Sew right on up to the point. You can take a second anchoring stitch here but I don't bother unless it's a really skinny point.
Then trim off the little dog ear, you don't need that extra bulk.
Grab both layers of the seam allowance with the tip of your needle and sweep it under the point, making sure it's all lying nice and flat. As a side note, if it's a skinny point, I skip this part and use the toothpick method below.
Give the thread a little tug to bring the point out. Now, take a round toothpick, give one end a little lick, lay it against the seam allowance and drag the toothpick straight back. Don't try sweeping the seam allowance under, but pull straight back.
Is enough turned under for a stitch? Nope, so sweep it straight back again with the toothpick, tug the thread to bring out the point again and take a stitch.
Once the first stitch is in, start turning under the seam allowance with your needle and continue stitching. Sometimes there is a little bump by your first stitch, I just poke it down with the toothpick so that the edge of the leaf is nice and straight (no little bump this time so I couldn't show you).
Ta Da, a nice pointy leaf.
Now, I don't always end up with perfect points and sometimes I'll attempt it again to fix it but mostly I don't bother.
This one's for you Barb :0)
Crispy - P.S. Sorry the photos are a little dark but I took the pictures last night and the using the flash made them too light.
28 Comments:
Thanks for the mini-tutorial Crispy! The close up pics really help too.
I thought the pics were fine and it's a great little tutorial! Your stitching is so perfect. I still remember that fine hand-stitching you did on the blocks for Emma's Hope quilt. :-)
The perfect point! A wonderful tutorial. I use a toothpick to turn everything.
Thanks Crispy! And with all the fantastic tools we have, we still use toothpick .... lol...
Great tutorial, Crispy. I think the pictures are great -- not too dark at all.
Thank you Chris, your point looks perfect. This will help in my attempt to hand sew my new project. My friend cuts the fabric at the point fairly close and then puts fabric glue on the toothpick to hold it in place. She says she will never wash her hand applique pieces, but I will have to wash mine someday when it gets dusty. If I were to cut it that close I'd be afraid it would come apart.
That was totally awesome...totally....thanks so much...you did a wonderful job....
Think I'll go make a super pointy leaf right now! What a sage! Thanks a heap!
This makes me wanna applique a leaf! Great toot Crispy.
You are very good at this!!! I use the end of a bamboo skewer to turn the leaves and curves - simply because I don't have a toothpick.
Great tutorial, great pictures! And you always choose just the right words to make your instructions perfectly clear. Good job, Crispy :)
Linda
Crispy the tut is really a good one. Ppoints are difficult and the up and close pics are a good thing to see. Chris
I can't talk and chew gum at the same time. It should read point not ppoint
Bravo, you did a great job of explaning it and the photos are very clear. Love my toothpicks!
All I can say is WOW!
Thanks for showing this. Needle turn applique is something I can't seem to master...but I love the look of it.
Thank you for the tutorial and great photos. I haven't seen a toothpick used before.
Thanks, Crispy..great job! I'm definitely a toothpick user!
great job on the tutorial
one additional thing I do is after I cut off the dog ear I take my scissors and trim the seam allowance of the side I just appliqued to about 1/8"th of an inch reallllllyyyy little
it really reduces the bulk in the point
Kathie
Beautifully Done!
Don't you wish all points came out so perfectly!
Barb
Go ahead and toot anytime, Crispy. I appreciate all that you share. You're such a talent!
Great tutorial. I just love a toothpick. Best tool ever.
That was excellent! Nothing wrong with the pics either, you're too hard on yourself. I'm going to be looking at the needle turn tutorial tomorrow!
Up close and personal, your work is so precise. a great tutorial.
When you put "toot" on the page, I thought of something else! that's another story!
very impressive tutorials love your editorial as well
Hi Chris,
I'm a new follower of your blog and a beginner appliquer. Thanks for the tutorial! I always hate the way my leaves come out. Now I can try again. :)
eileenkny
I felt as though I were sitting right there next to you getting a birdseye view....thank you!!
Lovely photos...thanks! Now I understand!
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