It’s time for another giveaway! As with all of the giveaways I’m hosting during my Abacus Quilt Along, you do not have to follow along to participate in the giveaway. Everyone is welcome to comment and enter for a chance to win.
Beautiful Aurifil threads I used in my version of Abacus.
Up for grabs this week: A bundle of beautiful 50 weight Aurifil cotton threads! One lucky winner will receive 8 small spools of the same exact colors I used for the machine applique on Abacus; plus a large spool of the same grey I used for the machine quilting.
Click here for a listing of the exact colors of threads and fabrics I chose.
Machine quilting is my favorite part of making any quilt – it’s quick, easy, and fun!
To enter, simply leave a comment letting me know what you think about machine applique! Do you love it or hate it? Or are you somewhere in between? You can also mention your favorite method of applique if you like. 🙂
Good luck!

I am just getting started with machine applique. I love all of the designs and how machine applique can change the quilt.
I want to learn and I’m taking a class from Philippa Naylor next month. So maybe soon I can say “I love it”!!
I rarely hand appliqué because I get better and faster results with machine applique. Leaves more time for making other projects & finishing current ones.
I love doing machine applique.
I only machine appliqué. If something can’t be done on my machine, it ain’t getting done.
I enjoy hand sewing. Lovely way to relax in the evening in front of the tv.
I am fairly new to applique of any kind, but I love the look so I’m going to try it and have some fun. I like hand work, at times, as it can be relaxing and peaceful. But at other times it drives me nuts, as I need to see something get done. Machine work definitely has me with the speed factor.
I like both types. Machine is great- when the machine and I are in sync.
I have done a little machine applique – When I am not rushed it is neat to see the end project.
I prefer machine applique, I’m not a big fan of hand work..
I love Machine appliqué it can take something plain & make it so special
I don’t do hand appliqué as i struggle with my hands so machine allows me to still be able to do it
Hugs Janice
I have tried many ways to applique and was not happy with it. I saw some applique recently and the woman told me that she uses washable glue to hold the pieces down and does not use a stabilizer. I thought that was a very good idea and now I am ready to try that. I do like to hand applique while watching TV even though I do seem to get my share of pin pricks.
I’ve enjoyed doing several different types of machine appliqué, though I’m not really crazy about the raw-edge style; just my personal preference. I think I prefer the look of invisible appliqué, but I’ve tried several different kinds. As for Aurifil thread, that’s my go-to for most machine work! 🙂
I like both hand and machine applique. They each have a special quality that sets them apart. Of course machine is much faster, which is cool, but hand is relaxing and looks beautiful too. Thanks for the chance to win!
I like applique, but have to be in the zone for it.:)
I do like machine appliqué (if my sewing machine behaves !). Reverse appliqué is tricky, I’m still trying to get the hang of it.
Hi Christa, Thank you for the chance to win Aurifil 50wt Cotton Threads giveaway That is so generous of you. My inexperience w/applique shies me away from it and I like it , have only appliqued a decal or patched piece to shirts, bibs and a mini wall hanging. I love the tips on the Abacus Quilt Along ref the fusing and cutting. That should make it so easy for me…and I’m looking forward to your Oct 1st tutorial:)
I love machine applique. I was very lucky to take a class with Kim Diehl several years ago and ever since I have been hooked on using her freezer paper method. My favorite quilts have machine applique , hand embroidery and piecing. But my favorite phase of the process is the FMQ.
Just getting into machine appliqué but thinking I am going to love it. Have not used this thread and am excited to hopefully get to try it. I do machine quilt and love that.
I like machine appliqué if the edges are smooth – not a big fan when the edges are left raw.
I find machine appliqué a bit like learning to color in the lines…once you get it, it’s mesmerizing! Would love to win the Aurifil thread…I’m a new convert to it since I learned English Paper Piecing. The thread makes the sewing of hexagons so easy.
For me machine applique is my favorite. It is neat and it goes quickly. Especially using the paper backed fusible web.
I love machine appliqué. I am not a huge fan of hand-sewing, so I avoid it at all costs. : )
I love machine applique, but Istruggle with it. I am currently making the 2014 Quilt Doodle Designs BOM which has some applique in it. I have been using Wunder Under and using the Blanket Stitch on the machine to tack it down. I hold my breath when I stitch around curves. I would like to try the applique technique of stitching iron on interfacing onto fabric, turning the fabric and appliquing. Thank you for the chance to win such beautiful threads ( my favorite colors!).
I tried machine appliqué and decided it would be difficult to do on anything larger than a table runner size piece. I wasn’t good at maneuvering the fabric around.
I enjoy machine applique. But, I also like hand applique. Haven’t decided which I like better. But, then I guess I don’t have to choose. They both are fun and produce wonderful results.
I have yet to try machine quilting. Just haven’t had the courage.
beautiful colors!
I’ve never tried it! I do like hand applique though.
Love it! MY very first quilt was a king size with seasonal monthly blocks that were machine appliqued. Some had tiny, tiny pieces! Now I love making machine appliqued minis – one of my favorite things to sew.
I love machine applique especially now that I have a machine with a blanket stitch.
I’m desperately bad at machine quilting, but that’s ok. I’m a beginner and I know I must put in my time 🙂
I adore applique. Have done it on a machine and liked that, but now I’m finding that I really LOVE hand sewing the pieces — could do it all day!
I’m new to machine applique, but ready to give it a try!
I just did my first quilt with raw edge machine applique–I wasn’t really expecting to like it, but I ended up thinking it was great!
I love machine applique. It’s really what drew me to sewing originally-making my own pictures on fabric! I like the look of the smooth satin stitch around each piece. I’m not a handwork kind of gal either.
I recently bought two books on appliqué although I haven’t made anything from them yet. So far, I have only machine appliquéd a small pillow project. I don’t even know what you call the technique I used but it was fun. A little tedious because I had to go so slow but I enjoyed it. Thanks!
I love machine applique as well. I recently did a circle quilt, too. Sweet!
I feel like I could love machine applique if I would just practice it more…
Of all the things my machine does, blanket stitch is not one of them and I am not the great at using other stitches but that being said with all the beautiful thread I might give it another try.
I have only done it once, but really liked it. Hope to do more in the future. Thanks for the chance to win!
I like it, so I guess I am in between. I machine peice and quilt so I need something to do in front of the tv!
I have a love/hate relationship with machine applique. I love it when the project is finished, but the journey to get there, not so much. The abacus quilt speaks to me, maybe I will love it when this project is finished.
I love doing machine applique! Our sewing machines these days have so many lovely stitches to play with and add to our quilting.
I love doing it occasionally. Applique causes issues with my FMQ foot–catches it and makes the stitches go all crazy.
I’m a beginner quilter and my local Janome dealer had an appliqué class for free if you bought your machine there. Well, the class was challenging, but I can see where practice makes perfect, so I will be practicing!
Can’t wat to get started. I ordered my circle die, yesterday.
I haven’t tried machine applique. But it is on my to do list.
I like to machine applique. It sometimes causes me to get a little flustered but I’m still working at it and it’s getting easier!
I love machine appliqué and seem to lean towards the blanket stitch. Can’t do much holding a needle but machine does a great job.
I like machine applique. In general I prefer pieced designs though.
Love it! Especially since I learned to use the knee lift on my machine.