Fun with Thread play, playing with applique techniques. Threads are so beautiful, a rainbow of colors to choose from, I love the way they embellish my applique. I have never had much success with fusible applique. The paper always comes away from the sticky part and I personally don't like it left in my quilt, even if I cut the center out, so........ I have been playing with possibilities. Loving what I have found by playing with different products and love love love the look of the extra dimension thread can give to my applique. Don't worry I still love turned edge applique haha, but sometimes it's just so much fun to play with the sewing machine and beautiful threads.
Choosing the right thread ! Decisions decisions................... Cotton, Polyester, etc etc What weight ? I usually choose what I have on hand............ I am not stuck on using only cotton threads on a cotton quilt. I usually find that the weight depends on the look I want to achieve and how dense my quilting is going to be. I ALWAYS stitch in the ditch around my applique shapes, every applique shape to define each piece. I use the finest thread I have for this and that's usually a polyester or silk. Silk is expensive so I try to keep that for best haha did your Mum tell you that too save the best for special occasions. By that I mean quilting that will show, like beautiful feathers etc. With the applique on this quilt I tried a washaway stabilizer instead of the usual steam a seam, This stabilizer can be ironed onto the back on your fabric just like freezer paper, it washes out almost completely leaving a fine mesh that adds another dimension to your applique piece and is very soft. You can also use this to stabilizer the fabric while using decorative stitches. Worked a treat ! I used a 40 weight cotton thread ( King Tut mostly ) for both the Sateen Stitch and Blanket Stitch.
More fun bringing this little quilt to life with some quilting. Thinking of a name for this little quilt, Got any ideas ?
I’m having trouble loading all your photos this morning (have refreshed a couple of times) but I’m with you regarding the applique – the outlining really makes such a difference. Nice to hear how you choose your threads – I’m building up such a varied colllection and usually choose by colour and weight rather than type or brand.
Hi Leeanne
I like that it brings the applique to life when each piece is defined. I have had so much fun with this quilt.
Hi Linda
Thanks ! Such fun playing around with all the lovely threads.
Pretty. I always quilt around applique’s too, unless my customer asks me not to. There are so many beautiful threads to choose from……….good luck!
Hi Raewyn
Sorry to hear you are having trouble, I always make my photos samller in size and save as for web. I am still learning all this computer tech so maybe there is something I still need to do to them. I agree I choose my thread by colour and weight also. What is in my collection usually dictates to what I choose.
How to press a Flying Geese Border ? This is the question I was asked so I have done my best to answer as it is not exactly what you might be expecting to see. Read more to see how I pressed the seams to get nice flat intersections.
Making four Flying Geese units at a time is a great time saver, and a wonderful method. I love to oversize the units and trim them down to the correct size for perfect blocks. Read how I go about making these versatile units that I use in almost every quilt I make.
linda
August 03, 2016
Looks really good with those threads. :)