Fun with Thread play, playing with applique techniques.
November 14, 2016
6 Comments
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 ?
The Pattern for the Flower Cross Quilt is available
here.
Happy Stitching
Sharon
6 Responses
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linda
August 03, 2016
Looks really good with those threads. :)