Working on finishing my 'Block Quilt'.
This is a new pattern for my
Etsy shop. Will have the write up done in the next couple of weeks. Basically I constructed this one to again try an edge to edge design on my sitdown longarm. So once basted and secured around the edges, I was looking for a design.
First though I did some serious thread testing. I have got this variegated Superior Fantastico (40wt) thread and for the life of me I was going to use this on this quilt. Had some problems with this thread in the past and was determined to work out what this thread needed in the bobbin.
This is what that looked like...did little samples for days!
Problem also was that I have a purple backing...duh, did not think about thread colour when putting this together. Usually people use Bottom Line in the bobbin for Fantastico thread. I have some Bottom Line spools and one cone, but unfortunately all in white to beige tones, so this was not going to be an option. Had read somewhere that it is good to pair a more grippy thread in the bobbin with polyester on top. Tried a purple Rasant thread but somehow I had some fuzzy stitching on the back. Not necessarily bad tension but some fuzzy stitches (as if the needle was damaging the fabric). Next I fiddled with Aurifil 50/2 in a grey colour...that could work but still had some fuzzy stitching here and there. Tried So fine thread and that worked very well. The strange fuzziness on the back disappeared mostly, however only had that in a sort of tan colour. In the end, I ended up using the grey Aurifil colour and with some fine tuning, including going to a different needle, got the tension not perfect but way better than in previous attempts.
In the end I chose the same edge to edge design that I did about two months ago...Daisy Dotz#2 from Urban Elementz. Just love that one and thought it would be a good exercise to do it again (anyway that was my excuse).
Starting off...
I am using Golden Threads paper...drew the design with a blue water erasable pen on it and attached it with sticky glue dots which you can get in a stationary shop. That works like a treat. The glue dots adhere very easily to the paper and you can just stick this on your fabric. No residue...they pull off easily as you pull off the paper. Will also try to pre-stitch this design to make multiple copies in one hit as was suggested by a reader when I did this last time, as the tracing does get tedious as you go along.
Absolutely love doing this
The design is not too arduous in terms off getting the paper bits off and looks great. Wondering whether this might be a bit much in terms of looking a tad busy as this is not exactly a calming quilt. However, now I am committed and will just run with it. Remembered that I was thinking exactly the same when I did this design on another quilt.
Your quilting design is terrific! I've not been able to remove the paper when I tried that technique. I'm glad it is working well for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat about tracing the design right onto your quilt top with a lightbox before layering and basting it? Or, if you were going to pre-stitch through multiple layers of paper anyway, why not try that Pounce Chalk stuff swiped across the stitched paper to mark the design on your quilt for stitching? The vibration of my APQS long arm bounced the chalk right off my fabric when I tried it on the frame, but I felt like the Berninas ran much smoother when i test drove them. I'd be curious to see how that worked for you. And I love that you're experimenting with this on your sit down machine. Edge to edge designs can be perfect for so many different kinds of quilts.
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