January Thread-Along
Posted by cottonmillthreadworks on Monday, January 17th, 2011
A heavier weight thread really shows off your quilting, outlining, or decorative stitches. It is not a behind-the-scenes blender.
Because this is a polyester thread there is no lint, and it is totally colourfast. A Topstitch 90 needle has a large eye to accommodate Brytes, but if you are having any shredding then switch to a larger Topstitch 100. Having different thread weights on the top and in the bobbin is usually not a problem - we just need to stitch out our samples and make any tension adjustments. But what about using a heavy 30 wt. in the top, and a fine 60 wt. thread like Bottom Line in the bobbin? Some machines are totally happy with this arrangement, but some don't like the big difference in weights. Simply bump up the weight of your bobbin thread to a 50 wt. - So Fine is usually a good choice.
Some threads can be a tad slippery, and may unwind from the spool faster than the machine can handle them. Time for a thread tamer! Handy Nets are mesh "stockings" that fit over the spool or cone of thread and slow down the unwind. They are sold cone sized, but for spools I just cut them into quarters:
Slip them over your spool or cone:
Decorative machine applique is the perfect place for Brytes, but since it's a heavy thread don't always rely on a default setting - audition various settings and keep track of the stitch number, length, and width. A fat thread can't have a short, dense stitch - the stitches will quickly bunch up on each other and cause a traffic jam! So lengthen those decorative stitches because Brytes fills in faster than a fine thread. (And for perfect decorative stitches ALWAYS use a stabilizer on the back of your work.)
My new favourite applique stitch (#113 on the Bernina 440):
It can be an innie or an outie:
A lot of our machines have various blanket stitch pictograms on the menu - but have we actually taken the time to stitch them out to see the differences?
A single blanket stitch (length 2.5/width 2.9):
You can see from the samples that Brytes really adds a definite edge to the applique, and the stitching is a very strong component of the design. I had wanted to do some wool applique by machine, but was unsure of which thread to choose. I initially thought that Brytes would have too much of a "modern" look to it. Although not a high sheen thread, it certainly has more sheen than a cotton. But after making some samples I was pleasantly surprised, and have embarked on yet another project, an applique pattern by Lori Smith.
King Tut used in the blue buds, Brytes everywhere else:
Wool applique is no place for a wimpy, shy-violet kind of thread. (And since you asked, I fused the wool appliques onto starched, cotton fabric.) Because these are only 6" blocks I had to play around with length and width to find a suitable combination. And wow - no shiny, modern look!
If you're with me so far, here's the deal:
SAVE 15% ON ALL 50 COLOURS OF BRYTES IN 275 YD. SPOOLS!
Enter discount code: brytes during checkout. Sale price will appear before you confirm your purchase.
Special pricing in effect until next month's Thread-Along (posted mid-month).
Have you used Brytes in any projects?
I love show & tell! Send a photo to share.
Comments
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Great blog. The photos are great.by Fran on 20 January 2011 at 9:28 p.m.
