Appliqueing the blues
Posted by cottonmillthreadworks on Thursday, June 16th, 2011
Now that my time at home is quickly dwindling I am determined to finish these blocks! Since I used blue fabrics which is not usual for me, I thought I'd use a stitch that is unusual for me - satin stitch. Check your machine - mine has a dedicated satin stitch setting. And don't skip making samples - this is where you can audition your threads and determine the best stitch length and width. It's also the place where any tension issues can be easily solved prior to working on "the real thing".
After trying out various threads I opted for Brytes (soon to be renamed as So Fine #30). I like the heavier look of this 30-weight polyester and the nice fill-in. My bobbin thread was So Fine #50.
When doing any kind of decorative stitching you need to use a stabilizer for well-formed stitches, otherwise you get what is known as "tunneling". Here I've used Ricky Tim's Stable Stuff, which tears away easily later. If any small bits are left they will dissolve when washed:
That funny looking lens in front of my work? Why, the better to see you with my dear! The clever people at Bernina realize that our sight is certainly not what it used to be, and have designed a nifty set of magnifiers that can be attached when needed. I am using the weakest one for now - and plan to grow into the stronger ones later!
When starting and stopping decorative stitches I have finally come to the conclusion that tying-off is the best method. Yes, it's a bit tedious, but the results are well-worth it. Can you tell where the stitches begin and end?
Just a few more blocks to go before heading out to set up at the Pine Tree QG show in Bracebridge. If you're in the Muskokas and need a break from the cottage check out the details here.
Categories:
Comments
- No one has commented yet.
