Many contemporary quilters are attempting to utilize glitzy,
exotic threads in their work. Safely nested in their display cases, these threads
are more tempting than an apple in Eden. Yours truly has been known to buy several
dozen spools of it at one time. Talk about gluttony! But when one partakes of this
enticing fruit by actually using it in a sewing machine they feel as if the broken
threads, broken needles, and the tangled mess is God's punishment for having been
lured to use the sparkly, sleazy threads in the first place.
Rarely do I use thread as a surface design treatment
(embroidery) prior to quilting. I will let someone else lead you down that path.
However, most of my quilting is done by machine and the actual quilting thread becomes
a more significant design element in my work - especially when I use contrasting
color thread or the decorative threads. I, like many, was tempted to try these
fascinating threads. I wanted to see their effect in machine quilting. While
the idea was a good one, I encountered many problems and experienced more frustration
than I needed in order to maintain my sanity while quilting.
A specialty thread store clerk suggested that I try loading
the threads in my bobbin and a standard thread in the top and quilt from the back.
Voila! It worked, and worked very well. I was amazed because I could even use
really heavy threads that are too thick to go through the mechanism of the machine.
They easily passed through the bobbin. Furthermore, if I use a contrasting thread
in the top, the end result is a magnificent beaded effect. For me, I find the
technique fun and effective, without the grief. Below are a few tips.
Adjusting Bobbin Tension:
The decorative threads, especially heavier ones, will require that the bobbin
tension is looser than normal. I only own one bobbin casing and adjust the
tension screw as needed. I always test the tension on a small test quilt sandwich,
never on the actual quilt, until I am satisfied with the results of the tension.
If you are leery about adjusting your bobbin tension, then I suggest purchasing
an additional casing just for this purpose.
Creative Ways Of Marking The Quilt:
- Using your regular threads, quilt from the top, in the ditch or outlining
large areas that you can later fill in with the bobbin quilting.
- Use the water-soluble thread to outline the areas on the front, and then
quilt from the back. The water-soluble thread will dissolve with a good steam
pressing or spritzing.
- Quilt freeform from the back, ignoring the design on the front - sometimes
the counterpoint of the two designs is very effective.
Experiment - Enjoy!
©2003 RickyTims
www.rickytims.com
Ricky Tims: "It's not a fabric stash, but a fabric collection and historical document
meant to be preserved." March, 2003, Clemson, SC
"You can see Ricky Tims' new Convergence line of fabric by FreeSpirit
Fabrics at your local quilt shop."
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