Friday, April 25, 2014

Wow! Cut That Really Close!!




Finished the cabling in the row of pieced stars and I really like the way it turned out....


The next area where the yellow/gold variegated thread is to be used is in the 2" wide inner border. This is the stencil I've chosen; the stencil # is MO30 and it's available from the Stencil Company (www.quiltingstencils.com). It's a 1-1/2" width stencil and I use it a lot for narrow borders and sashings.


Looks awesome stitched up....


And another view...

I was stitching that inner border when I noticed that there was very little thread on the spool of cotton that I was using in the top of the machine. I was starting to panic a little as it was the only spool I had and I thought I had a whole 'nother side to stitch! Checked, saw that I was on the last side and crossed my fingers that the thread would last long enough to complete those last feathers. Well, luck was with me this morning -- I finished with 7 inches to spare! Whew! That's cutting it way too close for my nerves to handle!


Next I'm going to stitch the outer border -- this stencil is 4" wide and is #348; not sure of the manufacturer, although I know I have seen something similar on The Stencil Company's website.


I'll be using Mettler Silk Finish 50 wt. (100% cotton) color #790 in the bobbin and Mettler Poly Sheen (100% polyester) color #3600 in the top of the machine. Poly Sheen is a 40 weight thread with a beautiful sheen to it that will look pretty in this border.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Palmdale CA

6 comments:

  1. When I run low on thread, I quilt faster. It seems to help.

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    Replies
    1. I think I found myself doing that, Debby -- and, you're right! -- it worked!

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  2. What do you use to mark your quilting lines? I hadn't thought of using my stencils with my machine.

    Do you have a machine on a frame or just work from the table? (I just found your blog from Quilting Blogs and I haven't read through any of your previous posts so if these are "dumb" questions I apologize.)

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    Replies
    1. Marking quilting lines depends on the color of the fabric and whether or not the quilt is to be washed. I always wash my quilts so generally use the MarkB-Gone water soluble markers in either blue or pink. If the quilt isn't going to be washed, like the patriotic one I'm working on now, I use an air soluble marker. The ones I use are also from Mark-B-Gone.

      For dark fabrics, if using a stencil, I like to use the Ultimate Pounce Pad from Hancy Mfg. It comes with a white powder (look for the one that says that it irons off; it's a better product and is easier to see than the wash-out one). To use this, you just swipe the applicator (looks like a blackboard eraser) over your stencil so that the powder goes through the channels on to your fabric. There are also colored powders, but I only use the white one that irons off.

      My machine sits down in a cabinet that is positioned so that the quilt doesn't fall off on to the floor. If you go to my website and click on "Tips & Tricks" there's a pretty good free tutorial about that.

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  3. Hey, Paula, it's about time that you came and visited us in Nebraska again, don't you think? My mom (Phyllis from the Quilters Cottage) and I were just talking about you the other day! We miss you girlfriend!

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