Bobbin, bobbin who’s got the bobbin

What kind of thread do you use in the bobbin?

I’ll bet you don’t think about it that much, but it can really make a difference in your machine quilting experience.

Superior threads makes something called the Bottom Line. Designed by Libby Lehman for quilting, embroidery, bobbin, binding, and applique. 50 original colors and 5 NEW colors of 60 wt. lint-free polyester.

It is important to use good thread in your bobbin area to get good, clean and even results.

I think it is important to use a thinner weight thread in the bobbin. It does a couple of things to help you with your machine quilting. It keeps the bobbin thread on the back of your quilt because it is a thinner thread, and it makes the quilting lighter.

I always like to match the color of my bobbin thread to the color of my top thread. That way if I have any tension issues the thread colors will be the same.


Recommended Needle to use with The Bottom Line

Topstitch #80/12 or #70/10
This is a high quality thread that works well for machine quilting.

There are three main advantages of a Topstitch needle.
1. The point is sharp, but not razor sharp.  It has a very slightly rounded sharp point with allows the needle point to penetrate without cutting the fibers.  Many needles have a similar point.
2. Wider and deeper groove.  All needles have a groove which runs up the shaft of the needle.  The thread lies in the groove rather than along the outside of the needle.  The groove on Topstitch needles is wider and deeper than most other needle styles. This is beneficial especially for medium, heavy, decorative, and sensitive threads.
3. The favorite feature of the Topstitch needle is the extra large eye. It is twice as large as most other needle styles.  The large eye gives much more room for thread as it moves through the needle and greatly reduces stress on thread.  From the Superior Newsletter.


Next week I am going to feature Aurifil Thread and show you examples of where I have used it in my work, as well as an interview with Alex Veronelli the US rep. for Aurifil. Stay tuned and tell your friends.

Gotta have it! -Thread

What kind of thread do you use?

Do you machine piece and machine quilt your quilts?

I do.

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to be talking about thread and what kinds I use and what kinds some of my fellow quilt friends use.

I have also talked with several thread manufacturers and will share what they have to say with you as well.

The thing about thread is you need to use it and see if you like it. I have a big investment in thread and enjoy using lots of different kinds and colors. Have I said this before, COLOR is a big deal for me, I just LOVE IT.

Superior Thread is a great thread and thread information source.

I use several of their products.

They also offer a terrific newsletter with lots of wonderful information and resources.

This is a tip they shared in their newsletter. They gave permission to share it as long as I mentioned where it came from.

If you are using a top quality thread and the thread is fraying, shredding, breaking, or creating a lot of lint, either the needle is too small or the tension is too tight.  It usually is just that simple.

I used Island Batik fabric to make my pattern Petite Dandelions that was featured in Quilt magazine in 2009. 

I used Superiors Rainbows Trilobal Polyester 40 wt. high-sheen premium trilobal polyester thread with a one-inch color change interval. For embroidery and quilting. 

It is hard to see the quilting in the dark green, but I think you can see color #820 on the inside of the oak leaves, and color #551 in the background behind the Dandelions. 

You can see it tells you want kind of needle to use right on the end of the spool. It was a dream to quilt with.
I use a 50 weight cotton in the bobbin when I use this thread.

How do you know what needle to use for quilting, sewing, embroidering, and piecing?
From the Superior Newsletter

Topstitch style needle for nearly all applications including piecing (#80/12 needle), embroidery (#90/14), quilting (needle size depends on the thread size), general sewing construction/crafting (usually #80/12). 


Top secret revealed: The bestselling brand of home machine needles puts the exact same needle in the Topstitch and Metallic needle package.  It's the same needle.  One needle, two packages = double the sales.  Save your money.  You do not need to buy both.  This explains why we no longer sell metallic needles.  The Topstitch style is the needle preferred by the professionals.


The one thing I know for sure is you don’t want to use OLD thread that you might have picked up at a garage sale. Treat yourself to new improved threads. And put in a new needle, you will be so much happier.
 

Love, Love, Love

All you need is Love.

February is the month of Love.

Do you think that is because there is nothing else going on in the month of February?

Why not make this Valentine wall hanging to brighten up your space.

You can down load a free PDF pattern here. Have fun.
If you want to make it just like mine I have a fabric kit for you - 3 quarter yards of hand dyed fabric for $15. Order Here.

Are you a Dandelion?

Doing something that not everyone understands.

I have long thought that the lowly Dandelion is much maligned as a flower. It is one the prettiest yellow flowers that exist in nature and it’s bloom is so sunny, velvety and bright.

I found this on the internet about Dandelions and if you want to read more about the Dandelion you can here.

Dandelion Overview:

• While many people think of the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as a pesky weed, herbalists consider it a valuable herb that can be used as a food and medicine. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Dandelion leaves are used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots are used in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make wines.
• Traditionally, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and upset stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion has been used to treat stomach problems, appendicitis, and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. In Europe, it was used in remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.
• So far, there have not been any good quality scientific studies on dandelion. Today, the roots are mainly used as an appetite stimulant, and for liver and gallbladder problems. Dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic to help the body get rid of excess fluid.

Plant Description:

• Hundreds of species of dandelion grow in the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Dandelion is a hardy perennial that can grow to a height of nearly 12 inches. Dandelions have deeply notched, toothy, spatula-like leaves that are shiny and hairless. Dandelion stems are capped by bright yellow flowers. The grooved leaves funnel rain to the root.

Dandelion flowers open with the sun in the morning and close in the evening or during gloomy weather, just like ME.

I was still piecing many of my quilts when I made my first fused art quilt  - Dandelions.
Because I used the natural colors of the Dandelion I wanted to use a color behind them that would really make them pop and wow. The purple was a beautiful choice.

Dandelions greet me almost 9 months out of the year when I go into the woods near my home. My little woods is a natural old oak savannah so everything that grows in there grows up out of a bed of old dead oak leaves. Therefore I had to put the Dandelions on a bed of oak leaves. I like the idea that the leaves are not “brown” and dead looking. I feel as if the oak leaves are giving LIFE to the new Dandelion plant that is popping up out of those leaves.

I like to put borders on my quilts. I am influenced in my choices by liking traditional album style quilts. Many of those traditional quilts have flower or leaf borders. My border of oak leaves is just a little more modern.

Dandelions was the first quilt I made into a pattern. Since the original quilt was large at 40” x 50” when I made it into a pattern I called it Petite Dandelions. It seemed appropriate to me at the time.

• This little quilt is made with one yard of my Rainbow stripe fabric.
• You use different sections of the fabric for all the different parts.
• I used the pink to purple part in the middle of the fabric for the background behind the dandelions.
• I used the green end for the border fabric, leaves and stems, and I used all the other colors for the colorful oak leaves in the border.
• And of course I used the bright yellow for the sunny dandelions themselves.

Darling Dandelions is the pattern that is in my book Fun Fast Fusies. I used the wavy decorative blade to make the two tone leaves in the middle of the quilt behind the more abstract looking Dandelion flowers.


Are you a Dandelion? Doing what everyone else thinks is out of place? I like that I am a Dandelion.

Be sure and check out Laura's Nancy's Notions E-book tablet keeper. It is her turn to reveal today.

Today is the last day to receive a free quarter yard of fabric for signing up to follow this blog. Tell all your quilting friends.

Small Autumn Mums - a fused collage class

I just returned from teaching near Grand Rapids MI at the Western Michigan Quilters Guild.

I thought you would like to see a quick tour of one of my fusing classes – Small Autumn Mums.

A quick view of my fused collage class–Small Autumn Mums

Those quilters in Michigan sure do know how to have fun, and we had a fun time making the smaller version of my pattern Autumn Mums. A fused collage quilt.

20% Sale–Last Week

May you always continue to find both the inspiration and the time to create!

For the month of January I am offering 20% of all fabrics, patterns, and notions!!  This is your LAST WEEK of the sale!

What better way to start the new year than buying some special fabric for that new project. Prices haven't been this low since 2007.

Spend a little of that holiday loot on something YOU really want. Luscious luminous hand dyed fabric, books, patterns and notions.

Getting you in Shape to work


Get your studio in shape to be creative this year.
Keep and buy the things you need and clear out the stuff that you don't.
I have been cleaning, organizing and DE cluttering my studio space. If you missed it last week I did a tour of my studio.
A big part of this is letting go and getting rid of as much as I possibly can. It feels good. I have had a few good purging sessions, and what a difference it makes. It feels so nice to have a fresh start for the new year. I am dreaming of what I want my creative space to look and feel like. Change is good, and it is time for some change.

Here are a few ideas to get you started-


- reflect
What it was you did over the past year. I try to journal (not my favorite thing) and look at my goals regularly
Make that list of goals & to dos but be specific about it.

- Define success
What worked for you last year?
What didn't work for you?

- Commit
List four projects that you want to get accomplished
Set a time map for doing these projects. Write them on a calendar or create Pinterest account to guide your vision for creativity for 2012. Work on this over a period of time, say10 days, letting it morph and then develop it into an action plan.

- Go for itDon't wait for inspiration to strike. JUST DO IT!

- Identify and personalize strategies
Schedule regular time in the studio.
Turn off the phone and computer for at least an hour a day so that you can concentrate on your art.

- Create good habits
I look at creating art as my job and I treat it that way.
I keep regular studio hours

- Release what isn’t serving you
This is a hard one, as change takes effort. But if you can identify what isn't working and make a clean break, then do it.

- Set boundaries


ART Quilts - Fusible Collage
This past year Laura Wasilowski and I filmed three new episodes with Nancy Zieman of Sewing With Nancy.

These episodes are now airing, but you can have them right in your own home by owning the DVD.
Along with the TV series is a great new book from Sewing with Nancy called Art Quilts - Fusible Collage which is co-authored by Laura Wasilowksi, Nancy Zieman, and myself. It contains several great projects as well as all of the different collage-style methods of fusing that Laura and I use.

Order the book today. It is a 3 ring binder with laminated pages that you can pull out.

The Best of Quilting Arts
Quilting Arts has come out with a fantastic new book, The Best of Quilting Arts. It celebrates the first 10 groundbreaking years of QUILTING ARTS magazine with a collection of its best articles, projects and techniques including:
• quilt art techniques from fabric collage and appliqué to resist dyeing, stamping, and foiling;
• machine-stitching and thread-painting tips and tutorials from award-winning art quilters;
• ideas and advice for the professional quilt artist;
• an array of binding and stitching techniques to make your art quilt stand out;
• methods for making realistic representational art quilts, including portraits of pets and people.
And, I'm on the cover as one of the cover girls with my quilt Dancing Trees. Such an honor!!



Work Schedule
I am working all over the world again this year. You can see if I am close to you by looking at my web site under schedule. If you are close to any of these places, please stop in and say hello. I always love seeing, meeting and sharing with my quilting companions. Or ask your guild to bring me there to teach or lecture, I love to travel.

My thanks
Thank you for being a loyal customer and friend. I hope you will share this blogpost with your quilting buddies and become a follower on my blog too. It is free and will give you daily tips, techniques, and information that you can use in your quilting adventures. Everyone who signs up for my blog or gets a friend to sign up for it will receive a free 1/4 yard of my gorgeous hand dyed fabric. Just send me your name and address.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 and add a little color and excitement to your daily grind, treat yourself to my 2012 Calendar.

Use it or Lose it

I have three goals for myself as a quilter.

1. I want to someday make a Lone Star Quilt.

I will get there, just not right now. I have thought about the color choices a lot already.
I did do an eight pointed star in a few early quilt design.

This is a pieced quilt called “November, December, January and February. It is 82" x 82"
See that center eight point star and the chevrons that divide the squares, very Lone Star, don’t you think?

2. I want to use up all my fabric before I die. If I don’t use it someone else will. I don’t want all my fabric and quilting equipment to go to the Good Will or for my kids to have a big sale with all my sewing stuff. I want to use that fabric that I dyed or bought. I know I will find other fabric or dye another gorgeous combination that I will love just as much as the stuff that I am “Saving” for something special right now.
USE IT OR LOSE IT

3. I am not sharing my third goal with anyone, not even my DH.