Thread - Decorative Stitches

By now you all know I love thread! I'm always looking for new ways to use in for my quilting.I'm not bashful about the thread I use. Sometimes I feel like using an easy thread. This example is Aurifil- Cotton 50wt Piecing and Applique. The blue stitching on the right is a regular straight stitch. The stitching on the right is the triple stitch. Sometimes called the lingerie stitch or stretch stitch. It's great because you get three times the thread, no extra work. Same needle, same tension, just push a button and sew! (The orange thread is 30 wt rayon).

Aurifil- Cotton 50wt Piecing and Applique Thread is also used for:

Hand Appliqué,  the 50wt is thin and with all the colors available you can match your shape perfectly.
Machine Appliqué, ideal when a very fine finish is desired. This weight disappears so your fabric is the feature.
Machine Embroidery, use 50wt in the bobbin as well, or your regular bobbin thread – in which case tighten the top tension a little. Use a Microtex 80/12 needle.
Machine piecing, gives a great result with a nice flat seam every time.
Machine (domestic and longarm)quilting, use for very detailed machine quilting with a lot of back tracking such as feathers and heavy background quilting . Perfect for quilting that creates texture when you don’t necessarily want to see the quilting lines. Use the same thread in the bobbin and a Sharp/Microtex, quilting or even denim needles 80/12.

The 270 Colors are available in Small Spools, (220 Yards), Large Spools (1422 Yards), and 6452 Yard Cones.

Quiltmania, a quilt shop

What a wonderful surprise!  This is a fantastic store with a HUGE fabric selection.  From batiks to Asians, children's, blenders and more.  Curb appeal left a lot to be desired but when I walked in, I was so happy! Happy friendly people working were super nice, gave me good suggestion for my next stop.

If you love fabric, don't miss this store!

Quiltmania
1442 Jadwin Ave Suite C
Richland, Washington
(509) 946-7467 

More Scraps

Recently some one gave me a whole box of 4" squares, every fabric sold by Keepsake Quilting was represented in that box. I thrilled to have them but was faced with what to do with them. So over the course of a few days I sorted them into piles. All the novelty prints in one pile, solids or fabric that read as solids in another, you get the idea. With all the pieces cut, it was fast work to finish the I spy type quilt. The next time I baste, I'll baste it, quilt it and give it to community service.

 

Ballard Locks - Time for Music

US Army Corps of Engineers presents the Summer Concert Series at Chittenden Locks
Great music, 2 PM Saturday and Sunday now thru Labor Day  FREE

There are many wonderful things about living in the Seattle area, including the many free summer concerts. One of the best annual series is held weekends at the Chittenden Locks in Ballard.

Built in 1911, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks are known locally as the Ballard Locks. It is a wonderful place to spend a sunny day: exploring the botanical garden, boat watching and visiting the salmon ladder. There are plenty of open spaces perfect for playing games and a perfect place to enjoy a frugal picnic lunch before the concert.

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks / Ballard Locks
3015 N.W. 54th St.
Seattle, WA 98107
206-783-7059

Making Scrap Blocks - Stars

Half square triangles are easy to make, especially if made a few at a time. This tutorial makes eight 2" finished half square triangles.

Two 6" squares fabric right sides together. Draw two lines from point to point.

Sew  1/4" from lines, on both sides of lines.

Cut apart on lines, and in the center both vertically and horizontally.

I press half of the seams to the dark, and half the the light. This makes for easier piecing later on.

Trim to 2 1/2".

Center square starts as a 4 1/2" square, add four 2 1/2" squares to the corners, and sew!

The White Bluffs Quilt Museum

During a recent quick trip to Eastern Washington I stumbled upon The White Bluffs Quilt Museum. A busy place which offers something for everyone interested in any type of fiber! The exhibits on display where signed pieces shown for the local DAR.

The White Bluffs Quilt Museum is a tribute to the North West Pioneers, who brought their quilts west with them to establish this territory. When the going got tough, many things were tossed from the wagons to lighten the load. Quilts however, were never tossed, they were prized for their versatility and usefulness. They were used as tents for shelter, padding on the bumpy ride, warmth during the cold nights and lastly, they were used to wrap the bodies of those buried along the trail.

Grants are being pursued to assist in building and/or acquiring a facility that will serve as a Regional Textile Arts Center for all of Eastern Washington.  
White Bluff's Center
294 Torbett Street
Richland, WA 99354
(509) 943-2552

This scrapbook was made by Wanda Jean Moore Huntington, from Richland WA, taught by her grandmother Emma Jane Rice Cooper, Rockville IL and California

Expert Lois Hallock Quilt Studio Organizer

A successful quilting retreat or class starts long before you leave the house.  Let a Lois Hallock, who is also a quilter, show you how to get ready and stay ready.  Low cost portable ergonomic and organizational solutions will work both at home and away. Great ideas!

I'm at the Longarm quilting

Trains and Fabrics is a great shop in Tacoma Washington. Besides having a large array of fabric to choose, there are two long arm machines available to rent. I'll admit that working with the long arm is not my favorite form of sewing, but, the idea that is I can quilt 4, bed sized, quilts in two days, is very attractive!

There are lots of quilt shops offering long arm machines for rent, try it you might like it!

Auditioning thread choices

Trains and Fabrics

1315 S 23rd St,

Tacoma, WA 98405 · 

(253) 779-0219 

I could quilt more quilts if I wouldn't quilt them quite so much!

My Second Quilt

My second quilt I'm ashamed to say is still in the box. Never got finished, nor am I inclined to finish it. I've said for years that I am going to go and reclaim the fabrics, but I'm probably not going to do that either.

I didn't know much. Even though I sewed clothes for years, it never occurred to me that grain mattered. Nor did it occur to me that a lemoyne star was not a beginners block. I didn't realize that a sheet was not a good choice for the solid fabric. And that inset or 'y' seams would be possible given my skill level.

I marked the pieces using a pen and my cardboard template. And cut the piece with scissors. So needless to say it was a mess. But fortunately for me, I was hooked never less!

What'sYour Quilt Town Name?

Check out this from the Martingale blog. My quilt name is Queen (oh my) Stencil (not so much) Piecer (they got this one right).

A visit to West Sound QUilters

West Sound Quilters is a very busy guild which meets in Port Orchard WA. Besides programs and works shops, they do community service, have many small interest groups, a quilt show and a great show and tell!

President's Quilt presentation

Simone's Cats

How to Make a Hanging Sleeve

Cut the sleeve 9" wide and the size of the top edge.

I  like to make sleeves for all my quilts. Putting a sleeve and a label on when the piece is finished, means it’s ready for anything. This method allows for any size rod, and the quilt still hangs flat on the front.

Press short edges under 1/2" press, fold again and stitch.

Place ruler on fabric, 5" down from one long edge, fold fabric to ruler, and press

Place ruler on fold 1" from edge, and press.

Note: I press these folds with a bit of starch. I want these folds to be sharp!

Stitch two raw edges wrong sides together.

Pin sleeve on the back of the quilt 1" from the top, and stitch in place.

The resulting sleeve allows for a large or small rod.

Antique Shopping

I've never been to Tulsa before, what a fun place! Great people (Thanks Denise), fun antique shopping. We spent a lovely few hours shopping in Denise's favorite district.

Fortunately for me, I found a great necklace at a really great price!