I'm working very hard to get some UFOs finished this year and especially the first three months of the year. I'm moving right along on that effort...just finished quilting both a table topper and a lap sized quilt and sandwiching a baby quilt and a crib quilt. Wow - yea me!! Since the table topper was really just a practice piece for some free motion quilting I can't say too much about it - I threw it on a table to show you but I haven't laundered it yet so it will be better later, but I did an awful job on the two fmq patterns I tried. That's okay because it's a UFO completed and because it taught me some patterns I don't want to try on anything else!
The frustration came when I started quilting the lap sized jelly roll quilt. It wasn't the quilt that was the culprit, and it wasn't the pattern I used. I actually think I did pretty good with the loops for the first time ever doing that, although I'm not sure I'll ever get even stitches. I think I quilt the same way I drive - way too fast for doing a good job. :) It was the thread! I found this thread somewhere in the last few months on sale and though it would be great. I love the color but the thread, not so much.
Normally I use a much lighter weight thread but the color drew me in, lured me to try it. By the time I figured out I shouldn't have used it I had quilted too much for me to be willing to take it out. There was so much lint that I had to stop and clean out my machine 5 times while I was quilting...and this was just a lap sized quilt! Because this was a heavier weight thread it didn't take much to fill a bobbin and I used 12 bobbins of thread on it...and this was just a lap sized quilt! Did I say that already...this was just a lap sized quilt? :) It did turn out nicely though for an we're-gonna-love-snuggling-under-this quilt. I've already laundered it and it's ready to throw over the back of the couch.
If you're a member of the quilt police please turn your head. :)
The quilting isn't too bad for a first time doing loops...
Now the most important question. What in the world can I do with the rest of that thread? There's a lot left on that spool!
32 comments:
How frustrating! It sounds like it would be a good thread for a longarmer with the larger bobbins and easier access to clean out the bobbin compartment. The color is beautiful.
I think you did a great job on the loop quilting. They always say that the secret is the three Ps - practice, practice, practice.
I read on someone elses blog they said it was like playing an instrument (that hits home for me I play) you cannot sit down at a piano and just play it right off! It takes practice! you start with mary had a little lamb and work on from there! I am new to quilting and I take these words to heart! I cannot expect to be a pro from word one! I think you did a great job! I will fight the police off for you if you need! LOL keep up the great work!!!
Been there - done that! I purchased a varigated purple thread with the same problem and I now use it for hand basting while I sandwich the 3 layers together. Despite the fact it's used for only a short period of time.....I'm still using it vs. throwing immediately.
Been there/done that. I had the same problem with varigated purple thread and I now use it to hand baste the 3 layers together on all my quilts. Because it's a large cone it will be yrs. before I use all, but it makes me feel better than throwing it away.
Keep on quilting, Phyllis
Oh...your quilting is just wonderful. Sorry about your thread, it is frustrating to get involved in a project to find you can't turn back....
I love your loop-t-loops!! Very nice!
P
I am a beginner at FMQ having done a zillion patches and 3 small quilts. I haven't tried YLI and now I won't! However YLI is my favorite hand quilting thread. I wonder if it would work for hand quilting. Although frustrating, your quilt looks great! - Jeanne
I love the color ... and your stitching ... too!! It looks wonderful (even though it was frustrating to quilt). I've made a note of the brand, for future reference!! :)
Good for you for learning how to FMQ - I personally think what you did was wonderful - I do not FMQ and there is a reason for that. Maybe you could use the thread for top stitching - it certainly is a good color. Judy C
I LOVE that quilting! It's beautiful, and you will enjoy it. Glad the outcome was good.
I have quilt tops sitting here, waiting for me to get brave enough to FMQ them. Your loops are fine. I may just have to pick a small top that I don't really care for, and just loop away......Not with that thread, however!
Those are so pretty! My goodness!
Quilt police would have to escort you to the front of the line with those beauties!
Ya to get some UFO's done. You are my new hero!
Now I like YLI thread, use a different bobbin thread with it as it is a little heavier. You could use it for hand quilting - a basting thread, or even for piecing up a 'draft' test.
I've just recently started following your blog, and am not sure how much you've read about thread and such. I know there are many threads out there that do not work well for machine quilting for the reasons you listed. I also know that many threads behave poorly if you do not have a needle that "matches" their size. When using a larger gauge thread it helps to use a larger needle. Shreading and linting can be caused by having a too small eye on the needle. I think Superior Thread has lots of info on this subject on their website, as do many other companies.
My Husky doesn't care what thread or combo I use. My Bernina on the other hand seems to be quite picky, but we're still in the "Honeymoon" phase of our relationship, lol. You know, Love this HATE that, still a lot to get use too.
Oh, and I like your loops! Good for you on the finish. Nice start to the new year :o)
I've had the same problem with King Tut thread. It's good thread, and it's so pretty, but my machine Fiona does NOT like it! I not use it for basting hexies and making yoyo's.
I think it looks very nice!!!
Your quilting looks great! It seems you are a natural at FMQ.
I think your quilting looks great myself! Also, try using a topstitch needle when quilting. The bigger eye may help.
I used the YLI white on my first go at frame quilting and it kept breaking needles, linting up and breaking thread... This is on the Brother P1500 high speed machine...
My Janome mc10000 loves it though
yet the brother prefers Aurifil I've now decided and the Janome isn't keen on the 40wt Aurifil for quilting but likes the 50wt for piecing...
It's all a bit frustrating, I can leave the same thread on the machine, in the frame, same needle, get sewing and it does nothing but break thread...then I realise I've knocked the frame with my foot as i'm moving along, think it is practice :(
I think your quilting is beautiful! You did a great job.
I have some threads that just don't work for me, too. Right now I just leave them sitting on the thread rack and kick myself when I see them.
You're doing wonderfully on your UFO's.
Have a wonderful 2012!
Not many people would agree with me, but you could use the thread to piece with. I use serger thread to piece with...always have. (I can already hear people yelling and groaning), but I do.
I was going to suggest using a topstitch needle as well. They have a bigger eye, and are made for multi-directional quilting. If you can't find a topstitch needle, use a metallic needle with a bigger eye. That might help you.
Your quilt looks wonderful!....and comfy!
How frustrating for you. That is a lot of lint.
use the thread for basting or something like that.
Marlene, your comparison of your driving to your quilting gave me a much needed chuckle this evening!! I think you're doing a great FMQ job! I keep putting off getting started. FMQ and paper piecing have me held hostage. I am scared to death of both and keep postponing jumping into the fray.
Love ya my friend
Jane
I don't know anything about machine quilting but I know how frustrating it is to have thread that doesn't work the way you expect. Looks like you got some good advice to try. I use any thread that doesn't meet my standard for basting as well.
I think it turned out fabulous regardless Marlene. Can you believe I still have not quilted my lap quilt. It's all tacked together but I haven't been able to sort out my machine yet. Oh well... I guess it is a UFO, lol
I bought several spools of YLI a couple of years ago thinking it was a great idea to use for machine quilting. Alas, my ancient Bernina hates it. So I use it for basting and hand quilting. It probably works best on longarms. Unfortunately I have only red , dark green & black. I don't use those colors often to hand quilt.
Good for you for persevering through the pain of FMQing unlikeable patterns and poor thread! You did very well, and have certainly moved up a step in your knowledge and ability. I would offer the thread to a longarm quilter, as I'm pretty sure that's what it was a meant for. Keep up the excellent stick-to-it-ive-ness!
What to do with the tread, compost it! It was not a good fit for your sewing..... how many fat quarters do you have on the shelf that fit that label.... way more than thread...it is ok to get it out of your life...
In the kitchen, bread gets moldy, lettuce wilts, and meat goes bad... not often but it does happen and you move it out...
Now with all that said, have to admit I like the idea of basting quilts with it... baste three quilts with it and then GET RID of it.... trash or compost your choice.
Good job with the loops, I say great job for first time. Don't get discouraged. I really like to get my thread from connectingthreads.com It is a nice quality and a NICE price. I even buy the BIG spools of the colors I use most. But even the smaller spools would get a job this size done. Quilting can be very stressful, can't it?
You did a great job for your first time. I would donate that thread to someone. I'll bet a longarm quilter could use it.
I missed this one....I'm not a member of the quilt police and it looks pretty darn good to me! I have been thinking I should hie me to our local quilt shop to take some classes. It gets awfully expensive sending quilts out for quilting!
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