Next wall quilt to be done

[Renata L.]

Jan, if you go to the Forum under Board index ‹ HELP ME LEARN TO QUILT - QUESTIONS, TIPS & TUTORIALS ‹ Hand and Machine Applique and go to the thread "Thread for Applique" you will see that there was a pretty extensive discussion on the topic.

I use both YLI and Monopoly now and in both cases bring the tension down to zero for the top thread and use Superior Bottom Line in the bobbin. Because I have a Bernina 830, I thread the bobbin for embroidery, thereby tightening the bobbin tension. Depending on what machine you have, your bobbin case might have a little metal tail through which you pass the thread to add tension. Hope this helps!

[Lois B.]

thank you Lois. I give all credit to my daugter the artist and the Esterita Austin who taught me the technique. Do you have any tips on invisible machine applique? I am using the YLI (I think) not polyester but monofilment thread, but my machine seems to tangle the thread down below and it did break. Maybe the tension needs adjustment. I am using 50 weight cotton thread in the bottom. It worked in a class I took. The bias tape is thicker than regular applique I think though. Jan

All I remember is that I used Maderia monofilament. It's what I had and have never had trouble with it. I used Superior Bottom Line in the bobbin. I don't remember monkeying with the tension but I may have. It was nearly a year ago that I did that project.
Good luck.

[Lois B.]

/thanks, Lois. I have a quilt show to attend and will look for Maderia thread. I haven't seen it lately at any quilt shops around me. I have bottom line but not in black I think. But I should check. Jan

[Rita C.]

This may not be what you are looking for Jan but if you cut 3/8" bias strips you could make a narrower binding with needle-turn applique. It actually sews up a lot quicker than you think and it will give you strips of about 1/8". and the stitching would be invisible particularly if you are using black thread on black fabric. Just a suggestion.

[Terry K.]

Renata, the first photo I posted was of just the top. So I hadn't quilted it at that time.

Jan, when I attached the bias tape, I used a double needle which sewed both sides at the same time. Double needles come in different widths so you need to take your bias tape with you to see which size is going to be best for you. I actually purchased the one I thought was the right size and then one that was one size smaller so I'd be covered if the larger one was actually was too big! If I'm appliqueing with monofilament thread--YLI is okay; but Maderia's monofilament or Superior's extra fine monofilament thread is better.The last two threads are finer than YLI so it camouflages better.

I set my tension to 0 and I use a size 70 needle. . .or the smallest needle that will stitch without the thread breaking. I use a zigzag that is about .5 wide by 1 long which is a tiny stitch. I often use sew bob http://www.sewfancy.com/threads-bobbin.htm in the bobbin. I also have used Aurafil or the old Masterpiece which are 50wt 2 ply threads; but bottom line would work too.

As for the thread twisting off the spool, try using a thread sock http://not-just-threads.com/item_100/ThreadSocks.htm Superior Threads has some Handy Nets for use on larger cones. Also, I will use a thread stand to make sure the thread is coming off the top of the spool.

I hope all the information helps you!

[Terry K.]

Wow, that is a lot of information and should help a lot. I never thought of using a double needle.
I took a class by Harriet Hargrave who liked monofilament better than Superior's Monopoly for some reason. I think the polyester may not iron well. One of them dissolves I think. Any way I have both. Is a smoke color what you used? Thank you so much, Terry.
Rita, that may be what I do is sew it all down by hand. My machine can be a pain because it is an embroidery machine. I ironically don't care to do embroidery. THe saleslady said the machine would quilt. But in classes people comment about it being unsuitable.
The stitch I learned to use on my machine for applique is a stretch zigzag. The buttonhole stitch on my machine doesn't have the settings for smaller stitches as I recall. \
Suzanne Marshall in her episode here uses a piece of cloth cut on the bias from a square. Then she irons it with one fold at 1/4" along the bias cut. THen she irons it again with another fold to make it the size she wants. She sews a running stitch along it to baste it and cuts the excess off the back and voila there's your bias, made without any hassle because the extra cloth stabilizes it while you make it. The only thing is I'd have to iron it at 1/8" to start with. Rita do you use bias bars or anything like that? Or is it not that bad to iron it into a strip anyway? If you use bias bars I think you sew it along one side, cut off the excess and turn it so the seam is not showing.
I had trouble with Suzanne's method, I accidentally cut the strip when I was cutting off excess.
I would love to find a domestic machine that could do a nice quilting stitch and do applique and was not too expensive. A long harp would be nice too. I'd love to have a Bernina. In that class Harriet H suggested trying to find an old Bernina mechanical machine that someone was getting rid of. Only troulble is nobody wants to part with them. And they are not inexpensive either. They keep their worth or maybe increase in worth over time.

[Terry K.]

I have a quilt show to attend today. Did that put a happy smile on me?? Last week I could have gone to one but I kept myself from going for various virtuous reasons. We are lucky around here to have a lot of shows. I'd better do some good things around the house though. And keep up with what needs to be done. The gym gets a pass I think.

[Rita C.]

Jan, here are a few photos of how I do it. I have deliberately used contrasting thread so that you can see it more clearly. You have to cut your fabric on the bias at 3/8". Then you use a running stitch to attach it. Cutting it on the bias means that you can manipulate it any way you want to. The fabric you use would also have a bearing on this. I usually use batiks for needle turn as it is easier to manipulate without getting any stray threads.


Next you finger press the fabric over the stitched line. And then using your needle and thumb you fold the fabric under towards the inside and stitch down with small stitches. Try to catch the underside of the bias strip when you come back up through the background fabric and then your stitches will barely show.


When you have finished you can press it with an iron, but this is what it looks like without pressing. It measures 1/8".


You could make the strips narrower by using 1/4" bias strips. Hope that helps. And have a good day at the show.

[Rita C.]

Wow, Rita that looks fun. Nice pictures.
I just organized my sewing drawer. What a mess. Zippers I bought for hardly anything, all colors and sizes. What am I going to do with all the stuff that I've accumulated. Embroidery floss, ribbons of all sorts, etc. Now they are all together by category. I did find some Madiera, and Monopoly to try using.
And the Monopoly takes the heat according to a paper that came with it.
So I don't probably need to buy anything at the quilt show. Maybe some Bottom Line in black. Maybe I should do a lot at home today and then go tomorrow morning. There is so much to do around my house. I only work one day a week and my husband gets frustrated that I don't do more.
I feel really guilty about this pasttime. The only thing is that being creative keeps me more sane. My mother says it's a good thing.

[Rita C.]

I found a fusion of Terry's and Rita's techniques that might work. I could do the cutting and basting you do Rita and then sew it down with my machine. I was practicing with my crazy machine and it did a nice applique stitch with sulky bobbin thread on top and 50 weight black thread in the bottom. I have so much thread and I keep obsessing about how it goes bad.( I bought some 50wt cotton thread( I think recently) and it kept breaking in my machine so I guess it should go in the trash. )

[Rita C.]

Jan you should go to the quilt show because it is food for the soul, as is your hobby/pasttime. You don't have to buy anything just look at all the loveliness and talk to people who share your interest. House cleaning should be kept to the minimum and quilting should be kept to the maximum, that's what I think.

[Lois B.]

Rita, Your pictures make me want to give needle turn applique a try. And Jan, I am with you on being so much more drawn to the sewing room than to housework. Although I must say when the house is looking good I am in a more creative frame of mine. When things start heading from being a bit untidy toward chaos I start bribing myself. I give myself a certain amount of time in the sewing room everytime I knock something off the "To Do" List. I just can't make myself do a whole day of household chores. It makes me very grumpy. Balance. It's so hard to maintain.

[Catherine S.]

Jan, go to the quilt show today. Run, do not walk! It is good for the soul, therapy for a low cost, and will make you happy. Happiness is very important. You've heard the old saying "If momma ain't happpy ain't nobody happy! :lol: I too would rather quilt than clean. That being said I will go sweep and mop the kitchen and dining areas. An eleven month old crawling on the floor really shows when it needs mopping! She had black knees this morning! ops: I will hurry with that chore and then get to the sewing machine. :lol:

[Terry K.]

Jan, I hope that you went to the quilt show! With the double needle, I used a black 50 wt 2 ply thread made by Aurafil. Superior's new monopoly and Maderia's monopoly are a much finer thread than YLI's product so it hides easily. I've steamed and pressed both and haven't had a melting problem. Although, I am careful with the iron.

Rita, what a wonderful demo!

[Rita C.]

Thanks Lois and Terry.