What are your favorite threads and does thread..?

[Betty J.]

Jan, I think everyone gave you enough good advice on the threads. I buy most of mine and my needles online mostly from Superior when they have them on sale. I hope you have a walking foot. If you do, there are a whole host of interesting things being done with straight line/walking foot quilting now, so I encourage that direction, but also try some practice on the stippling/free motion direction. There are some wonderful shows and classes on this site for helping with the quilting. Cheers.

[Betty J.]

Hi, I do have a walking foot which recently came apart. The bottom of the foot is attached by two little pegs. I put it back on but haven't tried it again.

[Betty J.]

Here is a good blog about straight line quilting with a walking foot and why it helps: https://themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/100-day-week-of-quilting-straight-line-quilting-tips-and-tricks/
Also, take advantage of these shows here on TQS: I don't know what machine you have, but even if it isn't a Bernina, the Bernina videos have some helpful hints, there is one on using a walking foot when quilting. And remember you can even use decorative stitches to quilt with your walking foot. I mark my quilts with Crayola washable markers that wash out beautifully when I do the blocking wash at the end. Hope you find quilting really fun in the future. It only takes persistence and practice.

[Nancy R.]

Hi Rosemary -

The first knot you describe is the one that I've always heard called the "spit knot". It's the one that I was taught by my mother (who was taught by her mother, who was taught by her mother.....) and is the one that I use most often. They call it the spit knot because you often lick your fingers first to get a better hold of the thread. The second knot you describe is the one that I've always heard called the "quilter's knot". My understanding is that it's the knot most favored by hand quilters because you can control the size of the knot better. At least, that's where I learned it. I don't think I've ever heard a name for your third knot, but it's the one I use most often on my quilting tails before burying them. I use the needle to help place the knot to have better luck with getting the second knot on top of the first. I was taught to use the quilter's knot in this situation, but that knot has never felt natural to me, probably because I wrap the thread too tightly around the needle. Oh well, as with everything you have to find what works for you....