McKenna Ryan's patterns

[Lana S.]

Has anyone made a quilt from a McKenna Ryan pattern? They are so beautiful and so detailed, but I've been
working on "Dog Park" and am having a very difficult time. It's all fusible. She recommends Steam A Seam Lite (which
I used) and suggests using monofilament thread on top (color of back thread in the bottom) and so far, it's not going
very well. Getting very frustrated. I think the problem lies in mutiple layers of applique and then trying to machine quilt
through all the layers of fusible! I have the correct needle, I have the correct thread and it's so difficult. I'm not a pro,
but I have made several quilts, have used fusible before and have not had this much difficulty. My needle is getting
"all gunked up" as well. One needle broke. The quilt as it stands right now is very very cute and I'm very happy with
my choice of fabrics, etc. I guess I just wanted to vent or if someone out there has any suggestions or comments I would
appreciate it. I just hate it that I followed the directions to the letter and now it is looking like an impossible task.
Help!!!!!!

[ANNE E.]

Hi Lanajoyce,
I have always found monofilament difficult to use. I think you have to get the tension just right.
I haven't had any trouble with Steam-a-Seam Lite gunking up the needle.
Sorry I can't give any real advice.....maybe one of our TQS family has more experience with it.
Good luck
Anne

[wendy w.]

You'll have some of the steam a seam that was produced while the paper was being sorted. I would abandon it and use bondaweb or something. I've found that using a big eye needle like metallic or topstich 80/12, loosening the top tension and slowing down helps with monofilament. The superior monofilament is very good. Painful to lose fabric but sewing with gunk is not good.

I love those patterns, I hope you'll show us

[Lana S.]

Thanks for your advice! I can't imagine this Steam A Seam being that old. I just bought it at JoAnn's.
However, I think your idea of using a metallic needle 80/12 might be the answer. I was going with
a smaller needle thinking I didn't want big holes in the applique, but that probably made it harder for
the needle to pierce a few layers of fabric and also fusible. I have used Steam A Seam before on quilts
with applique and it turned out great. I think the real problem is the multiple layers of fabrics (with Steam
A Seam). I was following the pattern instructions. I don't know how McKenna Ryan quilted her project. I'm
not really having a problem with the monofilament thread (have used it several times before), but it just
might be the several layers and the needle is too small (it is a topstitch). And the quilt top is finished and
now I'm quilting it so beginning again is probably not an option. I do thank you for all your info and
suggestions. Have you ever made a quilt using McKenna Ryans' patterns?

[wendy w.]

It was only last year when it went dodgy for a while. But agree its not a time to reverse when you're quilting. Someone else may have a tip but perhaps clean needle with white spirit occasionally.
I've made the odd block or used elements from the patterns, have fun

[Anne B.]

I have made her quilts before as well as other raw edge applique before. The things that work for me is I will use Liquid Thread by Beacon instead of Steam a Seam. Steam a Seam just makes everything way too stiff! Watch episode 1303, with Grace Errea, that's where she talks about this great glue. Another thing that I do is I never use invisible thread....it's way too infuriating trying to get that too work right for me. I have a rather extensive thread collection and I will free motion or edge stitch my designs. Good luck!

[Lana S.]

Thank you so much for this interesting solution. Never heard of that before! I will definitely try that glue the next applique - raw edge quilt that I make!
I really don't have any problems with the invisible thread. I buy mine from Superior Thread (polyester, not nylon) and so far it has worked for me (except
this time and it's not the thread's fault). I have started doing the stitching around the other appliques (trees, bushes, grass, etc.) and using a larger needle
and regular thread; so far that is working. I'm just dreading trying to do the applique stitching around the dogs. There are several layers, which does
make the applique very interesting with all the different fabrics, etc., but a real bear to stitch around. Wish me luck! Again, thanks to all for their insight!

[Nancy R.]

I had trouble using invisible thread, especially Superior's, until I worked on my setup for feeding the thread. Superior was a bigger problem originally because they put the thread on really heavy spools so you can't use them on the regular spindle because the weight of the spool would cause the thread to stretch. So, I moved the thread off of the machine and feed it from the top. I had to do this with Superior's thread, but it works well with other invisible threads, too, whether polyester or nylon. I put a thread net around the spool or cone to keep the thread from sliding off and getting tangled. Then I run the thread through 2 packing peanuts, separated by the guide on my spool holder. The peanuts keep the thread from kinking up and getting hung up. With this setup, I've been able to quilt with invisible thread with absolutely no problems. Here's a picture of my setup:



Of course, you also need to adjust your tension which usually needs to be looser.

[Judith A.]

Nancy,
Wow! I am going to try this. My Janome did fine with invisible thread, but I have a lot of trouble trying to use it on my Bernina.

Thanks,
Judy