Quilters Threads Newsletter
 October 15, 2007

http://www.quiltersthreads.com

Announcements
Send us your quilt photo. Maybe you will be quilter of the month. Info@quiltersthreads.com We are looking for sites who would like to exchange links. Please email us if you are interested. info@quiltersthreads.com

Hints From Diane

 

Let's add a label. OK, I will admit, I am guilty. I get in a rush and either do not think about it or  decide it won't make a difference if I do not put a label on that quilt. But what if that antique quilt that you saw last week had a label on it with the name of the artist and the year it was made. What about that quilt you found with your husband's mother's things? Where did it come from?
We have more than one such quilt in our family. One came from my ex-husband's family. My youngest daughter and I have always loved this quilt. Annie Copeland a friend and quilt appraiser tells me that is was made around 1911. How could that be? One side of his family came to Canada by way of England in 1910, I cannot imagine that they immediately sat down and made a quilt. The other side was struggling with German occupation in Lithuania not long after this time. They did not have the means to make a quilt even if it had occurred to them. Wouldn't it be nice if that unknown quilt maker had put a label on the quilt or even signed her name.
Some ideas to label your quilt:
At the very least, pick up a permanent pen and sign and date it on the back. Iron the ink to set it.

Play with the fonts and clip art on your computer and learn to print out a printed label on fabric. Either use pre-treated  fabric you can buy or print it on washed cotton fabric that is ironed to freezer paper to feed it through the printer. As long as you wash it first, you can use any cotton fabric

Here is an example of a label that I made in MS Word

I just bought a very pretty section of fabric yardage that has pre-made labels on it.

Equilter has a number of these fabrics  at http://www.equilter.com

You can also buy pre-made labels. We have some for wedding quilts..
Here is my hint for quilt labels, using a pre-made label, one that you printed, or just a square of fabric. When you have finished entering your information iron the ink to make it set. Cut another piece of fabric the same size as your label. Be sure that you allow for s seam allowance. Right  sides together stitch a seam 1/4 inch from the edge all round, Cut a slit in the backing fabric and turn the label right side out with the label front on one side and the backing on the other. Iron this flat. Stitch around the edge with hand stitching to attach it to the quilt. It is a good idea to put it on before you quilt. Then the quilting provides extra security against a thief ripping off the label.

There is nothing that says a quilt label has to be in the lower corner. If you cut a little hole in your backing along the way, or have a section that you would like to cover, that is a fine place for a label.

Let's Talk About Thread
I get quite a few emails and calls asking what thread someone should use. Well, it all depends. There are really no hard rules, but I will be offering this two part series on thread decision making. I have been working on this for some time, giving a lot of thought. Of course, I always love calls to discuss thread choice. Call me at our toll free number if you need an opinion. This chart will be on our web site when I complete it. This is the second half of the chart and a sneak preview. Please remember that this is just a guideline based on my experience and that the recommended products list in each category is just a guideline and not a complete list.
Use Questions to Consider Choices Suggestions  
Piecing What strength do I need? Quite strong, the quilt will have a lot of stress Superior cotton threads, YLI cotton, Superior So Fine  
Not really a consideration Use anything you like

Strong enough to last through normal usage

 Anything but rayon, be careful about invisible nylon threads which may get brittle.
   
  Is thread compatible with the fabric? Not really a consideration, cotton fabric does not require cotton thread    
  What thickness should I use?

A less than 30 weight

 Where fabric may be heavier (such as canvas, heavy denim)

Where the quilter wants the stitches to be highly visible (such as in sashiko)

For other decorative purposes where a heavy decorative line is desired.

  
30 weight This is the traditional weight your grandmother used. Used for almost everything at one time. Appropriate for garment sewing, home decoration products.
40 weight This is the heaviest weight of what are becoming the most used of quilting threads. For purposes like making quilts for kids or utility quilts. For most general purpose household quilting.
50 weight A finer thread, often very strong depending on the particular fiber content and spinning methods. This thread excels at piecing, here it takes up less of the seam as well as quilting where the quilter wants to do very detailed designs  Ideal for smaller quilting motifs.
60 weight Thread most often used as bobbin threads, yet there are stronger versions that are being used for piecing, where it allows for a very supple seam. The very intricate designs of Diane Gaudynski are often done in these fine weight as are sheer thread painting effects.
         
Embellishment What degree of shine do I want? Like metal Use the heavier weight metallics or the sliver type threads  
A nice sparkle The metallic threads sold by Superior, YLI, Madeira, etc. for machine embroidery.
Just a little sparkle The best for this is undoubtedly the Madeira black core thread. Most manufacturers have thread that have a little sparkle in it in different weights, YLI Candlelight is an example as is Halo by Superior Threads
Luminescent glow  Polyester or rayon threads. Such as the Sulky line of rayons, Madeira polyneon,
None Cotton thread, monofilaments
   
  What color variety do I need I just quilt kids for kids or utility quilts, very traditional Decide if you want to add more contrast to you quilt or have your stitches blend in. Use a gray thread to blend into all cool colors and a light beige to blend into most warm colors If the blend in option is yours. Pick a thread that you and your machine like and but cones to take advantage of pricing and to run out less often  
Traditional, but I like to add additional artistic touches. Go for threads with a lot of color variety, all different weights for different effects. The Madeira polyneon and the many Superior polyester threads (Rainbow, Nature Color, Highlight,) have a glow and many colors.
King Tut has a matte finish which blends in, Masterpiece which is cotton also has a luminescence.
Don't forget the metallics, the thicker threads like Perfect Quilter and Jeans Stitch by YLI more special effects.

 

 
More contemporary style quilts Anything goes
  Is there a special application involved? Do you need to do temporary stitching and then replace it with other threads. Ricky Tims pre-quilts his patterns with water soluble threads  and then quilts over the threads, often from the back to use larger threads Water soluble threads  
Machine trapunto can be done with water soluble thread.
Baste a quilt before machine quilting
Baste in machine applique
    Have the stitches disappear after they are stitched, but still hold the pieces together. Fusible thread that melts and fuses with ironing  
Embroidery What amount of fill do I want? To some extent thicker threads fill better. 40 or 30 weight threads, such as King Tut, Madeira Polyneon 40, Sulky 40 weights and 30 weights  
Threads with a little fuzz on them fill better, but require to you clean your machine more often. YLI Woolly Nylon, YLI Monet
 
Does the pattern call for a specific weight thread? 12 weight thread Sulky 12, Perfect Quilter (17)  
30 weight thread YLI Jeans Stitch,  28 Mako Cotton , Superior Art Studio Colors
40 weight Lots of choices, Superior King Tut, Madeira Polyneon 40 weight,
YLI Machine Quilting, Superior Polyester Threads (Highlight, Nature Colors, etc.), Madeira 40 weight threads, Sulky 40 weight rayons and cottons, Aurifil Mako 40 and a number of the metallic threads which are not usually labeled with weights, but are usually of comparable thickness.
50 weight thread Superior Threads Masterpiece. Aurifil Mako 50,  Superior So Fine
60 weight thread Superior Bottom Line, Madeira Polyester 60, many bobbin threads available
Bobbin Threads Definitely take advantage of these fine, strong threads and change your bobbin less often as well as put less bulk on the back of your embroidery
  Is there a special effect that I want?  Shine There is a discussion above on the degree of shine, but the shiniest are the slivers such as Superior Glitter  and Sulky Slivers, the metallics are number 2, in shiniest. Many manufacturers have metallics. The most highly recommended by Diane are YLI fine metallics, Superior Glitter Holograms, Superior Metallics, Yenmet and the less shiny but wonderful Madeira "blackcore"  
Matte Matte threads have no shine. Gutermann cottons, Superior King Tut, YLI quilting threads are examples
Glow in the Dark Superior makes 4 colors of glow in the dark threads. Be prepared to make trips to the closet with your grandkids to check these out.
Fluorescence Very bright intense colors. Some times a touch of a fluorescent in thread painting or embroidery really accents the piece,
Variegated Really add texture and interest to your embroidery or quilting. There are two basic types, some like Superior Rainbows have regular color intervals (in this case 1" intervals), others have irregular intervals for this. I prefer the irregular intervals for satin stitching and wither for machine quilting. Believe it or not, variegated does not accent your uneven stitches, but rather helps to camouflage them.  

Discussion continues in November 1 newsletter. This chart will be posted to our web site. Check for it under articles.

As a quilter of about 60% traditional quilts, if I were limited to 12 threads, these are the ones I would choose

Superior Threads Masterpiece - light beige Vanish water soluble thread
Superior Threads Masterpiece SewArt International invisible thread
Superior Threads Bottom Line natural white or pale yellow One of the Superior Threads Masterpiece purples
Superior Threads Bottom Line sage green (this thread blends beautifully A variegated thread with a selection of colors that I favor when I quilt
Superior Threads So Fine black Superior Threads Glitter Silver Hologram
YLI Silver Blue metallic thread A second variegated thread

What would you choose.?

New Contest

Try this contest! Buy a panel of the Norwegian Waterfront Scenes  (or more than one)  from us and develop a way to use it or embellish it. We are selling these panels in cooperation with the artist Eldrid Røyset Førde. We would like you to buy your panels from Eldrid if you are in Europe. Http://www.kameleonquilt.com Michele Potter of Not Just Threads at Potter's Paradise http://www not-just-threads.com is selling them in Canada. Buy the panel from any of us and Quilter's Threads will still send you another panel when you enter the picture of your item in our contest. We are looking for more distributors so if you are interested in selling them for us, please let info@quiltersthreads.com know and we will give you the details

Prizes will be given for the most original use and for the best embellishment.

Once again, when we receive your contest entry picture (email to info@ quiltersthreads.com) we will send you a second panel of your choice free.

First place winners will receive $100 worth of thread or goods from our web site. Second place winners will receive a $20 gift certificate. All entries submitted can be used by Quilter's Threads or Kameleon Quilts in promoting this product.

 
Pattern for the back of my jacket (above) I am going to add more quilting and some beading, but after I tried for 45 minutes to thread the sewing machine needle. I decided tonight was not the night. The lovely batik strip on the front of the jacket is one that I bought when I was with Eldrid. The pattern on the strip is an orange peel type pattern and when I can thread the needle, that will be the pattern I will stitch in the open pink areas.  
**Look for me at Quilt Market in Houston. I will be wearing this jacket unless it is too hot and then I will carry it with the back design showing. If you ask me the question "Aren't you from Quilter's Threads?" you will receive a $10 gift certificate to our online store. http://www.quiltersthreads.com . I will have a limited supply but about 30 people can get this little gift from us. I LOVE making people happy!**  

Eldrid has put more information about where the photographs for these panels come from and how she got the inspiration for the digital enhancement on her web site.

There is a series of 8 inch X 10 inch  panels available. There are 6 unique views. They are suitable for inclusion in needlework and for framing. I am going to do both with mine

The panels are $12 each. They are made by professionally printing photographs that have been made and manipulated by a true artist on a non-shiny cotton sateen fabric. We will be adding watercolor prints of these this next month,

 

All the panels can be seen under gifts or Fabric Packs at http://www.quiltersthreads.com/gifts.html

Quilt of the Month
Sorok by Melisse Laing

Isn't this quilt amazing?

When I received this picture, the artist sent me the following information:

Attached is a picture of one of my art quilts. “Sorok” is currently hanging in The Wichita National All-Media Craft Exhibition 2007 at The Wichita Center for the Arts in Wichita, Kansas – through 10/21/07.  Here it is show hanging at a 2005 exhibition at The American Art Company in Tacoma, WA.

“Sorok”

62”w x 72 ½”h

$4,500.00

Hand-dyed fabrics, machine collaged, pieced & quilted – joined with torched chain

One of my collage series

More of my work can be seen at www.artontheboulevard.org and www.contemporaryquiltart.com

Melisse's Artist Statement

I approach the design and construction of my quilts much as an artist approaches a canvas. Each quilt is made up of individual pieces and/or blocks, but I visualize it in its entirety. Although my work is rooted in traditional quilt making, I continually strive to create works that break the established mold.
 I usually work in a series with each quilt unique but building on a theme. I collage and piece improvisationally cotton and silk fabrics that I have dyed myself. I quilt by machine, using lines that enhance the piecing or tell a story on their own.
Many sources of inspiration and influences have shaped my pursuit of art in an unrecognized medium. Workshops have helped me develop expertise in dyeing and painting. Noted teachers “push” me to cultivate my own artistic style.
My newest quilts incorporate three-dimensional and unusual materials – burnished chain, paper, computer printing and found objects. They are leading me to new forms, and I find myself constantly asking the question, "What if…?"

 		 About the artist

Melisse lives in Battle Ground, Washington. She has been quilting for 30+ years. She describes herself as a full-time art quilter – other than also being a wife, infrequent gardener, singer (in a community choir), writer and mother of 2 grown daughters. She tells me that she is the only quilter whose work is in Art on the Boulevard, the largest fine arts gallery in SW Washington (located in Vancouver, WA). You can see her work on-line at www.artontheboulevard.org and also on Washington’s Contemporary QuiltArt Association website – www.contemporaryquiltart.com  Melisse writes a twice-monthly column, called Stitches and Stuff, about all aspects of quilting, sewing & crafts & which runs in The Daily News, Longview, WA. Her work has been juried into exhibitions around the US. Her email says that she has just finished remodeling her in-home studio giving her more space, great light, lots of storage and a 15-foot-wide design wall – a long-awaited desire. Melisse's husband is a retired civil engineer, and their daughters and husband/fiancé live in Big Fork, Montana, & Seattle. Melisse, I hope you will give me a call next time you are in our area!
Inability to Think and Water Soluble Thread

Many of you know that I suffer from Fibromyalgia. I have much of it under a degree of control. However, pieces of it sometimes overwhelm me and I just have to live with it and kind of go with the flow. Having thought I would never live a real life again, I cannot tell you what a miracle every day is for me.  Of course I live with pain, but acupuncture and pain management techniques make that bearable most of the time. The hardest two things to live with are the overwhelming fatigue that has made me take a nap on the floor of my son's office or made me have to go home in the middle of an activity to crash on my bed with my coat and shoes on, and the confusion factor which sometimes makes it completely impossible for me to think clearly or to have good language recall. So if you have a friend with this disease you may see these symptoms from time to time or perhaps all the time. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see the new ad on TV that is advertising Lyrica. It is about people suffering from the disease  So many years of denial by much of the medical community with acquaintances telling you that there is no such thing as this disease is finally been rectified, but only slowly.

I am not telling you this to get sympathy, but rather I want you to tell friends that there is hope if they keep looking. But the main point is to introduce this next stupid tale. I always add a warning to label your water soluble thread. I have had one problem with it before so I always write a WS on my bobbins and on the inside of the spools or cones. Unfortunately, I still have not had my cataract surgery (now scheduled for November 13). I have way too much on my plate, I was hurrying and I was tired and I did not see the WS. So I satin stitched the pig on my baby quilt pattern sample with water soluble thread in the bobbin. As if that were not bad enough, I still had thread in the bobbin so I pieced with it until I had to rewind bobbin thread on it.

It turned out really great. I was very pleased with it and as is my usual habit, I washed it so it would have a more cuddly look. What a surprise when I took it out of the washer. It was accompanied by many yards of unraveled thread and loose pieces of applique, seams gaped here and there where the thread was missing from the seams. I was so bummed!

I put it aside until the next day and then satin stitched the pig back down, not an ideal solution as the satin stitch now also shows on the back and added stitching where seams were gaping.

When I did it  several years ago, I pieced with it and caught the problem when the steam from ironing my pieces dissolved the thread. At least that was easier to fix.

Why can't we buy different colors of plastic or metal bobbins? Having several different machines, it would also help me to keep my bobbins straight,

If you have an idea how I can keep from doing this again, send it to me at info@quiltersthreads.com . I will pick the 2 best solutions, add them to the next newsletter and send you a little surprise from me.

A little bit more about discovering yourself to be handicapped. People stop me when I put my pass in the window of my truck and park in a handicapped slot to tell me that the parking place is for handicapped people only. While I appreciate them trying to make the spots available for those who need it, people do not always look handicapped you know! I politely tell them that I would be happy to give them the pass if they take the pain along with it.  I just wish that people who put handicapped parking a couple of hundred  feet from the door to the business, or who put the pharmacy at the back of the store, and those who make people stand in line at the post office to mail certain types of packages, and who seat people in restaurants escorting the elderly or those with mobility problems to the back of the restaurant past open tables, could walk in the shoes of people with limited stamina or those to whom each step is a journey of pain. You would not believe the things you never noticed before until you have to deal with them.

Having limited eyesight recently because of my cataracts makes me think how very difficult life must be for people who have poor vision. Falling because of unmarked curbs, unable to thread a needle, unable to see well enough to tell exactly where you are. Amazing experiences that make you more aware of other people's lives.

This is not meant to be a downer, but rather an eye opener. Think of all the incredible things people with handicaps accomplish in the way of day to day living and in the way of amazing achievements. My hat goes off to all those who make the effort to make a difference in this world. Thank you from the rest of us.

I took a short stroll in my neighborhood this afternoon and here is what I saw.

It was late afternoon thus the beautiful soft colors. An email list of dear friends has a non-contest contest each year where you try to take a photo every day of something and post it. Really a great idea, no matter my mood, taking a few pictures moves me into a different state/

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